Radha refers to either one of two figures in Hindu religion. By far the most important is Radha, the Gopi, who participates in the Rasa Lila with Krishna.
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She was born in Barsana, a village about 8 kilometeres from Vrindavana. There are a number of accounts of her parentage. According to one of the common ones, her father is the leader (sometimes regarded as king) of cowherds Vrishabhanu, and her mother Kamalavati, or Kirtida. They are, however, only her foster parents. In the devotional or Bhakti traditions of Hinduism that focus on Krishna, Radha the gopi is his consort. For some of the adherents of these traditions, her importance approaches or even exceeds that of Krishna. Further accounts of her in this role can be seen in the article on .
Radharani, or Radha is the consort of Krishna and have a prominent position in a number of the Vaishnava schools of Hinduism, especially in Gaudiya Vaishnavism. She is considered His adi (original) Shakti, the Supreme Goddess. Other gopis are considered to be Her expansions. Her connection to Krishna is of two types: svakiya-rasa (married relationship) and parakiya-rasa (unmarried, amorous relationship). The second type is considered more exalted.
One of Her names, Hara (mentioned in Narada-pancaratra 5.5.59), in vocative Hare, forms a part of the Hare Krishna Maha Mantra, one of the most popular mantras in India, known around the world mainly through the International Society of Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). This mantra invokes Radha and Krishna as the Supreme Brahman.
She is mentioned in Vedas, Upanisads, Puranas and Vaishnava tantras.
In the devotional (Bhakti) traditions of Gaudiya (Bengali) Vaishnavas, a part of orthodox Hinduism, Her worship has a special emphasis. It is especially prominent in Vrindavan, the place where Krishna is said to have lived over 5000 years ago. Her importance surpasses the importance of Krishna. This is because it is said by some that nobody can approach Krishna directly, but He is easily attainable through the mercy of Radharani. This mode of worship is also adopted by the International Society For Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), a Gaudiya Vaishnava branch, as it was instructed by Shri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, incarnation of Krishna as His devotee in the bhava (mood) of Radharani. For more information, see Vaishnava Theology and Gaudiya Vaishnava Theology.
According to Vedic scriptures Radharani is Krishna's pleasure potency. She is described to be the greatest devotee of Krishna, and although Krsna is said to be all-knowing, still He cannot understand Her quality of devotion. Krsna means "all-attractive," but Radharani because of Her devotion can easily attract Krishna. One of the prayers to Her says:
tapta kancana gaurangi radha vrndavanesvari vrsabhanu-sute devi pranamami hari-priye
"Radharani, You are so dear to Krsna. We offer our respectful obeisances unto You."
To the Vaisnavas, or worshipers of Krishna, Radharani is of great importance. They consider that only by Her mercy they can easily approach Krishna. Therefore in Vrindavana – the place where Krishna spent His childhood pastimes - it is very common to hear devotees chanting Radharani's name. They even greet one another, "Jaya Radhe!” - All glories to Radharani." Why is this so? Because they consider Srimati Radharani the Mother of bhakti or devotion. When there is a connection with the source of the devotional flow, Srimati Radharani, then the living entity can perform his normal and natural function in relationship to Krishna.
"Although the effulgence of the moon is brilliant initially at night, in the daytime it fades away. Similarly, although the lotus is beautiful during the daytime, at night it closes. But, O My friend, the face of My most dear Srimati Radharani is always bright and beautiful, both day and night. Therefore, to what can Her face be compared?" (Vidagdha-madhava 5.20) "When Srimati Radharani smiles, waves of joy overtake Her cheeks, and Her arched eyebrows dance like the bow of Cupid. Her glance is so enchanting that it is like a dancing bumblebee, moving unsteadily due to intoxication. That bee has bitten the whorl of My heart." (Vidagdha-madhava 2.51)
| Hinduism | Hindu mythology | Itihasa | [image] |
|---|---|
| Male Deities: Brahma | Vishnu | Shiva | Rama | Krishna | Ganesha | Indra | Lakshman | Hanuman | |
| Female Deities: Gayatri | Lakshmi | Sarasvati | Durga | Devi | Sita | Radha | Kali | Parvati | Shakti | |
| Texts: Vedas | Puranas | Ramayana | Mahabharata |