I received an email on 21 December2021, on the Sampradaya of Radha and Krishna. This Sampradaya is noticed in North India and also in South in the form of Bhajans and Radha Krishna Kalyana. This has been an intriguing concept as no reference is found to Radha in Mahabharat or in Srimad Bhagavatham. To my knowledge, even Vishnu Puran which is considered to be most authentic does not seem to have on Radha and Krishna relationship. The only relationship that is most talked about is Krishna’s Rasaleela and his relationship with Krishnai, Draupadi. My rebuttal on Krishna’s relationship with Draupadi is ..
:If Draupadi loved Krishna, she would have garlanded Krishna and Krishna would have earlier met the challenge easily.
Vyasa has not mentioned anything about Krishna and Draupadi being Lovers in his Mahabharata.https://ramanisblog-in.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/ramanisblog.in/2015/12/28/draupadi-lover-of-krishna/amp/?amp_gsa=1&_js_v=a6&usqp=mq331AQKKAFQArABIIACAw%3D%3D#amp_tf=From%20%251%24s&aoh=16425699532605&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&share=https%3A%2F%2Framanisblog.in%2F2015%2F12%2F28%2Fdraupadi-lover-of-krishna%2F
The question from the reader is below.
Respected sir,I am eager to know clearly ( as authentically as possible ) about Raadhai.Relation of Raadhai with Srikrishna does not go well with me. I am not able to give space for Raadhai. Who is she ? It is said that there is no mention of Raadhai in Sreemad Bhaagavatam.We do namaskaaram telling ” Rukmini Sathyabhaama Sametha Sree Gopalakrishna swamine Namah “.Somewhere I read that even Siva when he saw the love play of Raadha and Krishna along with other Gopasthrees, was tempted to enjoy the unparalleled loveplay experience, and He came to Vrindavan in disguise as one of the Gopasthrees to personally see and experience the loveplay of Raadha and Krishna. Is it true ?Krishna is ( was ) a womaniser. ????Philosophically it is said that Gopasthrees are Jeevaathmaas and Srikrishna is the Paramaathma and the loveplay between the Gopasthrees and Srikrishna in the Vrindavan is the process of Jeevaathma becoming one with Paramaathma. That is Aatman realizing it’s identity with ParabrahmamPlease help to clear my Klesam.’
On Krishna’s Rasaleela I have written in detail thus. Lord Krishna With Many Women Rasa Kreeda Why.
Before proceeding to detail about references to Radha and Krishna,it may be understood that Sruthi, Vedas talk of Nirguna Upasna,that is meditating on Reality as One Beyond Attributes.Human mind finds it difficult to focus on Nothing,when you say Nothing or Infinite or Beyond Attributes, to the Mind, it is incomprehensible,though we pretend to understand.So Vedas provide a process for Realisation through Personal God, Iswara. Iswara means Personal God. Patanjali talks about Iswara Pranidhana as one of the important components of Yoga in his Yoga Sutra,though Yoga in its form is meditating on Brahman that is Beyond Attributes, in an attempt to realise it,thus achieving the Union of Apparent reality and Reality.In this method, one is encouraged to meditate on a Form that is most appealing and easy to meditate upon . Thus one finds God , representing Reality ,is in many forms, As a Mother, Father, Friend,Guru,Lover. Thus was formed the Saguna Aradhana of Brahman. This would lead to Nirguna meditation later.Yet nature of Reality is such that the Realisation may be effected through the Forms as well. This, one can find in Bhakthi Yoga.Radha and Krishna narratives is a part of this exercise.
Now to , references in Vedas about Radha and Krishna.
Radhika Thapani Upanishad. This Upanishada belongs to Vajasayeni Shakha of Shukla Yajurveda which is derived by the sage Vajasaneya, the great Brahmavadin from the lineage of sage Yagnyavalkya. The word ‘Radhika’ is formed by the root word ‘Radha’ which comes from the verb ‘Radhayati’ meaning ‘Supremely merciful. Radhika is the magnificent form of Radha when She is engaged in the divine Rasa-dance. The word ‘Tapani’ means ‘a heated and purified blooming gold’ which refers to the superiority and purity of this text. The famous word ‘Upanishada’ means ‘sitting near the Acharya and receiving the knowledge’. Thus is the etymology of the title.
Sri Radhikopanishad from Rigveda
‘Santhi patham
Om vagm me manasi prathishtitha mano mevachi prathishtitha ma vira virma edhi. Vedasya ma anisthaha srutham me ma prahasihi anenadhithe naho rathran Sandadhamryutham vadishyami. Satyam vadishyami. Tanmamavathu. Tadvaktharamavathu. Avathu ma mavathu vakthara mavathu vaktharam.
