Radharani: The Queen of Devotion

In the illustrious pantheon of Vaishnavism, Srimati Radharani stands unparalleled as the embodiment of pure devotion and divine love. Her exalted position in the spiritual realm and her profound influence on the path of bhakti-yoga make her an integral figure in the philosophy and practice of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). This blog aims to delve deep into the glories of Radharani, exploring her divine qualities, pastimes, and the profound spiritual lessons we can derive from her exemplary devotion to Lord Krishna.

Who is Radharani?

Srimati Radharani, often referred to simply as Radha, is the eternal consort and divine feminine counterpart of Lord Krishna. In the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition, which forms the theological foundation of ISKCON, Radharani is revered as the supreme goddess, the personification of the pleasure potency (hladini-shakti) of Krishna.

According to the teachings of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, as elucidated by the Six Goswamis of Vrindavan, Radha and Krishna are essentially one divine entity. They represent the perfect union of the divine masculine and feminine energies.

“Radha is the full power, and Lord Krishna is the possessor of full power. The two are not different, as evidenced by the revealed scriptures.”

Radharani’s position is unique and unparalleled. She is not just a devotee of Krishna but the personification of devotion itself. Her love for Krishna is so intense and pure that it surpasses all other forms of devotion.

“Srimati Radharani is the most important of all the gopis. Her name is not directly mentioned in Srimad-Bhagavatam because it is too sacred to be expressed openly.”

What are her qualities?

The divine qualities of Srimati Radharani are innumerable and beyond the comprehension of ordinary mortals. However, the great acharyas of the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition have described some of her most prominent qualities. According to Sri Caitanya-caritamrita and other Vaishnava texts, Radharani possesses 25 transcendental qualities. Here are some of the most notable ones:

Maha-bhava-svarupini: Radharani is the embodiment of the highest ecstatic love for Krishna.
Sarva-kanti-sammohini: Her beauty enchants everyone, including Krishna Himself.
Krsna-karuna-bharita: She is filled with compassion for Krishna and His devotees.
Gambhira: She is grave and deep in her thoughts and emotions.
Guru-vatsala: She shows great respect and affection for her elders.
Suvdagdha: She is expert in all arts and skills.
Lalita: She is charming and graceful in all her activities.
Priya-hitaishi: She always acts for the welfare of her beloved Krishna.

Srila Prabhupada elaborates on these qualities in his purport to Sri Caitanya-caritamrita (Adi-lila 4.69):Srila Prabhupada elaborates on these qualities in his purport to Sri Caitanya-caritamrita (Adi-lila 4.69):

“Srimati Radharani is the most beautiful of all Lord Krishna’s beloveds. Her mind, body and words are steeped in love for Krishna. She is the shelter of Krishna’s life, and She is adorned with unparalleled good qualities.”

Divine Appearance of Srimati Radharani

The Puranas relate a story concerning the divine appearance of Shrimati Radharani as follows. One day, Vrishabhanu Maharaja, who was living at Ravel at that time, went to the bank of Yamuna at around noon to take a midday bath.

As he approached the bank of the Yamuna, he saw a golden lotus flower floating on the water and shining brightly like a thousand suns. Vrishabhanu immediately waded into the river and when he came near to the golden lotus flower, he beheld the most beautiful and radiant form of baby girl lying within the petals of the lotus.

At that same moment, Lord Brahma suddenly appeared in the sky and speaking in a grave voice, informed Vrishabhanu that in his previous life, Vrishabhanu and his wife Kirtida had performed great austerities in order to get the consort of Lord Vishnu as their daughter.

Lord Brahma told Vrishabhanu that this girl was the origin of the goddess Lakshmi and that he should take great care of Her. Lord Brahma then placed the baby girl in the arms of Vrishabhanu who became overjoyed, and after taking permission from Lord Brahma, returned to his home.

Seeing the beautiful baby girl shining like millions of autumnal moons, mother Kirtida was overcome with joy and immediately arranged for all kinds of religious rites to be performed and donated thousands of cows to the brahmanas.

At that time baby Radhika was placed in a gem-studded cradle and gently rocked back and forth by all the little girls of the village. Day by day Her luster increased just like the digits of the moon.

Radharani is not just a devotee of Krishna but the personification of devotion itself.

Vamanadeva’s actions, while appearing to cause the conflict, were ultimately aimWithin a short while it was observed that the baby girl made no noise and had not yet opened Her eyes. Vrishabhanu and his wife feared that their baby girl was perhaps blind from birth and also dumb.
At that time, Srila Narada Muni visited the home of Vrishabhanu and informed him that regardless of the girl’s apparent blindness, they should continue with the birth celebrations.

