Maharaas-The divine dance
The more extensive form of Raas is Maharaas (Devanagari: महारास ISO15919: mahārāsa). It happens once in each kalpa (4.32 billion years).
It is an exceptional pastime of Shri Radha Krishna-the divine couple. During Maharaas Shri Krishna reveals Himself in numerous forms to dance individually with each gopi. Millions of gopis dance simultaneously in perfect rhythm while observing all rules of classical music and dance.
One Krishna between two gopis form a large circle. In the center of that circle Shri Radha and Shri Krishna dance. During Maharaas every thing is divine. The dance, The Divine Couple, gopis, the land, the sky, the moon, the air, the trees, the creepers, the birds and the animals nothing is material.
Maya has no access to anyone of anything in Maharaas. That is why, this pastime is beyond comprehension. Let alone comprehension it is even beyond imagination of every material being.
Shukdev, the greatest gyani of dvapara yuga, could not even verbalize this bliss to Pareekchhit. Let alone describe the bliss of Maharaas, he was unable to pronounce the name of Shri Radha, the chief Goddess of Maharaas.
Shukdev had to complete reciting the entire Bhagavata to Pareekchhit within seven days. If Shukdev Paramhansa were to utter the sweet name of Shri Radha, he would fall unconsciousness in divine ecstasy for six months. Such is the elevated bliss of Her divine name! So, Shukdev completely avoided uttering the word Radha.
At the time of Maharaas, all the devi-devata remain in the sky to behold the ineffable divine pastime. they shower flowers from there on the fortunate souls, who get an opportunity to participate in this divine dance.
Shri Radha is the presiding Deity of this pastime. As per rule of this pastime except Shri Krishna no other male can enter this pastime.
Lord Shankar also reached at Banshi Bat (the place of Maharaas) to seek permission of Shri Radha Rani to attend Maharaas. He was granted the permission to participate if He assumed a female form of a gopi. The bliss of Maharaas was so irrepressible that Lord Shiva became a woman and became famous as Gopeshwar Mahadev.