OM SANTHI! OM SANTHI! OM SANTHI!
Omadhordhva mandhina rishayaha Sanakdya bhagawamtham hiranya garbhamupasitvochu devaka paramodeva ka va tha chakthaya thasuchaka variyasi bhavathithi srushti hethu Bhootha Chakethi. Sahovacha. He puthrakaha srunuthedam havava guhyadguhya tharama prakasyam, yasmikasmina Deyam Snigdhaya, Brahmavadine, Gurubhakthaya, Devamanyadhe dathurmaha davambhava theethi. Krishnohavai Hari Paramo Devaha, Shadvidaisvarya paripurno Bhagawan, Gopi Gopa sevyo Vrindavana Radhitho Vrindavanadhi Nadhaha sa Eka Eveswaraha. Tasya havai dvaita tanurnarayano akhila brahmandadhipathi re kom amsaha Prakritheh pracheeno nithya. Evam hi tasya sakthaya sthvane katha. Ahladini – Sandhini – Gnanechha – Kriyadya, bahuvidhaha sakthaya. Tha Svahladinee Vareeyasi Paramanta Ranga Bhootha Radha, Krishnena Aradhyatha Ithi Radhe, Krishnam Samaradhayathi Sade thi Radhika Gandharve thi Vyapadisyath Ithi Asya Evakaya Vyooha Roopa Gopyo Maheshyaha Sri SchethiYeyam Radha Yascha Krishn Rasa Bdhi rdehe Naikaha Kridaanardham Dridha Bhooth Esha Vai Hareh Sarveswari Sarva Vidya Sanathani Krishna Pranadhi Devi Vivikthe Vedah Sthuvanthi Yasya Gathim Brahma Bhaga Vadanthi: Mahima Yasyaha Svayurmane NapikalenaVakthumNachotsahe Saiva thasya Praseedathi, Yasya Karathalava Kalitham Parama Dhamethi Etha Mava Gnayayaha Krishnamaradhayithu Michchathi Sa Moodhathamo Moodhathama Schethi Adha hai Thani Namani Gayanthi SruthayahiRadha Raseswari Ramya Krishnamanthradhi Devatha Sarvadya Sarvavandya Cha Vrindavane VihariniVrindaradhya Rama Asesha Gopi Mandala PoojithaSathyasatya Para Satyabhama Sri KrishnaVallabha Vrishabhanu Sutha Gopi Mlaprakrithi riswariGandharva Radhika Ramya Rukmini parameswari Paratpara Thara Poorna Poorna Chandranibhanana Bhukthi Mukthi Prada Nithyam Bhava Vyadhi Vinasini Ithyethani Namani Patheth Sa Jeevanmuktho Bhavathi Ithyaho Hiranya Garbho Bhagavanithi Sandhini Thu Dhama Bhooshana Sayyasanadi Mithra Bhrutyadi Roopena Parinatha Mrithyutokavatharena Kate Mathru Pithru Roopene Chasi Ditya ne Kavathara Karana Gyana Sakthisthy Kshethragna Sakthi Rithi Ichchantharbhootha Maya Sathva Rajsthamo Mayi Bahiranga JagatKarana Bhutha Saiva Avidyaroopena Jeeva bandhana Bhooha Kriyasakthisthu Leela Sakthirithi Ya Ima Mupashadamadheethe, So Avrathi Vrathi Bhavathi, Sa Vayu Pu Tho Bhavathi, Sa Sarvaputho Bhavathi, Radha Krishna Priyo Bhavathi, Sa Yava Chakshuh Patham Panktheeh Punathi.
Om Tatsath Ithi Srimad Rigvede Brahmabhage Parama Rahasye Sri Radhikopanishath Sampoorna
Translation:
Once Sages Sanaka and others who are shining with Divine power have praised Brahma Deva and enquired “Oh! God! Among all Gods and Goddesses who are prominent? What are their powers? Among these powers which is the Supreme and Primordial that has caused the existence of creation?
Responding to their questions God Brahma replied “Dear sons listen carefully. This is most sacred truth and the great secret indeed. This should be revealed only to affable Jeeva Brahmavadi and Guru Bhaktha (Devotees of Guru). If this secret is revealed to a non-devotee it would be lead to a great sin.