Vrishabhanu therefore made elaborate arrangements for a lavish birth celebration and sent out invitations to all the residents of Ravala and Gokula and especially to his dear friend Nanda Maharaja and his family. On the appointed day, the guests had assembled and the birth celebrations were going on in great jubilation. Nanda Maharaja and Yashoda Mayi had arrived with Rohini and also brought their small children Krishna and Balarama. Kirtida met with Yashoda and told her that she was very happy to have such a beautiful daughter, but was feeling rather distraught because her child was both dumb and blind.

Krishna had just passed His first birthday and was happily crawling around the courtyard on His hands and knees. Arriving at the cot in which Radhika was lying, Krishna held on to the sides and managed to lift himself up, He then peered into the cot where His gaze fell upon the beautiful moon-like face of baby Radhika.
As soon as baby Radhika smelt the exotic fragrance of Krishna’s transcendental body, She immediately opened Her eyes for the very first time, and looked directly at Krishna, who was the first person that She had ever seen.
As Krishna gazed lovingly at baby Radhika, He began smiling ecstatically. Radhika then suddenly began to cry and for the very first time she made a sound.

Vrishabhanu and Kirtida, along with all the assembled Vrajavasis, were overjoyed to find out that their beloved daughter Radhika, was not blind nor dumb after all.
In the Radha-rasa-sudha-nidhi it says. “So powerful is the glancing of Her eyes, that the flute slips from Krishna’s hands, His peacock crown starts to slip, and His yellow shawl becomes displaced as He swoons and falls to the ground. Alas, will I ever get the chance to serve with love and devotion such a person as Radharani.”

Pastimes of Radha and Krishna

The pastimes (lilas) of Radha and Krishna are endless and eternally ongoing in the spiritual realm of Goloka Vrindavan. These divine activities are not mere stories but contain deep spiritual significance, revealing the nature of pure love between the Supreme Lord and His most beloved devotee. Let’s explore some of the most celebrated pastimes in more detail:

The Meeting at Bhandiravana: This marks the first meeting of Radha and Krishna in their youth. As described in the Garga Samhita, when their eyes met, time stood still. Krishna played His flute, and Radha was immediately captivated. This pastime symbolizes the eternal connection between the divine couple and the awakening of spiritual love in the heart of a devotee.
The Boat Lila (Nauka Vihar): On the beautiful Yamuna river, Krishna becomes a boatman to ferry Radha and her gopi friends across. As narrated in the Padma Purana, Krishna intentionally rocked the boat, creating waves to splash water on the gopis. This pastime represents how the Lord creates situations to increase the loving emotions of His devotees.
The Stealing of the Flute: Radha playfully steals Krishna’s flute, leading to a delightful chase through the forests of Vrindavan. This lila, mentioned in the Gita Govinda by Jayadeva Goswami, symbolizes how devotees try to capture Krishna’s attention and love, while Krishna, in turn, allows Himself to be ‘conquered’ by His devotees’ love.
The Divine Swing Festival (Jhulan Yatra): During the monsoon season, Radha and Krishna enjoy swinging together on a flower-decked swing, surrounded by their devotees. The Brahma-vaivarta Purana describes how the gopis take turns swinging the divine couple, singing sweet melodies. This pastime represents the joyful exchange of love between God and His devotees.
The Hiding of the Flute: As described in Vidagdha-madhava by Rupa Goswami, Radha hides Krishna’s flute in her hair, symbolizing how she keeps Krishna eternally captivated by her love. When Krishna searches for His flute, Radha teases Him, intensifying their loving exchange. This lila shows how devotees can ‘control’ the Lord through pure love.
The Dance of Divine Love (Rasa Lila): Perhaps the most famous of all Krishna’s pastimes, the Rasa Lila is described in detail in the 10th Canto of Srimad Bhagavatam. Krishna dances with Radha and the gopis, expanding Himself to be with each of them simultaneously. This pastime represents the ultimate spiritual exchange between God and the soul, where the Lord reciprocates with each devotee according to their unique relationship with Him.
The Separation at Kurukshetra: When Radha meets Krishna at Kurukshetra after a long separation, it exemplifies the intensity of love in separation (vipralambha). As described in Caitanya-caritamrita, Radha’s emotions are so intense that She tries to pull Krishna’s chariot back to Vrindavan with Her own hands. This pastime teaches the depth of spiritual longing and how separation can intensify love.
The Flower Picking Lila (Pushpa Chayan): In the forests of Vrindavan, Radha and Krishna engage in a playful competition of picking flowers, each trying to please the other with their garlands. This pastime, mentioned in the Gita Govinda, represents the mutual exchange of love and service between the Lord and His devotee.
The Disguise Lila: Krishna dresses as a female to be with Radha when her family restricts her movements. This pastime, described in various Puranas, shows the lengths to which the Lord will go to be with His devotees and how love transcends all societal barriers.
The Offering of Betel Nuts (Tambula Seva): Radha prepares and offers betel nuts to Krishna, showcasing her devotional service. The Padma Purana describes how Radha takes great care in preparing the perfect tambula for Krishna’s pleasure. This pastime exemplifies how even the smallest act of service, when done with love, brings immense pleasure to the Lord.
The Colour Festival (Holi Lila): During the spring festival of Holi, Radha and Krishna engage in playfully throwing colors on each other and their friends. This pastime, celebrated in many Vaishnava texts, represents the colorful exchange of divine love and the breaking down of formalities in spiritual relationships.
The Pastimes at Radha Kunda: Radha Kunda, a sacred lake in Vrindavan, is the site of many intimate pastimes between Radha and Krishna. As described by Rupa Goswami in Upadesamrita, Radha Kunda is as dear to Krishna as Radha Herself. Here, the divine couple engage in water sports, exchange love, and enjoy each other’s company in the most intimate setting.

