Radha Kund and Shyam Kund are not ordinary ponds, but are the holiest kunds on earth. They are non-different from Shrimati Radharani and Shri Krishna. Govardhan Hill is very sacred because Lord Krishna Himself lifted it, but the appearance of Radha Kund and Shyam Kund made it even more sacred.
Srila Rupa Goswami mentioned in his book Nectar of Instruction (Updeshamrita) that Radha Kund is superior to all holy places, including Govardhan, Vrindavan, Mathura, and even Vaikuntha. Therefore, knowing the story of Radha Kund and Shyam Kund’s appearance became very significant for the devotees.
Radha Kund and Shyam Kund Story
The story of Radha Kund and Shyam Kund’s appearance originates from a divine leela or pastime of Lord Krishna in Vraj around 5,000 years ago.
Slaying the Demon Arishtasura
A Ferocious demon named Arishtasura assumed the form of a giant bull with terrifying horns. The demon was sent by King Kans to kill Krishna, and he started creating havoc throughout Vraj. Hearing the distressed cries of the residents, Lord Krishna decided to kill the demon. The Lord grabbed his horns, spun him around, and threw him down multiple times until Arishtasura was defeated and slain.
The Accusation and Creation of Shyam Kund
After the death of Arishtasura by Shri Krishna, Radharani and the gopis told Krishna that He had incurred a sin by killing a bull and they would not touch Him. They told Krishna that only bathing in the river Yamuna would not purify Him. He must bathe in all the sacred rivers for purification.
Instead of traveling to all the holy places, Lord Krishna hit the ground and called the personified deities of all the holy rivers, including Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Saraswati, Kaveri, and Narmada. Their combined waters formed a sacred pond known as Shyam Kund, where Krishna took a bath and became completely cleansed of the sin.
The Digging and Filling of Radha Kund
Shri Krishna invited Radharani and all the gopis to bathe in His Kund, but Radharani refused, assuming his pool was impure because He had washed his sin in it. She decided to create a pure pond of her own. Radharani, along with her sakhis, began digging into a depression carved out by Arishtasura’s hooves, using their bangles to excavate the earth.
To fill the little hollow pond with water, the gopis formed a human chain stretching to Mansi Ganga to fetch water. Even with their continuous efforts, the little pond was not filled. Seeing their dedicated efforts, the personified deities of holy rivers appeared before Radharani and humbly prayed for permission to serve her by filling the pond with their water. Radharani allowed the sacred rivers to flow into the pond, and the pond came to be known as Radha Kund.
Upon witnessing Radha Kund, Lord Krishna proclaimed that it was even more sacred and beautiful than his own Shyam Kund, declaring that he would bathe in it every day. This sacred appearance of Radha Kund and Shyam Kund took place on the eighth day of the dark fortnight of Karttika, known as Bahulashtami.
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Conclusion
The appearance of Radha Kund and Shyam Kund is a part of Radha and Krishna’s pastime. They are the holiest ponds because of having waters from all the sacred rivers, and Radha and Krishna personally bathe in them. Taking a bath in Radha Kund once in a lifetime bestows upon us Radharani’s mercy and grants us the love of Krishna. Therefore, devotees of the Lord always desire to live at Radha Kund.
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