Lord Sri Krishna is the Supreme Lord. He is the Absolute Divine resplendent with Shadaiswarya (Six Opulences). He is incessantly served and worshipped by Go, Gopa and Gopikas (Cows, Cowherd boys and girls). He is the Lord of Vrindavan. He is the only Sarveswar. Vrinda Devi worships Him. Sriman Narayana is but His own Swaroopa. He is the Lord of all the fourteen universes and is beyond Prakrithi. He is eternal Being. He has great powers like Ahladini, Sandhini, Gnanecha and Kriya. Among them Ahladini is the most prominent power. This Shakthi is of Sri Radha. Lord Sri Krishna himself is engrossed in Her worship.
Sri Radha too worships Krishna continuously as Radhika. Sri Radhika is also known as Gandharva. Out of Her transcendental form all the wives of Krishna and Goddess Lakshmi Devi emerged.
The ocean of Rasa for the sake of Divine play has manifested as two. Sarweswari Radha equals Krishna in all the ‘Kalas’ (Divine aspects). She is the life of Krishna. She is the quintessential Prema Swaroopini. All the Four Vedas worship Sri Radhaji in solitude. The Rishis endowed with Brahma Gnana(Knowledge of Brahman) acclaims Her greatness. Even if I endeavour throughout my life span, I cannot fully describe Her Mahima (paramountcy)) and Her Divine play. That Jeeva who receives Grace of Sriji, he only could reach Her Divine Abode (Parama Dham). That being is a great stupid who worships only Krishna ignoring Sri Radhaji.
Different Names of Sri Radhaji as enshrined in the VEDA:
1.Sri Radha 2. Raseswari 3. Ramya 4.Krishna Manthradhi Devatha 5. Sarvadya 6. Sarva Vandya 7. Vrindavana Viharini 8. Brindaradhya 9. Rama 10. Asesha Gopi Mandala Pujitha 11. Sathyasathya para 12. Sathyabhama 13.Sri Krishna Vallabha 14. Vrisha bhanu Sutha 15.Gopi 6. Moola Prakrithi 17. Eswari 18. Gandharva 19. Radhika 20. Ramya 21.Rukmini 22. Parameswari 23. Parathparathara 24. Poorna 25. Poorna Chandra Nibhanana 26. Bhukthi Mukthi Prada 27. Bhava Vyadhi Vinasini.
That human who recites these Divine names with devotion attains liberation while living on the Earth” said Brahma Deva. After explaining the supremacy of Ahladini Shakthi of Sri Radha “Sandhini Shakthi” is described in this way. This Shakthi assumes the form of Dhama (place of Divine incarnation) Bhushan (ornaments), friends and followers and in the Marthya Loka (plane of the Birth and Death) evolves as Mother and Father. This Sakthi is the reason for all Divine Incarnations.
Gnana Shakthi (power of Knowledge) is called Kshetragna Shakthi ( the power of Kshetragna or Jeeva). This is innate Maya Shakthi of Icha Sakthi (intention). This is basis for “Trigunas” (Satva, Rajo, Tamo) and enshackles the Jeeva to Prakrithi through Avidya (ignorance). The Kriya Shakthi of Lord is Leela Shakthi (Divine Play).
Whoever reads this Upanishad will be endowed with Brahma Gnana (the knowledge of Brahman). He becomes pure and pious and gets the love of Sri Radha Krishna. The graceful vision of this fortunate Jeeva sanctifies the minds of fellow beings.
Om tatsath.
Sri Radhika Tapaniyopanishad in Adharva Veda
Santhi patham
Om bhadram karnebhih srunuyama devah bhadram pasyemakshabhiryajatrah sthirairangaistushtuvag sasthamabhirvya sema devahitam yadayuh ||
Svasthina Indro vruddhasravah svstina poosha.svastinastarthyo arishtanemih svastino brihspatirdadhatu ||
OM SANTHI! OM SANTHI! OM SANTHI!
