![\"Radha](\"https:\/\/vaishnava-news-network.org\/vaisnava-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Radha-Krishna.jpg\")
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Sri Krishna is Swayam Bhagavan; hence He is absolutely powerful. Srimati Radharani is the crest-jewel of all His beloveds \u2013 therefore She is the absolute Shakti. She is the greatest and the source of all shaktis. She is the whole while all other shaktis are Her parts.<\/p>\n
Sri Narad tells Srimati Radharani in the Patal-khanda of Sri Padma-Puran \u2013 Adi Shankaracharya<\/strong>\u00a0one of the greatest authority o Sanatan dharma has glorified Radharani in Jagannatha astakam:<\/p>\n param-brahmapidah kuvalaya-dalotphulla-nayano \u201cWho is the crown-jewel of transcendence, whose eyes are like the petals of a fully-opened blue lotus, who resides at Nilachala, whose feet are placed on the head of Sesa, who is blissfully immersed in bhakti-rasa, and who derives happiness from embracing the rasa-laden body of Srimati Radhika \u2014 may that Sri Jagannatha-deva be the object of my vision.\u201d<\/p>\n In the\u00a0Padma Purana<\/strong><\/b>, her worship is mentioned in the 7th as well as 20th Chapters of the Bhumikanda (Volume 5 of Translation), in The Radhashtami and Radhadamodara Vrata.<\/p>\n One of the famous Padma Puran verse<\/p>\n \u201cyatha radha priya visnos-tasyah kundam priyam tatha TRANSLATION: \u201cJust as Radha is dear to Lord Krishna, so her bathing place [Radha-kundah] is dear to Him. She alone is His most beloved of all the Gopis.\u201d \u2013 Padma Purana<\/p>\n Radharani was glorified by sage Satyavrata in the famous damodarastakam mentioned in Padma puran.<\/p>\n namas te \u2018stu damne sphurad-dipti-dhamne \u201cO Lord Damodara, I first of all offer my obeisances to the brilliantly effulgent rope which binds Your belly. I then offer my obeisances to Your belly, which is the abode of the entire universe. I humbly bow down to Your most beloved Srimati Radharani, and I offer all obeisances to You, the Supreme Lord, who displays unlimited pastimes.\u201d<\/p>\n Srila Jiva Goswami provides evidence in Krishna Sandarbha anucheda 190.<\/p>\n Srimati Radharani is the most important of all gopis. For among them all she is the queen not only of the forest of Vrindavan but of the entire area surrounding Vrindavan . This is confirmed in the following statement found in the conversation between Narada and Saunaka Rsis in the\u00a0Karthika mahatmaya of the Padma Puran:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201d Being very pleased with Her,Lord Krishna gave Radharani the sovereignty over the forest of Vrindavan and the entire area surrounding it. In this way She became the queen of Vrindavan.\u201d<\/p>\n Srimati Radharani\u2019s sovereignty over Vrindavan is also described in the following Verse found in\u00a0both Skanda and Matshya Puran.<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cVaranasyam visalakshi Vimala Purushottame Rukmini dwaravatyam Ca Radha Vrindavana vane.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201d Durga rules over Varanasi and Vimala Devi presides over Jagannatha Puri. Rukmini Devi is the queen of Dwaraka and in the same way Radharani is the queen of Vrindavan forest.\u201d<\/p>\n That Srimati Radharani is the best of Lord Krishna\u2019s potency is spoken in the following Verse found in\u00a0Brihad Gautamiya tantra spoken by Lord Krishna to lord Balaram:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cSarrvam tattvam paratvam ca tattva trayam aham kila tri tattva ripini shakti\u00a0Radhika mama vallabha<\/em><\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cprakrteh para evaham sapi mac shakti rupini sattvikam rupam asthaya purni ham Brahma chit parah\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBrahmana prarthitah samyak sambhwami yuge yuge taya sardham twaya sadham nasaya devata dhuham\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMy dear,I am the master of three potencies of material cause,material effect and the transcendental potency over material nature . These three potencies are embeded in Radharani who is very dear to me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI am the Brahman, perfect and complete,My form is entirely spiritual and I am above the temporary material energy .just as I am spiritual and above the material nature so is my transcendental potency (Radharani mentioned in the above verse)\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRequested by Brahma , I appear in this material world millenium after millenium accompanied by You accompanied by her(Radha mentioned in the above verse) in order to destroy the enemies of devata and devotees .