The word ‘radha’ is formed from sanskrit root ‘radh’ which means ‘aradhana’-to worship. It is used in two ways. One is ‘aradhita’ – one who is worshipped and other is ‘aradhika’. – one who worships.
Let’s find out what do scriptures say about Shri Radha.
RADHIKA TAPANI UPANISHAD
The scripture consists of the hymns of the glories of Shri Radha.
‘Yasya Renu Paadayorvishvabharta Dharate Moordhni Premayuktah.
Srastavenuh Kavarim Na Smaredya, Talleen Krishn Kritayatta Namaami’.
We bow to Shri Radha, whose foot-dust Lord Shri Krishna puts on his head while being immersed in her love, and his flute falls from his hand and he becomes absentminded for his scattered lock of hair when he is absorbed in her divine bliss, and enslaved by her nectar he stays forever with her as a slave!
“Ye radha yas ca krisno rasabdhir dehadhaikah kridanartha dvidhabhut”
The combination of Radha-Krishna is an ocean of Ras or Bliss. They are not separate entities. They assume separate forms for the purpose of Leela.
SKANDA PURANA
The Skanda Purana is the largest Mahapurana of eighteen Mahapurans. The text contains over 81,000 verses.
‘Aatmaramasya Krishnasya Dhruvmatmasti Radhika,
Tasya Dasya Prabhaven Virho Sman Na Sansprisheta’.
– Section 2 (Vaishnav Khand), Bhagavat Mahatmaya, Chapter 2, Verse 11
Shri Yamunaji says: The soul of Shri Krishna is Shri Radharani, and I have become her maidservant. This is the glory of Shri Radharani’s servitude that I never experience the agony in the separation of Shri Krishna, because Shri Krishna always dwells with Shri Radha in eternal Nitya Vihar in Vrindavan.
‘Atma Tu Radhika Tasya, Taiyaiv Ramana Dasau.
Aatma Ram Tatha Pragyai Prauchayte Goodh Vedibhi’
– Bhagavat Mahatmya (1.22)
In Skanda Puran, Shri Krishna says, ‘Radha is my soul. The soul is always most dear to everyone, that’s the reason she is the dearest to me. My soul has taken the form of a woman and came out of me in the form of Radha Rani. That’s the reason I worship her endlessly and am known as ‘Aatmaram’.
‘Tasya Evansh Vistara Sarvah Shri Krishna Nayikah.
Nitya Sanyog Evasti Tasya Samujyayogatah’.
– Bhagavat Mahatmya (2.12)
Rukmani, Satyabhama and other queens of Krishna in Dwarka are manifested through the fraction of Shri Radha. Radha and Krishna always remain together and eternally united.
PADMA PURANA
The Padma Purana is one of the eighteen major Puranas.
‘Tasmātsarvaprayatnena Matpriyāṁ śaraṇaṁ vrajet. Āśritya Matpriyāṁ Rudra Māṁ vaśīkṛttumarhasi.
Idaṁ rahasyaṁ paramaṁ mayā te parikīrtitam. Tvayāpyetanmahādeva gopanīyaṁ prayatnataḥ’.
– Section 5 [Patala Khand], Chapter 82, Verse (86, 87)
Lord Krishna says to Lord Shiva – O Rudra! If you wish to control me then seek shelter of my beloved Shri Radha. This is the ultimate secret I am revealing to you, please keep it as a secret!
‘Radharadheti Yo Bruyat Smaranam Kurute Narah.
Sarvvatirtheshu Sanskarat Sarvvavidyaprayatnavan’.
– Uttar Khand (163.1)
Lord Shiva says to Narada: One who chants “Radha Radha” and remembers Sri Radha, obtains the essence of ordination of all the pilgrimages and attains the path of enlightenment from within by gaining access to all kinds of divine knowledge.
‘RadhaRadheti Kuryartu RadhaRadheti Pujyet.
RadhaRadheti Yannishtha RadhaRadheti Jalpati.
Vrindaranye Mahabhaga RadhaSahchari Bhavet’.
– Uttar Khand (163.2)
Lord Shiva says to Parvati Devi, The fortunate soul who says “Radha Radha”, who performs devotion saying “Radha Radha”, who has faith in “Radha Radha”, who chants “Radha Radha” becomes sahchari (female associate) of Shri Radha in Vrindavan.
BRAHMA VAIVARTA PURANA
The Brahmavaivarta Purana is a a maha purana.
‘Vande Radhapadambhojam Brahmadisurvindatam.