Sri Radhika Tapaniyopanishad
Brahmavadino vadanti kasmad radhikam upasate Adityoabhyadravat || 1 ||
Srutayah uchuh, Sarvani Radhika ya daivatani sarvani bhootani radhika ya stam namamha || 2 ||
Devatayatanani kampante radhaya hasanti nrutyanti cha sarvani Radha daivatani | Sarvapapakshaya yeti vyahruti bhirhutva adha radhikayai namamaha || 3 ||
Bhasayasyaha Krishna dehopi gauro jayate devasyendraneela prabhasya | bhringah kakah kokilaschapi gaurastam radhikam visvadhatreem namamah || 4 ||
Yasya agamyatam srutayah sankhyayoga vedantani brahmabhavam vadanti | nayam puranani vidanti samyak tam radhikam devadhatrim namamah || 5 ||
Jagadbharturvisvasamohanasya Sri Krishnasya pranato adhikamapi | vrindaranye sveshta deveencha nityam tam Radhikam vanadhatrim namamah || 6 ||
Yasyaharenum padayorvisvabharta dharate moordhni rahasi premayuktah | srasthavenuh kabarim smaredyalleenah Krishnah kreetavat tam namamah || 7 ||
Yasyah kreedam Chandra devapatnoh drishtva magna atmano na smaranti | vrindaranye sthavarah jangamascha bhavavishtam Radhikam tam namamah || 8 ||
Yasya anke viluthan krishnadevo golokakhyam naiva sa smaradhama | padam samsa kamala sailaputrim tam radhikam sakti dhatrim namamah || 9 ||
Svarairgramaischa tribhirmoorcha nabhirgeetam deveem sakhibhih prema baddha | brahmeem nisamyatano deka saktya vrindaranye radhikam tam namamh || 10 ||
Kvachitbhootva dvibhuja Krishna deho vamsirandhraih vadaya masa chakre | yasya bhoosham kunda mandara pushpaih malamkritvanu nameddeva devah || 11 ||
Yeyam Radha yascha Krishno rasabdihi dehaschaikah kreedanardham dvidhabhoot | deho yadha chayaya sobhamanah srunvan pathan yati taddhama suddham || 12 ||
Vasishtancha brihatpatincharvagadhyapayati yajamanaya barhaspatyamcha || 13 ||
A discussion arose among Brahmavadi Rishis as to why only Sri Radhaji should be worshipped. At that very moment a great illumination appeared before them. That light is of the VEDA. It said:
The innate Divine power of all Gods and Goddesses emerged only from Sri Radhika Devi. We the Vedas bow before Sri Radhaji with reverence who is the power and creator of all Gods and Goddesses.
By Her minutest grace, all the Devatas(Angels) dance in ecstasy. By her slightest annoyance they shiver in fear. We too worship Her with our heart and soul to graciously condone our shortcomings.
By whose light the colour of Shyam that resembles the light of Indra Nila Mani, turns into colour of Gold and whose glance the black birds of nature like crows, cuckoos become golden, to that Mother of universes we Salute in veneration.
Whose Divine Glory, we the Vedas, the Upanishads, the Sankhya Yoga could not comprehend, whose glorious Divine Play, the Puranas (Epics) could not depict, to that Brahma Swaroopini Sri Radhaji, we salute with devotion.
We salute Sri Radhaji, who is the Pranadhishtana (life giver) Devatha of the dictator of universes Sri Krishna, who is the worship Goddess of Lord Sri Krishna and who is the protector of devotees.
The ardent devotee of Divine Love, the ruler of universes-Nandanandan, whose feet dust He wears upon His head in whose Love does He forget all His Vibhoothis (Divine Splendours) like the Flute and to whom He sold out Himself, to that Supreme Goddess (Sri Radha Devi) we salute in devotion.
By viewing whose Divine Play Chandra (the Moon) and the celestial maidens forget their body consciousness and are nonplussed in love and ecstasy to that Raseswari (Sri Radha) we offer our Pranamas (Salutation)
Resting in whose lap the Sachidana Purushothama Sri Krishna forgets even Goloka, who is the creator of Goddess Lakshmi and Parvathi, to that ocean of power (Sriji) we salute in deep reverence.
Engrossed in whose Guna Gana (singing of Divine traits) with three varied levels of musical notes (Mandra, Madhyama, Tara/Ghor) the Sakhi Gana (the Group of Sakhis ) of Vrindavan forgot days and nights and carried away by their Love-intensity, who had arranged Brahma Rathri (the night of Brahma) and graced them Ras Ecstasy ceaselessly, to that Prema Murthi (embodiment of Love) we bow in devotion.
Who sings the Flute (Murali) with Her tender fingers assuming the form of Dvibhuja Krishna (Dual Armed Krishna) who is adorned by Nanda Nandan with Jasmine, Kalpa Vriksha flowers, we salute that Sri Radha Devi in devotion.
Sri Radha and Krishna both is one ocean of Rasa. These two Roopa (forms) are like body and its shadow. At any instance, they have no separation. Those devotees who drink the nectar of their Divine play invariably reach the ultimate Divine Abode.
THE LINEAGE OF GURUS AT PRESENT FOR THIS PHILOSOPHY
The knowledge of this Theatre (philosophy) passes on from the Sun to Sage Vasishta, from Vasishta to Brihaspathi and from him to his disciples Kacha, Indra etc.,
The Radhikopanishad contained in Adharvana Veda is completed…
References in Vedas Tantra Sastra.