\u201d<\/p>\n Note: Just for reference those who thinks anything other than Vedas and upanishad are bogus must refer to the below blog:<\/p>\n https:\/\/raganugaprembhakti.wordpress.com\/puranas-are-eternal-as-vedas\/<\/a><\/p>\n In the\u00a0Narada Purana<\/strong><\/b>, (Volume 3), the 89th chapter describes the\u00a0Yugala Sahasranama<\/em><\/i>\u00a0or 1000 names of both Radha and Krishna, where the first 500 names are Krishna\u2019s and the second 500 are Radharani\u2019s names. It also includes, in its Uttarabhaga, a chapter about Vrindavana Mahatmya (Volume 5, Chapter 80), where Sage Narada becomes a gopi in Vrindavana to take part in Srimati Radharani\u2019s Leelas.<\/p>\n In the\u00a0Skanda Purana<\/strong><\/b>, Vaishnava Khanda, Bhagavata Mahatmya talks about Srimati Radharani. The 1st chapter (Volume 6) contains the famous statement, \u201cAtma Tu Radhika Tasya\u201d \u2013 Radharani is Krishna\u2019s soul. The Vasudeva Mahatmya (Volume 7), Chapters 16 and 17 describe Goloka and the manifestation of Radhakrishna for Narada.<\/p>\n In the\u00a0Shiva Purana<\/strong><\/b>, the Yuddhakanda of Rudrasamhita contains the story of Shankhachuda, who is actually Sridama, the Sakha of Lord Krishna in Goloka, who incarnates as a demon due to the curse of Radharani.<\/p>\n The\u00a0Devi Bhagavata Purana<\/strong><\/b>\u00a0dedicates its entire Navama Skandha (Ninth Canto) to the glories of Radhakrishna and their Leelas in Goloka and the rest of the universe.<\/p>\n Brahmavaivarta Puran<\/strong>\u00a0which entirely deals with the pastimes of RadhaKrishna is mentioned in the listof major puranas.<\/p>\n Coming to\u00a0Srimad Bhagavatam<\/strong><\/b>, there are many who say that Shukabrahma, who recited the Bhagavatam, was a pure devotee of Radhakrishna, and so uttering their pastimes would cause him to lose his consciousness and therefore unable to complete in 7 days. Hence he refers to her using common nouns such as \u2018Kaachit\u2019 (One Girl), \u2018Saa Vadhuh\u2019 (That Bride (of Krishna)), and \u2018Priya\u2019, (Beloved).<\/p>\n Apart from these references, the sloka gives her name in the phrase\u00a0Aa<\/em><\/i>radhi<\/em><\/i><\/strong><\/b>to<\/em><\/i>\u00a0\u2013<\/p>\n Srimad Bhagavatam 10.30.28 \u201cCertainly this particular gop\u012b has perfectly worshiped the all-powerful Personality of Godhead, Govinda, since He was so pleased with Her that He abandoned the rest of us and brought Her to a secluded place.\u201d \u201cThe sage \u015aukadeva Gosv\u0101m\u012b has tried with all endeavor to keep Her name hidden, but now it automatically shines forth from the moon of his mouth. That he has spoken Her name is indeed Her mercy, and thus the word \u0101r\u0101dhita\u1e25 is like the rumbling of a kettledrum sounded to announce Her great good fortune.\u201d<\/p>\n In the Bhramara-gita, SB 10.47.11, Sukadeva describes: \u201c*One* of the gopis, while meditating on Her previous association with Krishna, saw a honeybee before Her and imagined it to be a messenger sent by Her beloved. Thus She spoke as follows.\u201d<\/p>\n The word \u201ckacin\u201d in this verse, meaning \u201cone of the gopis\u201d refers to Radha.It is Radharani who delivers the famous\u00a0Bhramara Gita<\/strong>\u00a0where she talks to a bee thinking it to be Krishna\u2019s messenger when Uddhava visits Vrindavana. Also, the Second Canto, Fourth Chapter, when Shukabrahma Rishi says the Dhyana Slokas, he meditates on lord Hari in his eternal abode with all his Shaktis and Opulences. The name he gives to Vishnu\u2019s Energy is \u2018Raadhas\u2019.