Yatkeerti Kirtanenaiv Punati Bhuvantrayam’.
– Shri Krishna Janma Khand (4.92.64)
Shri Uddhav says: I worship those lotus feet of Shri Radha, which are worshipped by the gods like Brahma, and by chanting the glories of which, the three worlds are purified.
‘Ra Shabdam Kurvat Strasto Dadaami Bhakti Muttamam.
Dha Shabdam Kurvatah Pashchad Yaami Shravan Lobhatah’.
Shri Krishna says: One who says ‘Ra’, I will grant Him the supreme devotion, and When He says ‘Dha’, I follow and walk behind Him to fulfill my desire to hear the name ‘Radha’.
‘Aavyobherd budhim vai ya karoti naradhama.
Tasya vasa kaalsutre yavachandridivakaro’.
Shri Krishna says: “I and My beloved Shri Radha are non-different. The lowest of men who see the difference between me and Shri Radha will stay in the hell called ‘Kalsutra’ till the time sun and moon remain.”
‘Chakran Chakree Shoolamaadaay Shoolipaashan Paashee Vajramaaday Vajree.
Dhaavantyagre Prshthato Braahmatashv Radha Radha Vaadino Rakshanaay’.
The one who constantly recites “Radha”, Lord Vishnu comes as savior taking his ‘Chakra’ with him, Indra comes with his ‘Bajra,’ Lord Shiva comes with his ‘Trishul’ to save her devotee.
BRAHMANDA PURANA
The Brahmanda Purana is one of the eighteen major Puranas.
“Radha Krishnatmika Nityam Krishno Radhatmako Dhruvam,
Vrindavaneshwari Radha Radhey Varadhyate Maya”
– Radha Strotam (8)
Shri Krishna says, “I am the soul of Shri Radha and Shri Radha is my soul. Shri Radha is the Supreme Goddess of Shri Vrindavan Dham, therefore I worship her.”
‘Pooja Radha Japo Radha Radhika Chabhivandane.
Shrutau Radha Stutau Radha Radhaivaradhyate Maya’.
– Radha Strotam (3)
Shri Krishna says that Shri Radha is my worshipful deity, and I chant the name Radha, I offer obeisances to Shri Radha, I listen about Sri Radha, and sing the glories of Shri Radha. I worship Shri Radhika.
DEVI BHAGAVAT
Devi Bhagwat Purana is considered a Mahapurana.
‘Krishnpranadhidevi Sa Taddheeno Vibhuryata.
Raseshvari Tasya Nitya Taya Heeno Na Tishyat’i.
– Devi Bhagavat (9.50.14)
Shri Radha is the presiding or ruling deity of Shri Krishna’s life. Lord Shri Krishna remains under her control at all times. Sri Radha, known as the Goddess of Raas, is always present in close proximity to him. Without Shri Radha, Shri Krishna cannot stay in any place, even for a moment.
“Rasbhog Pradanen Radha Vridhikarimta”
– Devi Bhagavat
Shri Krishna himself is the personification of Ras or Bliss, Shri Radha is the essence of that immeasurable Ras that bestows Ras on Shri Krishna himself.
NARAD PANCHARATRA
Narada Pancharatra is one of the oldest scripture which compiles the Vaishnava Sanskrit texts. There are sixty chapters which are divided into five sections.
‘Yah Krishnah Sapi Radha Cha Ya Radha Krishn Eva Sah ।
Ekam Jyotirdidha Bhinnam RadhaMadhavRupakam ‘।।
– Brihad Brahma Samhita (4.25)
Shri Radha is Shri Krishna and Shri Krishna is Shri Radha. The combination of Radha-Krishna is an ocean of Ras (Bliss). They are not separate entities. They assume two separate forms for the purpose of Leela.
‘Radha-Charvita-Tambulam Chakhad Madhusudanah.
Dvayosh Chaiko Na Bhedash Cha Dugdha-Dhavalyayor Yatha’.
– Narad Panchratra (2.6.13)
Lord Shiva says, Lord Madhusudan (Krishna) relishes the betel nuts that have been chewed by Shri Radha. They both are actually one and the same personality. There is no difference between them, just as there is no difference between milk and its whiteness.
‘Shri Krishno Jagatam Tato Jaganmatach Radhika
Pitu Shatgunamata Vandya Poojya Gariys’i.
