Raval

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Raval / रावल

Raval is the appearance place of Radhika, who is the embodiment of mahabhav, the essence of Shri Krishna's pleasure potency. She is also Shri Krishna's svarupa-Shakti, or internal energy. Only by great fortune will someone desire to visit this holy place, and reverentially touch and remember it. The pastime of Radhika's appearance in this world is narrated differently in different eras (kalpa-bhed).

"O new moon arisen from the ocean of Vrishabhanu Maharaja, O dear most friend of Lalita, O You who have enchanted and made Vishakha happy with Your qualities of friendship, compassion and loyalty to Krishna."

Radhika is most loved by Her father Vrishabhanu Maharaj. For this reason, devotees usually refer to Her as "Vrishabhanu-nandini" (the daughter of Vrishabhanu Maharaja). Very few call Her "Kirtida-nandini" (the daughter of Kirtida-devi). The word raval means "an influential landlord". This place is named after Shri Vrishabhanu Maharaj, who was a most influential landlord.

Story

Once, in the early morning, when Vrishabhanu Maharaj went to bath in the Yamuna, he saw in the water a radiant lotus flower of one hundred petals. In the middle of that flower lay a beautiful small baby, Radhika Herself. He tenderly lifted Her into His arms and took Her home, where he placed Her in the lap of his wife Kirtida. Sometimes Radhika appears in Barsana, where every morning, Shri Vrishabhanu Maharaj goes to Vrishabhanu Kund. On one such morning he found Radhika on a lotus flower in the kund. It other eras this takes place at Raval. Shri Narad knew that the possessor of all powers, Bhagvan Shri Krishna, already had appeared on this earth and concluded that the embodiment of Krishna's complete potency, Radhika, must have surely appeared here also. He proceeded to search for Her high and low. He finally arrived at the house of Vrishabhanu Maharaja.
"Do you have a child?" Narad asked him.
"Yes, I have a son named Shridham."
"Do you also have a daughter?" Narad asked.
"Yes, we also have a daughter."
"I want to see Her and bless Her." Narad said, "I also want to do Her horoscope."
Vrishabhanu Maharaja became delighted and brought out his baby girl. Narad then asked him to fetch the necessary items to bless the child and do Her horoscope. As soon as he had left the room, Narad turned to Radhaji and began to pray, "Kaki karisyasiha main kripa-kataksa-bhajanam – O young daughter of Vrishabhanu, when will You bless me with Your merciful glance?"
Then, Radhaji, along with Lalita, Vishakha and Her other sakhis gave Narad darshan of Her eternal form as a fresh youth. Upon beholding this form, Shri Narad became overwhelmed with ecstatic, transcendental bliss.
The desire to become a maidservant of Radhika awakens in the heart of one who comes to this place, hears pure Vaisnavas speak hari-katha here and touches its sacred dust.