<\/p>\n In the\u00a0Vishnu Purana<\/strong><\/b>, during the description of Rasa Leela\u00a0in the chapter 13 of book\u00a05, there are seven slokas (slokas 32-38) describing Krishna leaving the Rasa Mandala and going off with a special Gopi into the forest. The other Gopis also describe their footprints, and Krishna\u2019s adorning her with flowers and leaving her some distance away. This is almost the same as in the Srimad Bhagavatam. The word used here (where there it is Anayaradhito) is\u00a0Vishnur<\/em><\/i>\u00a0Abhyarchito<\/em><\/i><\/strong><\/b>\u00a0Yaya<\/em><\/i>\u00a0\u2013 Vishnu was worshipped extensively by her. Therefore we can infer that this Gopika is Srimati Radharani.<\/p>\n Many of Sri Vaishnavas who are against the existance of Radharani should refer to other references posted here before making false assumption and misguiding people.<\/p>\n Gopal Tapani Upanishad Chapter 1: Text 42 states:<\/p>\n Obeisances to Lord Govinda, handsome with a peacock-feather crown, identical with Balarama, His intelligence sharp, and He the swan in the Manasa lake of the goddess of fortune\u2019s thoughts.<\/p>\n Commentary by Srila Baladeva Vidyabhushana(One of the most famous Acharya centuries ago): Ujjwala Nilamani by Rupa Goswami 4.4 states:<\/p>\n gop\u0101lottara-t\u0101pany\u0101\u1e41 yad g\u0101ndharveti vi\u015brut\u0101 | R\u0101dh\u0101, known as G\u0101ndharv\u0101, is said to excel all others in Gop\u0101la-t\u0101pan\u012b Upani\u1e63ad and she is described as being in the company of M\u0101dhava in the Rk-pari\u015bi\u1e63\u1e6da. N\u0101rada describes her as\u00a0supreme<\/strong>\u00a0in the\u00a0R\u0101dh\u0101-m\u0101h\u0101tmya of Padma Pur\u0101\u1e47a.<\/strong><\/p>\n J\u012bva Goswami commentary<\/p>\n R\u0101dh\u0101\u2019s position is confirmed by quoting from Padma Pur\u0101\u1e47a and \u015bruti. He explains her name G\u0101ndharv\u0101 in the first line. She is best because she is known to excel all other women (vi\u015brut\u0101) in the Gop\u0101la-t\u0101pan\u012b Upani\u1e63ad, going by the name G\u0101ndharv\u0101. In \u1e5ak-pari\u015bi\u1e63\u1e6da she is said to excel all others because she is always with M\u0101dhava. Her superiority is shown by the words r\u0101dhay\u0101 m\u0101dhavo devo m\u0101dhavenaiva r\u0101dhik\u0101 vibhr\u0101jante jane\u1e63v \u0101: M\u0101dhava resides with R\u0101dh\u0101, R\u0101dh\u0101 resides with M\u0101dhava. In her glorification in Padma Pur\u0101\u1e47a she is described (uditam) as supreme. In another scripture it is said that a sage attained N\u0101r\u0101ya\u1e47a \u1e5a\u1e63i by taking shelter of her glorious form since she was superior to all others.<\/p>\n Vi\u015bvan\u0101tha Chakraborty commentary:<\/p>\n The author supports his statement by proof from scripture. T\u0101s\u0101\u1e41 madhye \u015bre\u1e63\u1e6dh\u0101 g\u0101ndharv\u0101 hy uv\u0101ca: the best among the gop\u012bs, R\u0101dh\u0101, spoke (Gop\u0101la-t\u0101pan\u012b Upani\u1e63ad 2.6) T\u0101\u1e41 hi mukhy\u0101\u1e41 vidh\u0101ya p\u016brvam anuk\u1e5btv\u0101 t\u016b\u1e63\u1e47\u012bm \u0101su\u1e25: putting the chief gop\u012b in front, the gop\u012bs then become silent. (Gop\u0101la-t\u0101pan\u012b Upani\u1e63ad 2.13)<\/p>\n \u1e5ak-pari\u015bi\u1e63\u1e6da(rig Veda appendix or supplement,a genuine text) says r\u0101dhay\u0101 m\u0101dhavo devo m\u0101dhavenaiva r\u0101dhik\u0101 vibhr\u0101jante jane\u1e63v \u0101. This means there is no other gop\u012bs like her. In order to destroy the doubt that R\u0101dh\u0101 is singled out as the dearest among the group only in the sense that a king is singled out when expressing a group, it is then said ek\u0101 advit\u012by\u0101: she is without compare.<\/p>\n Matsya Pur\u0101\u1e47a<\/strong>:<\/p>\n rukmi\u1e47\u012b dv\u0101ravaty\u0101m tu r\u0101dh\u0101 v\u1e5bnd\u0101vane vane: 13.37<\/p>\n As Rukmi\u1e47\u012b is the chief queen in Dv\u0101rak\u0101, R\u0101dh\u0101 is the chief gop\u012b in V\u1e5bnd\u0101vana.<\/p>\n Srila Jiva Goswami quotes the following verses from the\u00a0Agni Purana:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cgopyah papracchur usasi \u201cAt dawn the Gopis inquired from Krishna\u2019s servant, Uddhava, about the Lord\u2019s pastimes and recreation. Only Srimati Radharani, immersed in thought of Krishna, withdrew Her interest in the talks. Then Radha, who is worshiped by the residents of Her Vrindavan village, spoke up in the midst of her girlfriends. Her words were full of pure transcendental knowledge and expressed the ultimate portion of the Vedas.