. SAMAVEDA RAHASYA
Anadyogam Puruha Eka Evasthi Tadekam Roopam Dwidha Vidhaya Sarvam Rasan Samaharathi Svayameva Nayikaroopam Vidhaya, SamaradhanaTat paro bhooth Tasmath tham Radham Rasikanandam Vedavido Vadanthi
The primodial ‘Purusha’ is one. By becoming two forms He illumines all Rasas. Himself assuming as Nayika, He also became Goddess of worship. The Vedic Rishis addressed Her as ‘Radha’.
2. Radhika Taponiyopanishad of Adharvana Veda
Yeyam Radha Yascha Krishno Rasabdhi Dve Drukchaika, Kridanardham Divdhabhooth Deho Yadha Chayaya Sobha mana
Sri Radha and Sri Krishna are not two but they are one ocean of Rasa. They are one and the same like a body and its shadow.
3. Brihadarnyaka Upanishad – 4th Brahmana
Savai naiva rame Tasmadekaki Na Ramathi Sa Dvithi Ya Maichath
He cannot play. He cannot play by being alone. So he intended for His second form.
4. Taithariyopanishad
Raso Vaisaha
He is Rasa.
5. Gopalothara Tapinyopanishad
Yadgandhar vethi Visnuthahladini Ya Mahasakthi Sarvasakthi Variyasi Tatsara Bhoga Roopam Yamithi Tanthre Prathishtitha Sushtukantha Swaroope Yam Sarvade Varsha Bhanavi Dhrutha Shodasa Sringari Dwadasa Bharana Sritha
Who is renowned as Gandharva, who is enshrined as supreme power or Hladini Shakthi, or essence of all the Divine powers in the Tantras, that glorious power is resplendent as the daughter of king Vrishabhanu. She is ‘Radha’
6. Gopala Tapinyopanishad
Tatra Radha Tapinyam Dadhethi Parama Prakrithi Sa Eva Lakshmi Sa Saraswathi, Sa Eva Loka Kathri, Loka Matha, Deva Janani, Goloka Vasini, Goloka ni Yanthri, Vai Kunthadhishtathri Thi Saisahi Radhika, Gopi Janaha Tasya Sakhi jana
Sri Radha is primordial form of Prakrithi(nature). She is Lakshmi, creator of worlds, Mother of Gods, controller and inhabitant of Goloka, presiding Deity of Divine Abode Vaikuntha. She is Radhika. Gopis are Her companions (Sakhis)
7. RIGVEDIC HYMN (Suktha -15, Manthra -5)
Brahmanadindra Radha Sa Apiva Somamrutharanu Thavedvi Sakhya Mathrutham
Oh! Prabrahama Swaroopa, Krishna, you drink the Somarasa, graced by Sri Radha. You are naturally drawn towards it.
b.Idam Hyanvo Japa Sutham Radhanam Pathepina Tvasva Girvana (Sukta-3 Manthra-10)
You have been captivated by the embodiment of Mahabhava -Sri Radha. Oh! Radhapathi, the Sruthis (Vedas) appearing as the Gopis had extolled your Divine Love. And the creator of Gopis Sri Radha had captivated you by Her Love.
c.Vibhaktharam Hava Mahe Vasoschithra Sya Radha SaSavitharam Nru Chakshasam (Rigvedic Literature)
We invite that Sri Krishna who has taken away Sri Radha separating Her from the Gopis.
8.RIGVEDA PARISISHTA
“Ekam Jyothi Rabhoo Dvidha Radha Madhava Roopakam” ‘Parabrahma’
The one single effulgence ‘Parabrahma’ is resplendent in two ways as Radha and Madhava.
9.RIGVEDA PARISISHTA
Radjaya Madhavo Devo Madhave Naiva Radhika Vibhrajantha Janeshva
Sri Radha along with Sri Krishna and Sri Krishna along with Radhika have been resplendent in their eternal true form.
4. Tanthras
1. BRIHATH GAUTAMIYA TANTRA
Devee Krishna Mayee Proktha Radhika Paradevatha Sarva Lakshmi Mayi Sarva Kanthi Sammohini Para
Sri Radhika, it was stated is replete with Krishna. She is the essence repository of spiritual prosperity. she is resplendent with majestic illumination, and attracts all the universes effortlessly (Sammohi ni). She is Para shakthi.’ More information may be found at the following Link from where information is quoted in this article and please visit the site at the Link for very informative articles.
g/brindavaneswari3/brindavaneswari_3_2.html
More articles of mine on this subject. https://ramanisblog.in/2014/03/07/33-names-of-krishna-by-lord-narayana/.
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