Yatha radha priya visnos-tasyah kundam priyam tatha
Sarva gopisu saivaika visnor atyanta vallabha
(Laghu Bhagavatamrita, 45)
–
Srimati Radharani is dear to Krishna, and her Kunda, known as Radha Kunda, is also similarly dear to Him. It is the favorite place of Krishna. Of all the gopis, Srimati Radharani is the dearest to Krishna.
Sri Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is the ultimate enjoyer and the ruler of all. He is ‘Isvara’ and the cause of all causes. Srimati Radharani embodies His Hladini shakti (internal potency) and is the most remarkable of all His devotees and the most intimate servant of the Lord. Despite Krishna being the supreme enjoyer, Radharani experiences a higher level of ecstasy through serving Sri Krishna, which even baffles the Supreme Lord, who longs to experience it first-hand. Thus, taking on the mood and golden complexion of Srimati Radharani, Sri Krishna descended as Lord Chaitanya in the age of Kali. The heart of Sri Chaitanya was a mirror of Srimati Radhika’s emotions, overflowing with feelings of union and separation from Krishna. It is said that there is no difference between Lord Chaitanya and the union of Radha and Krishna (Sri Krishna Chaitanya, Radha Krishna Nahe anya). Sri Radhika loves and worships Krishna as a simple cowherd boy of Vrindavana, ignoring His status as the mighty king of the Yadus or the Supreme Personality of Godhead. She is consumed by Krishna’s sweetness and is willing to sacrifice anything, even her existence, to please Him. Her love for Krishna defies conventional logic, the limits of sacrifice, and the depths of emotional intensity.
Radha and Krishna meet for the first time
Krishna was born in Mathura on the auspicious day of Janmashtami. To protect Him from Kansa, His maternal uncle, Krishna was carried by Vasudeva to Gokul, where he swapped Him with the new-born daughter of Nanda Maharaja and Yashoda. Srimati Radharani was born on the eighth day of the bright moon in the month of Bhadra (August-September) as the eternal daughter of King Vrishabhanu and mother Kirtida in Raval. When Nanda Maharaja and his family moved from Gokul to Nandgaon, King Vrishabhanu also moved from Raval to Barsana. After her birth, all thought that Radha was blind, as she did not open her eyes.
But soon, Nanda Maharaja and Yashoda visited Raval along with little Krishna. While Yashoda and Kirtida were busy discussing the newly born Radha and her condition of blindness, Krishna climbed down from her mother’s lap. He quietly entered the room where Radha was sleeping. As soon as He climbed onto her bed and touched her eyes, she opened her eyes to drink the nectar of Krishna’s beauty. Soon the news spread and everyone was elated to learn that Radharani could see. Before manifesting His pastimes in this world, Krishna had asked Radharani to come with Him, but she was hesitant as she only wanted to see Krishna and not anyone else. Krishna promised that she would always be able to see Him, and as per her demand, He agreed to be the first person she would see when she arrived in this world. Radharani opened her eyes only when she saw her beloved Mukunda before her.
Naughty Krishna : Dana keli Pastime
Krishna grew up to be a very naughty boy. Although Nanda Maharaja was a rich landlord, Krishna would regularly steal milk and butter from the house of the gopis. He would never miss an opportunity to tease and harass the gopis. Let us explain this with the help of the ‘Dana keli (Tax collection)’ Pastime.
On their way to selling their pots filled with milk and milk products, the Gopis would make rounds of the nearby villages and marketplaces. The gopis would regularly use the narrow passage of Sankari Khor, near Barsana, to deliver their goods to the surrounding villages. Every day, Krishna along with His cowherd friends would intercept the Gopis on their way by blocking the passage. Acting as the tax collector, Krishna would then demand taxes in the form of milk products, before allowing the Gopis through. The girls would sometimes decline to give in to Krishna’s demands and would push their way forward. The cowherd boys would then push back causing a tug of war. Sometimes the girls would give in to the demands and at times, Krishna would forcibly extract His due. The cowherd boys would hurl pebbles at the clay pots, breaking them in the process. As the milk would stream out of these pots, the boys would scamper to swallow them. The girls would try in vain to seal the holes with their hands but the boys, overlooking their frustration, would throw more pebbles to perforate the pots even further. The rocks at ‘Sankari Khor’ still carry the lotus handprints of Sri Krishna and the white spots left by the spilled yogurt. This tax-collecting (dana Keli) pastime became a daily chore here at Sankari Khor.
Having had enough of this daily torment, the gopis plotted retaliation. One fine day, many of them hid within the thick bushes on either side of Sankari Khor, while a few of them continued their passage as usual. When they were stopped by Krishna and His friends, these hiding gopis descended on the mischievous gopas (cowherd boys) like soldiers. They grabbed the boys, tied their shikhas (hair locks) to the branches, and humiliated them to their hearts’ content. They were finally freed due to the compassion Radharani felt for Krishna’s misery, but only after Sri Krishna along with all His associates, apologized for their actions and surrendered to the will of Srimati Radharani.
At Sankari Khor, devotees offer milk and yogurt to the rocks to commemorate the pastime of Lord Krishna playing the role of a tax collector.
Krishna surrenders to Radha’s love
Once, Krishna had conveyed through Subala and Vrinda that He wanted to meet with Radha. Accordingly, Radha was waiting for Krishna at the decided time. However, Krishna met with Padma, a friend of Chandravalli, while He was en route to meet Radha. Padma conveyed to Krishna how Chandravalli was suffering in His absence and was yearning to meet with Him. Padma repeatedly requested Krishna to meet with Chandravalli. Sri Krishna could not turn down her request and chose to see Chandravalli for a short period of time. However, Krishna became so absorbed in His pastimes with Chandravalli, that He could not see Radha at the agreed time. Meanwhile, Radha already came to learn from her trained female parrots (saris), about Krishna and His pastimes with Chandravalli, Radha’s fiercest rival. Understanding the reason for His delay, Radha became sulky and began exhibiting a lover’s pique. On arriving, Krishna tried comforting her, but she was not to be pacified. Krishna begged for her forgiveness, but Radha would have none of it.
