Many people know very well about Shri Krishna, whereas hardly any know about Shri Radha. Rather due to lack of knowledge of Shri Radha’s personality, people doubt her and criticize Her pastimes. So on the auspicious occasion of Radha Ashtami, let us reflect on the Supreme personality of Shri Radha.
Sri Radha, who descended in the land of Barsana (U.P. India) was born to Sri Vrishbhanuji and Mata Kirti The divine Goddess blessed this Earth by Her birth on the auspicious day of Ashtami (8th day) of Bhadrapad Shukla Paksh (waxing moon of the month of Bhadrapad), which usually comes in August. Sri Radha Rani marks the existence of Sri Krishna, for she is His soul. The Trinity bow down to the lotus feet of Sri Krishna, and He bows to the lotus feet of Sri Radha.
Shri Radha is the power of love of Shri Krishna. Amongst the uncountable powers of Shri Krishna, the power of love is highest and so unique that instead of being under the control of it’s master, it controls the master Himself. All the powers of Shri Krishna are infinite, divine and personified.
The power of divine love is revealed in 8 forms i.e.
1.Prem, (प्रेम) 2.Sneh (स्नेह), 3.Maan (मान), 4.Pranaya (प्रणय), 5.Raag (राग), 6. Anuraag (अनुराग), 7. Bhavavesh (भावावेश) and 8. Mahabhav (महाभाव).
Each of them epitomizes a higher degree of love than the previous one. Thus, Mahabhav is highest of the 8 levels of divine love. There are further levels of love of Mahabhav out of those Maadan Mahabhav is most intimate and highest. Shri Radha is the embodiment of Maadan Mahabhav.
Sri Radha, who descended in the land of Barsana (U.P. India) was born to Sri Vrishbhanuji and Mata Kirti The divine Goddess blessed this Earth by Her birth on the auspicious day of Ashtami (8th day) of Bhadrapad Shukla Paksh (waxing moon of the month of Bhadrapad), which usually comes in August. Sri Radha Rani marks the existence of Sri Krishna, for she is His soul. The Trinity bow down to the lotus feet of Sri Krishna, and He bows to the lotus feet of Sri Radha.
Shri Radha is the power of love of Shri Krishna. Amongst the uncountable powers of Shri Krishna, the power of love is highest and so unique that instead of being under the control of it’s master, it controls the master Himself. All the powers of Shri Krishna are infinite, divine and personified.
The power of divine love is revealed in 8 forms i.e.
1.Prem, (प्रेम) 2.Sneh (स्नेह), 3.Maan (मान), 4.Pranaya (प्रणय), 5.Raag (राग), 6. Anuraag (अनुराग), 7. Bhavavesh (भावावेश) and 8. Mahabhav (महाभाव).
Each of them epitomizes a higher degree of love than the previous one. Thus, Mahabhav is highest of the 8 levels of divine love. There are further levels of love of Mahabhav out of those Maadan Mahabhav is most intimate and highest. Shri Radha is the embodiment of Maadan Mahabhav.
The Almighty and invincible Lord of the trinity Shri Krishna, as His unique characteristic, is always conquered by love only. That’s why He is always controlled by His devotees. Then who can define the capabilities of Shri Radha, who is the embodiment of Maadan Mahabhav ! Unconditional ,unadulterated, selfless service of the beloved without having a least desire of self happiness is the ideal of Shri Radha’s love. It was revealed and taught on this earth by Her eternal associates ‘Gopis’. Narad Ji described it as
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तत्सुखसुखित्वम्
नारद भक्ति दर्शन
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Tatsukhasukhitvam
Narad Bhakti Darshan
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Shri Radha is not the wife of Shri Krishna, yet She is holds a much higher status than His wives. Rukmini Ji and Satyabhama etc. 16,108 queens were married to Him. But they had a pride of being His queen. Although, their love was also very high and selfless, yet sometimes some expectations from Shri Krishna, as His wife used to blemish their love. Such love is called samanjasa rati. Shri Radha and the Gopis had only one desire constantly that how should I please my beloved. There feelings of love and service were so focused on Shri Krishna that they had no time or need to judge the love of Shri Krishna for other gopis. Therefore, they weren't jealous of each other or compete with each other. Otherwise, their mind too would have been contaminated. The only aim of their life was to please beloved Shri Krishna. That’s why if they saw Shri Krishna happy with another gopi, instead of being unhappy or jealous of that Gopi or be cross with Shri Krishna, they used to help the gopi get more closer to Him.
Shri Radha gets enchanted by just hearing His name
Shri Radha’s beauty, power and aura create the ethics of love. None of the scriptures consists of the power to verbalize Her beauty. However, it is clear enough by the fact that "The Sri Krishna", whose beauty makes several hearts leave their boundaries, is so mesmerized by Her beauty that He looses consciousness. Then it is self-evident that a thousand Kamadevs (cupids) and Ratis (wife of Kamdev) are just dirt particles as compared to Her. Sri Radharani is sweeter than Her beauty as She reins the world of love. Hence, one who chants Her name first along with Sri Krishna's, for example- ‘Sri Radha-Krishna’, is sure to reach Sri Krishna’s source.
Usually, we are told that Sri Radharani was a Gopi who was most dear to Lord Krishna’s heart, but it is not true. In the world of Nikunj Vrindavan, She is the empress where Gopis and Asht Maha Sakhis serve Her selflessly. Sri Radharani is the soul of Radhavallabh Sampradaya. The reason and the inspiration of existence of Radhavallabh Sampradaya is the transcendental love filled bond of Sri Radha and Sri Krishna. The supreme existence of Sri Radharani is believed to be the soul of Sri Krishna Himself. Sri Krishna, who is worshipped by Brahma Vishnu and Shankar, is most handsome, charming and unbelievably brave. He too bows down to the lotus feet of Shri Radha. This describes how magnificently exotic and pristine is the supreme power of Sri Radha.
Usually, we are told that Sri Radharani was a Gopi who was most dear to Lord Krishna’s heart, but it is not true. In the world of Nikunj Vrindavan, She is the empress where Gopis and Asht Maha Sakhis serve Her selflessly. Sri Radharani is the soul of Radhavallabh Sampradaya. The reason and the inspiration of existence of Radhavallabh Sampradaya is the transcendental love filled bond of Sri Radha and Sri Krishna. The supreme existence of Sri Radharani is believed to be the soul of Sri Krishna Himself. Sri Krishna, who is worshipped by Brahma Vishnu and Shankar, is most handsome, charming and unbelievably brave. He too bows down to the lotus feet of Shri Radha. This describes how magnificently exotic and pristine is the supreme power of Sri Radha.