\u201d<\/p>\n Sri Sri Radha Kripa Kataksha Stava Raja Spoken by Lord Shiva to Parvati in the Tantra named\u00a0Urdhvamnaya-Tantra<\/strong> \u1e5ak-pari\u015bi\u1e63\u1e6da<\/strong>\u00a0says: (Rig veda appendix or supplement)<\/p>\n r\u0101dhay\u0101 m\u0101dhavo devo m\u0101dhavenaiva r\u0101dhik\u0101 | vibhr\u0101jante jane\u1e63v\u0101<\/p>\n M\u0101dhava is revealed to the people through R\u0101dh\u0101 and R\u0101dh\u0101 is revealed through M\u0101dhava.<\/p>\n Brahma Samhita<\/strong>\u00a0States:<\/p>\n \u201cI worship Govinda, the primeval Lord, who resides in His own realm, Goloka, with Radha, who resembles His own spiritual figure and who embodies the ecstatic potency [hladini]. Their companions are Her who embody extensions of Her bodily form and who are imbued and permeated with ever-blissful spiritual rasa.\u201d B.S. 5.37<\/p>\n Adi Purana<\/strong>\u00a0states Lord Shiva has told Devi Durg\u00e2 in\u00a0Sammohan-Tantra<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013<\/p>\n \u201c<\/strong>Who rejects Sri R\u00e2dh\u00e2 and worships Shy\u00e2msundar, takes His Holy Name or meditates on Him, will verily fall down.\u201d<\/p>\n Sri Radha Sahasra-nama was originally spoken by Lord Shiva to Parvati devi, recorded in the 5th Chapter of\u00a0Sri Narada Pancaratra<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Texts 1 and 2<\/p>\n Sri Parvati said: O lord of lords, O master of the universe, O master kind to your devotees, if you are kind to me, if you have mercy for me, then, O lord, please tell me all you have heard, the most secret of secrets in your effulgent heart.<\/p>\n Texts 3 and 4<\/p>\n O lord of lords, the transcendental thousand names of Goddess Sri Radha-gopi, which inspire pure devotional service, and which you have never told anyone, please tell to me. Why is the Goddess, who creates and destroys the universes, a gopi?<\/p>\n Text 5<\/p>\n Lord Siva said<\/strong>: O goddess, O queen, please hear this auspicious and very wonderful truth, which destroys sins: For Her their are neither births nor material activities.<\/p>\n Text 6<\/p>\n When Lord Hari, out of a sense of duty, performs activities (in the material world), she, desiring to be near Him, assumes many different forms.<\/p>\n Text 7<\/p>\n I have already explained why She is a gopi. O goddess, now please hear Her thousand names.<\/p>\n Continued\u2026\u2026.<\/p>\n Some references from\u00a0Sanat Kumar Samhita<\/strong><\/p>\n Sanatkumara samhita 302-303:<\/p>\n sri-narada uvaca \u201cShri Narada said: If when Lord Krishna goes to Mathura He manifests His more-perfect form of Vasudeva\u2019s son (which is different from the most-perfect form of Nanda\u2019s son), then how is it possible for Shri Radha to feel the pangs of separation from this form (a form different from the Vrindavana-Krishna)? O master, please cut apart this doubt.\u201d<\/p>\n sri-sadasiva uvaca \u201cLord Sadashiva said: The Samyogini potency arranges the amorous pastimes of the divine couple, and the Viyogini potency arranges that the divine couple be separated. The Hladini potency is the Lord\u2019s pleasure potency. In Vraja Shri Radha is the manifestation of these three potencies.\u201d<\/p>\n Samyogini is the expansion of Sri Radha outside Vrndavan, when She meets Krsna at Kuruksetra. Viyogini is the expansion of Sri Radha in Gokula (Bhauma) Vrindavan after Krsna moves to Mathura. Hladini (Kirtida-putri, Vrsabhanu-nandini) is Her original form always present with Sri Krsna in Goloka (Divya) Vrndavan in asta-kaliya-lila<\/p>\n The gopis are none other than the goddess of fortune<\/strong>\u00a0is mentioned in the below verses of Srimad Bhagwatam.<\/p>\n SB 10.33.14 In this verse the gopyah is in apposition to the word Sriyah and ekanta vallabham means intimate lover.<\/p>\n Followers of Sri Sampradaya does not accept this translation . But it does not matter. Jiva Goswami has given this translation and his knowledge is unquestionable<\/p>\n SB 10.32.10 The gopis headed by Radharani has got benediction which even Goddess of fortune Lakshmi Devi has been deprived .