In this article we shall try to cite evidence from Vedic scriptures to ascertain the exalted position of Radha Rani and the stature of her devotion.
#1 Prahlada is the best of the devotees
Kvaham rajah prabhava isa tamo dhike smin
Jatah suretara kule kva tavanukampa
Na brahmano na tu bhavasya na vai ramaya
Yan me rpitah sirasi padma karah prasadah
(Srimad Bhagavatam, 7.9.26)
–
O my Lord, O Supreme, because I (Prahlada) was born in a family of atheists and demons where the modes of passion and ignorance are dominant, what is my position? And what is to be said of Your causeless mercy, which You never offered even to Lord Brahma, Lord Shiva or the goddess of fortune, Lakshmi? You never put Your lotus hands upon their heads, but You have mercifully put it on mine.
Bhakta eva hi tattvena
Krsnam janati na tv aham
Sarvesu hari bhaktesu
Prahlado ti mahattamah
(Skanda Purana)
–
Lord Shiva makes this statement in Skanda purana, ‘I cannot comprehend the truth about Krishna. Only His devotees can. And of all the devotees of Lord Hari, Prahlada is by far the greatest’.
#2 Better than Prahlada are the Pandavas
Na tu prahladasya grhe param brahma vasati
Na cad tad darsanartham munayas tad grhan abhiyanti
Na ca tasya brahma matuleyadi rupena varttate
Na ca svayam eva prasannam
Ato yuyam eva tato pyasmatto pi bhuri bhaga iti bhavah
(Laghu Bhagavatamrta, Uttara Khanda, 19)
–
(Sridhara Swami writes in his purports) The Supreme Personality of Godhead did not personally reside in Prahlada’s home, although He stayed in the home of the pandavas. Great sages did not travel to Prahlada’s home to see the Supreme Lord, but for this purpose they did visit the home of the Pandavas. The Supreme Lord did not become the intimate relative of Prahlada maharaja, but He was the maternal cousin of the Pandavas. The Supreme Lord also did not personally act for Prahlada’s pleasure but he did the same for the Pandavas. For all these reasons, Narada muni has said that the Pandavas were more fortunate than either himself or Prahlada.
#3 Yadavas are superior to the Pandavas
Sadati san-nikrstatvat mamatadhikyato hareh
Pandavebhyo pi yadavah kecit sresthatama matah
(Laghu Bhagavatamrta, Uttara Khanda 18)
–
Because of their constant intimate association with Lord Krishna and close family ties with Him, some Yadus (members of the Yadu dynasty) are more exalted than even the Pandavas.
#4 Uddhava is superior to the Pandavas
Na tatha me priyatama atma yonir na sankarah
Na ca sankarsano na srir naivatma ca yatha bhavan
(Srimad Bhagavatam 11.14.15)
–
O Uddhava, Brahma, Shiva, Sankarsana, Lakshmi devi and My own self is not as dear to Me as you are.
Noddhavo nv api man nyuno yad gunair narditah prabhuh
Ato mad vayunam lokam grahayann iha tisthatu
(Srimad Bhagavatam 3.4.31)
–
Uddhava is not inferior to Me in any way. He is never influenced by the modes of material nature. As such he may remain in this world to disseminate specific knowledge about the Personality of Godhead.
#5 Gopis are superior to Uddhava
Asam aho carana renu jusam aham syam
Vrindavane kim api gulma latausadhinam
Ya dustyajam sva janam arya patham ca hitva
Bhejur mukunda padavim srutibhir vimrgyam
(Srimad Bhagavatam 10.47.61)
–
(Uddhava says) When will the day come when I shall take birth as bushes, creepers or herbs in Vrindavan, so that I can honor the dust of the lotus feet of the gopis upon my head? The Gopis are great souls who gave up society, friendship, love, their very relatives, even the Vedic principles to surrender unto Krishna, who is known as Mukunda.
#6 Gopis are superior to the Lakshmi devis of Vaikuntha
Na tatha me priyatamo brahma rudras ca parthiva
Na ca lakshmir na catma ca yatha gopi jano mama
(Adi Purana)
–
Not even Brahma, Shiva, Lakshmi devi, or even My own self is as precious to Me as are the gopis of Vrindavan.
#9 Radha rani is the best of all the devotees
Yatha radha priya visnos-tasyah kundam priyam tatha
Sarva gopisu saivaika visnor atyanta vallabha
(Laghu Bhagavatamrita, 45)
–
Srimati Radha rani is dear to Krishna, and her Kunda, known as Radha Kunda (created by Radha rani), is also similarly dear to Him. It is the favorite place of Krishna. Of all the gopis, Srimati Radha rani is the dearest to Krishna.