Finally, Krishna sought help from Vishaka, Radha’s friend, who advised Him to disguise Himself as a ‘Sakhi’ (female friend). Krishna agreed. Krishna accompanied Vishaka, who introduced a disguised Krishna as Shyama Sakhi. Vishaka also glorified Shyama as an expert in playing vina. Radha honored the new Sakhi and requested her to play vina. Upon hearing Her exceptional singing, Radhika became filled with charm and embraced Shyama Sakhi. As soon as she touched Shyama, she realized that Shyama Sakhi was none other than her beloved Shyamsundara. Eventually, her ‘Maan’ (pique) was broken. Once again, she became enthralled in loving pastimes with Krishna. Maan Mandir, Barsana commemorates this beautiful and enchanting pastime of the divine couple that had taken place here at Maan Garh.
deva gandharva ramyaya radha mana bidhayine
mana Mandir sanjnaya namaste ratna bhumaye
(Adi Varaha Purana)
–
Sri Maan Mandir (temple) is an enchanting site even for the celestials like demigods and Gandharvas. This is where Krishna pacified Radha and broke her ‘Maan’ (lover’s pique). I offer my respectful obeisances unto this place which is adorned with precious gems and jewels.
Timeless love of Radha and Krishna
Radha is considered the perfect lover, and Krishna is the supreme object of her love. Radha’s love for Krishna represents the highest form of divine ecstasy, serving as a guide for individuals on the path to spiritual enlightenment. Her love is pure and selfless, devoid of any desire for personal enjoyment, and she is willing to sacrifice everything to please Krishna. This type of relationship is not possible in the material world, which is characterized by selfish interests. They are a perverted reflection of pure spiritual love. Divine love is solely focused on serving, without any concern for sense gratification or personal gain.
Sri Krishna is the essence of life for the cowherd girls, or Gopis of Vrindavana. Despite the fact that their relationship with Krishna would result in rejection by their families and society, the Gopis chose Krishna over their fears. Serving Krishna became the reason for their existence and demonstrated the highest level of devotion, or “Raga.” Those who possess this mindset and are willing to sacrifice everything for Krishna are considered “anuragi.” The Gopis of Vrindavana embody devotional ecstasy, with Srimati Radharani being the personification of the highest stage of devotional ecstasy, known as “Mahabhava.” Radharani excels all the other Gopis in her devotion to Krishna and is described as the “Supreme” in the Radha-Mahatmya of the Padma Purana. The Gopala Tapani Upanishad also mentions that Srimati Radharani, also known as Gandharva, was the best among the Gopis. Among all the Gopis, Radha’s devotion is the most remarkable.
‘Madana, the essence of Hladini shakti (internal potency of Krishna), superior to Mohana, making all other bhavas shine, is continually present in Radha – Ujjvala Nilamani 15.219
A poetry – The Divine Love of Radha and Krishna
In the realm where love’s ethereal grace dances,
Two souls entwined in a celestial trance,
Resides a love, a symphony divine,
Whose beauty transcends the realms of time.
Radha, the cherished jewel in Krishna’s heart,
Their bond, a masterpiece of divine art,
Within His eyes, her love shines bright,
Radiant as the moon, casting heavenly light.
In Krishna’s embrace, her essence takes flight,
Radha Kunda, where their love gleams bright,
A sacred haven where their souls entwine,
Unveiling secrets, mysteries divine.
Amongst the gopis, she stands supreme,
A beacon of devotion, love’s eternal gleam,
Her love, an ocean vast and deep,
In Krishna’s arms, her heart finds solace to keep.
Radharani, embodiment of bliss and grace,
Her love’s fragrance enlivens every space,
With a golden aura and tender soul,
She completes Krishna, making him whole.
Krishna, the Supreme, the cosmic source,
Hears Radha’s love, a melodic force,
In her devotion, His heart finds its repose,
As they dance through eternity, love forever grows.
Their union, a tale of enchanted delight,
When Krishna touched her eyes, love took flight,
Awakening her vision to His divine charms,
Intoxicating her being in His loving arms.
Krishna, mischievous in playful spree,
Stealing milk and butter with jubilant glee,
Gopis’ pots shattered, their hearts aching,
Yet love’s resilience, forever unbreaking.
At Sankari Khor, where their play would unfold,
Krishna, the tax collector, stories untold,
Gopis resisted or surrendered with a smile,
Love’s dance embraced in the narrow aisle.
But one day, the gopis hatched a plan,
To teach Krishna a lesson, to make him understand,
With branches tied, they held their sway,
Radha’s compassion freed them, love’s display.
When Krishna faltered, Radha felt scorn,
Her lover’s absence, her heart was torn,
Disguised as Shyama sakhi, Krishna drew near,
Playing the vina, love erased all fear.
Radha’s touch revealed truths untold,
Her lover concealed, her heart consoled,
Their maan broke, and love’s flame grew,
Maan Mandir witnessed their love anew.
Their love, timeless, beyond compare,
Radha and Krishna, a cosmic affair,
Pure devotion, selfless and true,
Their love guides us, me and you.
In Radha’s love, we find the way,
To serve with love, come what may,
No selfish desire, no personal gain,
Just surrendering all, amidst love’s reign.
Oh, Radha and Krishna, forever intertwined,
In their love’s embrace, eternity enshrined,
Their love story, a divine symphony,
An eternal ode to love’s harmony.