<\/strong><\/p>\n SB 10.16.36<\/p>\n O Lord, we do not know how the serpent K\u0101liya has attained this great opportunity of being touched by the dust of Your lotus feet. For this end, the goddess of fortune performed austerities for centuries, giving up all other desires and observing austere vows.<\/p>\n \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam (10.47.60) also states: \u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam (10.9.20) \u015aukadeva Gosv\u0101m\u012b says, Radharani as source of Lakshmis<\/strong><\/p>\n Srimati Radharani is the embodiment of Sri Krishna\u2019s swarup shakti. She has each and every excellent quality and is the presiding Deity for all opulence. Srimat Jiva Goswamipad has written in Priti-sandarbha (120th chapter) \u2013 \u201claxmi Saraswati durg\u00e2 s\u00e2vitri r\u00e2dhik\u00e2 par\u00e2, It is evident from this verse that although Laxmi, Durg\u00e2 etc. are divine shaktis, only Srimati R\u00e2dh\u00e2r\u00e2ni is \u2018par\u00e2\u2019. What does \u2018par\u00e2\u2019 mean? It is easy to understand from this that Srimati Radharani is the supreme. Sri\u00a0N\u00e2rad-Panchar\u00e2tra<\/strong>\u00a0has used \u2018par\u00e2\u2019 many times in connection with Srimati Radharani.<\/p>\n Example \u2013 That one God first divided Himself into two parts. One part became female called Visnu Maya and the other part remained Himself as a male. (Narada Pancaratra 2.3.24<\/p>\n That lady was the presiding Deity of the female sex, Mula Prakrti, Isvari and His prana. She is born from His left side. (Narada Pancaratra 2.3.27)<\/p>\n O Narada! The sages name her Radha as She appeared before Hari in Rasa mandalam, quite young and full of youth. (Narada Pancaratra 2.3.36)<\/p>\n Sanat Kumar Samhita<\/strong>\u00a0States<\/p>\n 72<\/em><\/p>\n devi krishnamayi prokta<\/em> The transcendental goddess Sri Radha is the direct counterpart of Lord Sri Krishna. She is the central figure for all the goddesses of fortune. She is the pleasure-potency of Lord Krishna.<\/p>\n 73 The wise say that She is the pleasure potency of Lord Krishna. Durga and the other goddesses in the world of the three modes are a million-millionth part of one of Her expansions.<\/p>\n 74 She is directly Goddess Maha-Lakshmi and Lord Krishna is Lord Narayana. O best of sages, there is not the slightest difference between Them.<\/p>\n N\u0101rada describes her as\u00a0supreme<\/strong>\u00a0in the\u00a0R\u0101dh\u0101-m\u0101h\u0101tmya of Padma Pur\u0101\u1e47a.<\/strong><\/p>\n Brihad Gautamiya tantra<\/strong>\u00a0also states<\/p>\n \u201cdevi krishnamayee prokta radhika para-devata, sarva laxmimayi sarva-k\u00e2ntih sammohini para.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe transcendental goddess Srimati Radharani is the direct counterpart of Lord Sri Krishna. She is the central figure of all goddess of fortune. She possess all the attractiveness to attract the personality of godhead. She is the primeval internal potency of Lord.\u201d<\/p>\n The author of Sri Chaitanya Charit\u00e2mrita has explained this verse very beautifully \u2013 When the great sage Parashar mentioned \u2018par\u00e2-shakti\u2019 (the Great Power), he said \u2013 Although some refer that supreme shakti as Laxmi and some call her as \u2018Durg\u00e2\u2019, she is Sri R\u00e2dh\u00e2 and resides as the absolute shakti in Vrind\u00e2van. Sri R\u00e2dh\u00e2 is the height of the supreme shakti.<\/p>\n Some Gaudiya Vaishnava text references on Radharani<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cSrimati R\u00e2dh\u00e2r\u00e2ni is the Supreme Power while Sri Krishna is the Supreme Personality. The scriptures prove that the two are non different. Just as musk and its fragrance are inseparable, and so are fire and its burning property, similarly R\u00e2dh\u00e2 and Krishna are one. They assume two forms simply to relish ras.