Radharani’s seva to Krishna is the pinnacle of devotional love and sets the standard for all devotees.

Fasting on Vamana Dvadasi in ISKCON: In ISKCON, devotees observe a specific fasting protocol in honor of Vamanadeva.These pastimes are not just historical events but are believed to be eternally occurring in the spiritual world. They serve as meditation points for devotees, helping them deepen their understanding and appreciation of divine love. As Srila Prabhupada often emphasized, contemplating these pastimes can awaken one’s dormant love for God.

“The pastimes of Radha and Krishna are not ordinary activities. They are demonstrations of the Lord’s internal potency, yogamaya. These pastimes are not to be imitated, but they can be appreciated with purified senses and can help elevate one’s consciousness to the spiritual platform.”

Gauranga in the Mood of Radharani

Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, known as Gauranga due to His golden complexion, is considered by Gaudiya Vaishnavas to be the combined form of Radha and Krishna. He appeared to experience and distribute the love that Radharani feels for Krishna. This concept is central to ISKCON’s philosophy:
“Lord Krishna desired to taste the limitless nectarean mellows of the love of one of His multitude of loving damsels [Sri Radha], and so He has assumed the form of Lord Chaitanya. He has tasted that love while hiding His own dark complexion with Her effulgent yellow color. May that Lord Chaitanya confer upon us His grace.”

Srila Prabhupada elaborates on this in his purport:
“Lord Chaitanya is Krishna Himself, but He has taken the mood and complexion of Srimati Radharani. Therefore, to understand the mission of Lord Chaitanya is to understand the highest level of devotional service to Krishna.”

Radharani’s Friends

The gopis of Vrindavan, particularly the ashta-sakhis (eight principal gopis), are Radharani’s closest friends and confidantes. These include Lalita, Vishakha, Chitra, Champakalata, Tungavidya, Indulekha, Rangadevi, and Sudevi. Each of these gopis possesses unique qualities that complement and enhance Radha’s service to Krishna.
Lalita and Vishakha are often mentioned as the closest to Radharani. As described in the Gaudiya Vaishnava texts, they are extensions of Radharani’s own self, always ready to sacrifice their own happiness for Radha’s pleasure.

Srila Rupa Goswami, in his Ujjvala-nilamani, provides detailed descriptions of these gopis and their relationships with Radha. He writes:
“Lalita is the leader of all the gopis. She is always full of enthusiasm to arrange the meeting of Sri Sri Radha and Krishna.”

What Radharani Likes

Radharani’s likes are entirely centered around pleasing Krishna. Her every thought, word, and action is aimed at bringing joy to her beloved. Some of the things that Radharani is particularly fond of include:

Serving Krishna: This is Radharani’s primary and ultimate pleasure.
Decorating Herself for Krishna: She takes great joy in adorning herself with flowers and ornaments to please Krishna.
Cooking for Krishna: Radharani is renowned for her culinary skills and delights in preparing meals for Krishna.
Singing and Dancing: She loves to engage in devotional singing and dancing for Krishna’s pleasure.
Flower Garlands: Radharani enjoys making flower garlands for Krishna.
The Forest of Vrindavan: She loves the natural beauty of Vrindavan, especially the places where she meets with Krishna.
Her Devotees: Radharani is very fond of those who are devoted to her and Krishna.

“Srimati Radharani’s only interest is to make Krishna happy. She finds all Her satisfaction in Krishna’s happiness.”