– Narad Panchratra (2.6.7)
Lord Shiva says to Parvati Devi: Shri Radha is the mother and Shri Krishna is the father of this universe. Mother Shri Radhika is one hundred times more respectable, worshippable and important than father Shri Krishna.
RADHA KRIPA KATAKSHA
Shri Radha Kripa Kataksha is the hymn or prayer written by Lord Shiva to please Shri Radharani. The prayer is spoken by Lord Shiva to Parvati Mata in the Tantra named Urdhvamnaya-Tantra.
Verse 1
Munindra-vrinda-vandite! Tri-loka-shoka-harini
Prasanna-vaktra-pankaje! Nikunja-bhu-vilasini!
Vrajendra-bhanu-nandini! Vrajendra-sunu-sangate!
Kada karishyasiha mam kripa-kataksha-bhajanam?
Oh Shri Radha,
You who are worshipped by all the best sages!
You who takes away all the miseries of the three material worlds!
You whose face joyously blossoms just like a lotus flower!
You who takes pleasure in playing love-sports in nikunja
Oh most charming daughter of Vrishabhanu, the best of kings!
Oh closest companion of the son of the King of Vraja!
Oh when will you make me the object of your side-long glance of causeless mercy?
Verse 11
Ananta-koti-vishnu-loka-namra-padmajarchite!
Himadrija-pulomaja-virinchija-vara-prade!
Apara-siddhi-vriddhi-digdha-sat-padanguli-nakhe!
Kada karishyasiha mam kripa-kataksha-bhajanam?
Oh you who is humbly bowed to by all the Lord Brahmas of countless millions of universes created by Lord Vishnu!
Oh you who is the bestower of boons to the daughter of the Himalayas (Parvati), to the daughter of Puloma (Indra’s wife Sachi), and to Brahma’s wife (Sarasvati)!
Oh you whose toenails glow with the radiance of boundless mystic perfections and opulent prosperities!
When, oh when will you make me the object of Your side-long glance of causeless mercy?
Verse 12
Makheshvari! Kriyeshvari! Svadheshvari! Sureshvari!
Triveda-bharatishvari! Pramana-shasaneshvari!
Rameshvari! Kshameshvari! Pramoda-kananeshvari!
Vrajeshvari! Vrajadhipe! Shri Radhike! Namostute!
Oh Goddess of Vedic sacrifices!
Oh Goddess of all pious activities!
Oh Goddess of all that is natural and spontaneous!
Oh Goddess of all the demigods and goddesses!
Oh Goddess of all the knowledge of the three Vedas!
Oh Goddess of the enforcement of universal law!
Oh Goddess of all the goddesses of fortune!
Oh Goddess of forgiveness!
Oh Goddess of the most pleasurable forest of Vrindavana!
Oh Goddess of the entire realm of Vraja!
Oh one and only authority of Vraja!
Oh Shri Radhika!
I offer my most respectful obeisances unto You!
RADHA SUDHA NIDHI
Radha Sudha Nidhi or Radha Rasa Sudha Nidhi is dedicated to the service of Shri Radharani in the mood of Sehchari or Dasi Bhava, the divine couplets are revealed by the incarnation of Shri Krishna’s flute (Murali Avatar), Shri Hit Harivansh Mahaprabhu
” Vrindavaneshwari Taveva Padaravindam,
Premamritaika Makaranda Rasaugha Purnam.
Hrdy Arpitam Madhu Pateh Smara Tapan Ugram,
Nirvapayet Pram Sitalam Asrayami.
-Shri Radha Sudha Nidhi – 12
O queen of Vrindavan, Shri Radha, I take shelter of Your lotus feet, which are flooded with bliss, which are cool, blissful and pleasing, and which, placed over Lord Krishn’s heart, extinguish the blazing fire of desire that torments Him.
‘Radhadashympashya Ya Prayatate Govindasangashaya Soyam Purnasudharuche Rakam Vina Kangkshati.
Kim Cha Shyam Rati Pravahalharibeejam Na Ye Tam Vidu Ste Prapyapi Mahamritambudhimaho Param Prapnuyu’
-Shri Radha Sudha Nidhi -79
Those who refuse to serve Shri Radha but wish to attain the association of Lord Krishna are like people who want to see the full moon when it is not a full moon night. People who do not understand that Shri Radha is the main source of the nectar of love for Krishna can attain only a single drop and no more, of the great ocean of nectar.
Shri Radha is aradhika– worships Shri Krishna as well as aradhita– worshipped by Shri Krishna. In fact, they are one entity.
Jai Jai Shree Radhe