\u201d \u2013 (Chaitanya Charit\u00e2mrita, Gaudiya text)<\/p>\n Srila Krishnad\u00e2s Kavir\u00e2j Gosw\u00e2mi has written \u2013 The scriptures say \u2013 Srila Narottam d\u00e2s Th\u00e2kur Mah\u00e2shai has regretted the misfortune of those who are averse to serving Sri R\u00e2dh\u00e2 \u2013 It is possible for us to know the very deep confidential mellows of the divine pastimes of Sri Sri R\u00e2dh\u00e2-M\u00e2dhav only when we associate with the devotees who are surrendered unto the lotus feet of Sri Sri R\u00e2dh\u00e2-M\u00e2dhav. Srila Raghun\u00e2th d\u00e2s Gosw\u00e2mi has written in his Swa-sankalpa-prak\u00e2sh Stotra (= A hymn to declare my resolution) \u2013 Sri Sri R\u00e2dh\u00e2-M\u00e2dhav is the sole Object of worship for the devotees sheltered at Sriman-Mah\u00e2prabhu\u2019s lotus feet. And they serve Sri Krishna only under Srimati R\u00e2dh\u00e2r\u00e2ni\u2019s subservience. We have already quoted howmuch the Goudiya Vaishnav preceptors grieve when we adore Sri Krishna alone and not serve Sri R\u00e2dh\u00e2. Srimat Raghun\u00e2th d\u00e2s Gosw\u00e2mip\u00e2d has called the one who worships Sri Krishna sans Sri R\u00e2dh\u00e2 as a fraud and arrogant; he has vowed to reject them instantly \u2013 in the same breath he has also declared his heartfelt reverence for the worshipers of the Divine Couple \u2013<\/p>\n \u201cSrimati R\u00e2dh\u00e2r\u00e2ni\u2019s name is so sweet that as soon as a living being hears it, he is bathed in love. Whoever lovingly worships Sri Krishna in accompaniment with Sri R\u00e2dh\u00e2 \u2013 I pledge to wash his feet, drink that water and carry it on my head forever.\u201d<\/strong> Srimat Jiva Gosw\u00e2mip\u00e2d has written at the end of Sri-Krishna-Sandarbha \u2013 This Sri Yugal-m\u00e2dhuri alone is the only Object of worship for the Goudiya Vaishnavs. Our preceptors too have given us the same instruction. Srila Narottam d\u00e2s Th\u00e2kur Mah\u00e2shai has sung in his Manjari-swarup \u2013<\/p>\n \u201cThe Divine Couple \u2013 Srimati R\u00e2dh\u00e2r\u00e2ni and Sri Krishna are my life and soul. I have no refuge in life or death other than Them.<\/strong><\/p>\n I shall seat Them on the gem-studded altar in the loving woods of Kadamba trees on the banks of the K\u00e2lindi and anoint Them with fragrant chandan paste.<\/strong> When shall I sew M\u00e2lati garlands and put around Them? When will I offer camphor-scented betel leaves to their sweet lips?<\/strong><\/p>\n When will I serve Their lotus-feet under the command of Lalit\u00e2, Vish\u00e2kh\u00e2 and all other sakhis?<\/strong> Full Article >>><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\n\u201cO Devi, You are the\u00a0source of all<\/strong>\u00a0that is specially pure and good. You are the source of the hladini, sandhini and samvit potencies and You are the Supreme Power and Supreme Knowledge. You give supreme bliss to Sri Bhagavan and even Brahma and Rudra (Shiva) cannot understand You. Your opulence is remarkable in every aspect. The best of yogis cannot reach You with their meditation.\u00a0I feel all the divine shaktis are Your parts\u00a0<\/strong>as You control various shaktis such as ichcha-shakti (will power), gyan-shakti (the power of knowledge) and kriya-shakti (the power of action). Swayam Bhagav\u00e2n Sri Krishna, Who is the Supreme Personality, has countless majesty and\u00a0They are also Your parts<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nnivasi niladrau nihita-carano ananta-shirasi rasanandi radha-sarasa-vapur-alingana-sukho
\njagannatha svami nayana-patha-gami bhavatu me<\/p>\n
\nsarva gopisu saivaika visnor-atyanta-vallabha\u201d<\/p>\n
\ntvadiyodarayatha visvasya dhamne
\nnamo radhikayai tvadiya-priyayai
\nnamo \u2018nanta-lilaya devaya tubhyam<\/p>\n
\nanay\u0101r\u0101dhito n\u016bna\u1e41
\nbhagav\u0101n harir \u012b\u015bvara\u1e25
\nyan no vih\u0101ya govinda\u1e25
\npr\u012bto y\u0101m anayad raha\u1e25<\/p>\n
\n\u015ar\u012bla Vi\u015bvan\u0101tha Cakravart\u012b explains that the word \u0101r\u0101dhita\u1e25 refers to \u015ar\u012bmat\u012b R\u0101dh\u0101r\u0101\u1e47\u012b. He comments,<\/p>\n
\nkacin madhukaram drstva
\ndhyayanti krishna-sangamam
\npriya-prasthapitam dutam
\nkalpayitvedam abravit<\/p>\n
\nSB 10.30.38 describes:<\/span>
\nevam uktah priyam aha<\/span>
\nskandha aruhyatam iti<\/span>
\ntatas cantardadhe krishnah<\/span>
\nsa vadhur anvatapyata<\/span>
\n\u201cAfter being addressed by a particular gopi, Krishna told Her, \u201cClimb up on My shoulder.\u201d Saying this He suddenly disappeared. Sa vadhur anvatapyata \u2013 His beloved consort (Radharani) then immediately felt great remorse.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n
\nThe goddess of fortune here is Srimati Radharani, who is described in the\u00a0Purusa-bodhini Upanisad<\/strong>.
\n\u201cCandravali and Radhika always remain at Lord Krishna\u2019s side. Laksmi, Durga, and the Lord\u2019s other potencies are expansions of Sri Radhika.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nr\u0101dhety \u1e5bk-pari\u015bi\u1e63\u1e6de ca m\u0101dhavena sahodit\u0101 |
\natas tad\u012bya-m\u0101h\u0101tmya\u1e41 p\u0101dme devar\u1e63i\u1e47oditam ||4||<\/p>\n
\nkrsnanucaram uddhavam
\nhari-lila-viharams ca
\ntatraikam radhikam vina
\nradha tad-bhava-samlina
\nvasanaya viramita
\nsakhibhih sabhyadhac chuddha-
\nvij\u00f1ana-guna-jrmbhitam
\nijyante-vasinam veda
\ncaramamsa-vibhavanaih\u201d<\/p>\n
\nThis is the most famous stotra in Sri Vrindavana; all the sadhus know it by heart, and it is recited daily in most temples and nearby villages; indeed, this prayer is regarded as the very heart of Vrindavana. It is also known as: The King of Prayers which Petitions the Most Merciful Side-long Glance from Srimati Radharani<\/p>\n
\n\u201cO Partha, in all the three planetary systems, this earth is especially fortunate, for on earth is the town of Vrndavana. And there the gopis are especially glorious because among them is My Srimati Radharani. (Adi Purana-Krsna to Arjuna)\u201d<\/p>\n
\ngate madhu-purim krsne
\nvipralambha-rasah katham
\nvasudeve radhikayah
\nsamsayam cindhi me prabho<\/p>\n
\nsaktih samyogini kama
\nvama saktir viyogini
\nhladini kirtida-putri
\ncaivam radha trayam vraje<\/p>\n
\n\u201cThe gopis who were all goddess of fortune obtained the infalliable beautiful supreme personality as their intimate lover. Their necks embraced by the arms of lord.The sang and danced in his company\u201d.<\/p>\n
\nEncircled by the gop\u012bs, who were now relieved of all distress, Lord Acyuta, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, shone forth splendidly. My dear King, K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a thus appeared like the Supersoul encircled by His\u00a0spiritual potencies.<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n\u201cThe gop\u012bs received benedictions from the Lord that neither Lak\u1e63m\u012bdev\u012b nor the most beautiful dancers in the heavenly planets could attain. In the r\u0101sa dance, the Lord showed His favor to the most fortunate gop\u012bs by placing His arms on their shoulders and dancing with each of them individually. No one can compare with the gop\u012bs, who received the causeless mercy of the Lord.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nThe Supreme Lord, who can award liberation to anyone, showed more mercy toward the gop\u012bs than to Lord Brahma, Lord \u015aiva or even the goddess of fortune, who is His own wife and is associated with His body.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cSri Bhagav\u00e2n\u2019s swarup shakti has countless wonderful properties, for example \u2013 excellent talents, wealth etc. This swarup shakti exists in two forms \u2013
\n1. it is unmanifest and exists in Sri Bhagavan only as a \u2018power\u2019.
\n2. it is manifest and expressed in the forms of Laxmis. The swarup shakti that is manifest and appears in the personal form is the source of all excellences and opulence. Srimati Radharani is the root of all the Kamalas.<\/p>\n
\nbhakty\u00e2 namanti yat shashwat tam nam\u00e2mipar\u00e2t-param.\u201d \u2013 (N\u00e2rad-Panchar\u00e2tra<\/strong>)
\nMeaning \u2013 \u201cI forever pay obeisance to Sri Krishna Who is more divine than the divine, and Whom Laxmi, Saraswati, Durg\u00e2, S\u00e2vitri and the \u2018par\u00e2-shakti\u2019 or supreme shakti Sri R\u00e2dh\u00e2 worship with devotion.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\u201cpar\u00e2nte shreshtha-v\u00e2chak\u00e2h\u201d
\nMeaning \u2013 \u201cWhen we use the word \u2018par\u00e2\u2019 at the end, it indicates the superlative (greatest)<\/strong>\u201d.<\/p>\n
\n\u201crasik\u00e2 rasik\u00e2nand\u00e2 swayam r\u00e2seseshwari par\u00e2\u201d.
\nMeaning \u2013 \u201cSrimati R\u00e2dh\u00e2r\u00e2ni is the connoisseur of ras, She takes delight in the devotees of ras; She Herself is the controller of the R\u00e2s-dance and is the greatest of all.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nradhika para-devata<\/em>
\nsarva-lakshmi-svarupa sa<\/em>
\nkrishnahlada-svarupini<\/em><\/p>\n
\ntatah sa procyate vipra<\/em>
\nhladiniti manishibhih<\/em>
\ntat-kala-koti-koty-amsa<\/em>
\ndurgadyas tri-gunatmikah<\/em><\/p>\n
\nsa tu sakshan maha-lakshmih<\/em>
\nkrishno narayanah prabhuh<\/em>
\nna tayor vidyate bhedah<\/em>
\nsv-alpo \u2018pi muni-sattama<\/em><\/p>\n
\n\u201cSrimati Radharani is resplendent and supremely beautiful. She is like the altar of Sri Krishna-worship and the playground for His love-sports. She is Krishnamayee, meaning, She is full of Sri Krishna inside and outside. Sri Krishna appears wherever She casts Her gaze. Sri Krishna is love and ras personified and His shakti is non-different from Him. She worships Sri Krishna by fulfilling all His desires; hence the Purans call Her \u2018Radhika\u2019 (the worshipper). Therefore She is all-revered and is the supreme deity. She is the all\u2013protector and is the Mother of all the universes. She is the source of all the Laxmis. The Laxmis are the six majesty of Sri Krishna. Srimati Radharani is their source \u2013 the greatest of all shaktis. The entire beauty and splendour reside in Her. She dispenses beauty to all the Laxmis. Here \u2018splendour\u2019 may also mean all the desires of Sri Krishna \u2013 this indicates that all His desires reside in Srimati Radharani. Radhika fulfils His wishes. This is the meaning of \u2018Sri Radha is all-resplendent\u2019. Sri Krishna mesmerizes everybody and Srimati<\/strong>
\nRadharani holds Sri Krishna spellbound. Therefore we conclude that She is the Supreme Owner.<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 (C.C.)<\/p>\n
\n\u201cThe Great Power is always beyond description; it is extremely far from our mental speculation and it is a subject for only self-realized paramhamsas \u2013 I pray to That supreme Ishwari.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\u201cSri Krishna thinks in His mind \u2013 the wise call me absolute bliss, and absolute ras. All universes get joy from me. Is there anyone who can make me happy? Only someone who is hundreds of times more qualified than me can cause me pleasure. However it is impossible to find one who attracts the three worlds, yet Sri R\u00e2dh\u00e2\u2019s speech is so sweet that it captivates my ears. Although the world is aromatic due to my fragrance, the sweet smell of Sri R\u00e2dh\u00e2\u2019s body steals my heart and soul. Despite the fact that I am the fountainhead of all the ras present in this world, the nectarine ras of Sri R\u00e2dh\u00e2\u2019s lips enthrall me. Albeit, my touch is as cooling as innumerable moons, R\u00e2dhik\u00e2\u2019s sweet touch soothes even me. Thus I am the cause of all happiness in the world, yet I continue to live only because of R\u00e2dhik\u00e2\u2019s beauty and excellences.\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 (C.C)<\/p>\n
\n\u201cbin\u00e2 r\u00e2dh\u00e2-pras\u00e2dena krishna-pr\u00e2ptir-na j\u00e2yate\u201d
\nMeaning \u2013\u00a0\u201cIt is impossible to attain Sri Krishna without Srimati R\u00e2dh\u00e2r\u00e2ni\u2019s mercy.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n\u201cAll glory to the Holy Name of Sri R\u00e2dh\u00e2, Who resides in Vrind\u00e2van and Who is the treasurehouse of Sri Krishna\u2019s blissful love-sports. The hymns that extol Her excellences are so sweet \u2013 yet my ears are disinclined to hear them \u2013 alas! I am so unfortunate!<\/strong>
\nWhoever always associates with Her devotees and absorbs in the loving discussions about Her ras-ful divine pastimes gains the association of Ghanashy\u00e2m Sri Krishna. Whoever is indisposed to such conversation will never accomplish the highest goal of human life \u2013 I loathe hearing his name even.\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 (P.B.C.)<\/p>\n
\n\u201cWhoever has not served the holy, fragrant and compassionate dust of the lotus feet of Srimati R\u00e2dh\u00e2r\u00e2ni, who has not taken the shelter of Sri Vrind\u00e2van that is decorated with Her beautiful footprints, who has not associated with the rasik devotees whose heart is extremely thirsty for the confidential sev\u00e2 of Srimati R\u00e2dh\u00e2r\u00e2ni \u2013 he can never ever immerse in Shy\u00e2msundar Who is the \u2018ocean of ras\u2019 personified.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nIf we analyse these two pledges of Srila D\u00e2s Gosw\u00e2mi we can easily appreciate how much important it is to serve Srimati R\u00e2dh\u00e2r\u00e2ni along with Sri Krishna.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cAmongst all the divine manifestations, Sri Krishna is God Himself. Again we see that he expresses Himself in three forms \u2013 in Dw\u00e2rak\u00e2, Mathur\u00e2 and Vrind\u00e2van. Amongst these, He expresses extraordinary sweetness in His Vrind\u00e2van-manifestation; therefore the Vrind\u00e2van-manifestation is the topmost. In Vrind\u00e2van He expresses various moods in his pastimes as a child with His parents and as a boy with His friends. However when He performs lovesports in the kishor form with Sri Sri R\u00e2dh\u00e2r\u00e2ni, who is the crestjewel of all Vraj\u00e2ngan\u00e2s, He is indeed supremely wonderful. Therefore the worship of Sri Sri R\u00e2dh\u00e2-M\u00e2dhav is the suprememost.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nO when will I fan Them with a ch\u00e2mar, all the while gazing at Their sweet and radiant moon-like faces?<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nThus prays Narottam d\u00e2s \u2013 the servant of the servant of Sri Krishna-Chaitanya Mah\u00e2prabhu, since his heartfelt desire is to serve the Divine Couple in this confidential manner.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n