How She Exemplifies in Her Seva to Krishna

Radharani’s service (seva) to Krishna is the pinnacle of devotional love and sets the standard for all devotees. Her seva is characterized by:

Selflessness: Radharani’s love for Krishna is completely free from any personal desire. She seeks only Krishna’s happiness, even at the cost of her own.
Intensity: Her devotion is unparalleled in its depth and intensity. “The love of Radha and Krishna is like a bottomless ocean. No one can measure its depth.”
Constant Remembrance: Radharani is always absorbed in thoughts of Krishna. Every moment of her existence is dedicated to Him.
Expertise: She excels in all sixty-four arts mentioned in the Vedic scriptures, all for the purpose of serving Krishna.
Surrender: Radharani exemplifies complete surrender to Krishna’s will, the highest principle of bhakti-yoga.
Compassion: Her compassion extends not just to Krishna but to all living entities, inspiring them in their spiritual journey.

“Srimati Radharani is the topmost devotee of Krishna, and Her service attitude is the highest form of devotion. Even Krishna cannot comprehend the intensity of Radharani’s love for Him.”

Inspiration from Srimati Radharani: A Call to Divine Love

As we contemplate the exalted position and divine qualities of Srimati Radharani, let our hearts be touched and our spirits moved to seek Her boundless mercy. Here are some profound lessons we can draw from Her life, each a beacon guiding us on our spiritual journey:

Selfless Love: Radharani’s love for Krishna is completely free from any personal desire. Let us strive to cultivate such selfless devotion, where our only wish is for the Lord’s happiness.
Unwavering Dedication: Despite facing separation and challenges, Radharani’s devotion never wavers. May we find strength in Her example to remain steadfast in our spiritual practices, even in difficult times.
The Power of Service: Radharani finds Her greatest joy in serving Krishna. Let this inspire us to seek opportunities for seva in our daily lives, understanding that service to the Lord is the highest form of worship.
Compassion for All: Radharani’s heart overflows with compassion, not just for Krishna but for all living entities. May we extend this same compassion to all we encounter, seeing the divine spark in every soul.
Intensity of Emotion: The depth of Radharani’s emotions teaches us that spirituality is not a dry, intellectual exercise, but a heart-transforming experience. Let us approach our spiritual life with full emotional involvement.
Humility in Greatness: Despite being the topmost devotee, Radharani remains incredibly humble. May we cultivate this same humility, understanding that all our abilities are gifts from the divine.
The Essence of Surrender: Radharani’s complete surrender to Krishna’s will is the pinnacle of devotion. Let us aspire to surrender our ego, desires, and fears at the Lord’s feet, trusting in His divine plan.
Beauty of Pure Consciousness: Radharani’s consciousness is always absorbed in thoughts of Krishna. May we strive to purify our consciousness, gradually replacing material thoughts with remembrance of the Lord.
Transformative Power of Love: Radharani’s love has the power to control even Krishna. Let this remind us of the transformative power of pure love and devotion in our spiritual journey.

As we reflect on these inspiring aspects of Srimati Radharani’s divine character, may our hearts be filled with a deep longing to receive Her mercy. Let us pray fervently to Her, seeking Her blessings to advance in our spiritual life. By meditating on Her qualities and pastimes, may we become fully absorbed in the ocean of divine love, experiencing the supreme bliss of pure devotion to the Divine Couple, Radha and Krishna.

Radharani’s love for Krishna is completely free from any personal desire.

Conclusion

As we contemplate the exalted position and divine qualities of Srimati Radharani, let our hearts be touched and ouSrimati Radharani stands as the supreme embodiment of divine love and devotion. Her qualities, pastimes, and selfless service to Krishna provide profound inspiration for all spiritual aspirants. As the personification of the highest form of bhakti, she shows us the path to pure, unconditional love for God.
r spirits moved to seek Her boundless mercy. Here are some profound lessons we can draw from Her life, each a beacon guiding us on our spiritual journey:

For devotees in ISKCON and beyond, contemplating and emulating Radharani’s devotion is a powerful means of spiritual advancement. Her life and teachings remind us that the essence of spirituality lies not in ritualistic observances or philosophical speculations, but in developing pure, selfless love for the Supreme Lord.

As we conclude this exploration of Srimati Radharani’s glories, let us remember the words of Srila Prabhupada from his lecture on Radhastami in 1969:
“If we want to approach Krishna, we must take shelter of Srimati Radharani. She is the pleasure potency of Krishna, and only through Her mercy can we develop our dormant love for Krishna.”
May the divine grace of Srimati Radharani illuminate our spiritual path and lead us to the ultimate goal of pure devotional service to Lord Krishna.

Taking this quiz is a wonderful opportunity to deepen your connection with Srimati Radharani. By recalling Her divine qualities and pastimes, you will not only remember what you’ve read but also internalize Her transcendental presence in your heart. Each question will help you meditate on Her unparalleled love for Lord Krishna and inspire devotion within your daily life. Try the quiz, and let it be a way to celebrate Radhashtami by immersing yourself in Her glories, which are the key to unlocking the path of pure bhakti!

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare