Editing Radha (section)

== Legends ==
===As a milkmaid===
Radha in her human form is revered as the milkmaid ([[gopi]]) of Vrindavan who became the beloved of Krishna. One of the basic traits of Radha is her unconditional love for Krishna and her sufferings that forms the basis for Radha's exaltation as a model of devotion.{{sfn|Pauwels|1996}}

==== Birth and early life ====
[[File:Bal Radha.jpg|thumb|A statue of Radha as a child in Raval temple.]]

Radha was born to [[Vrishabhanu|Vrishbhanu]], who was the [[Yadava]] ruler of [[Barsana]] and his wife Kirtida.<ref name="Saraswati2001">{{cite book|author=Prakashanand Saraswati|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IhLN2I9yTTkC&q=vrishbhanu%20barsana&pg=PA666|title=The True History and the Religion of India: A Concise Encyclopedia of Authentic Hinduism|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publ.|year=2001|isbn=978-81-208-1789-0|pages=666–}}</ref><ref name="Varma2009">{{cite book|author=Pavan K. Varma|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_anlsbp56aoC&pg=PA46|title=The Book of Krishna|date=July 2009|publisher=Penguin Books India|isbn=978-0-14-306763-4|pages=46–}}</ref><ref name="Vishwananda2017">{{cite book|author=Paramahamsa Sri Swami Vishwananda|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CJ3JDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT1472|title=Shreemad Bhagavad Gita: The Song of Love|date=12 January 2017|publisher=Bhakti Marga Publications|isbn=978-3-940381-70-5|pages=1472–}}</ref> Her birthplace is Raval which is a small town near [[Gokul]] in [[Uttar Pradesh|Uttar pradesh]], but is often said to be [[Barsana]] where she grew up.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Anand |first=D. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EsvSwdUgQYcC |title=Krishna: The Living God of Braj |date=1992 |publisher=Abhinav Publications |isbn=978-81-7017-280-2 |pages=66 |language=en}}</ref> According to popular legend, Radha was discovered by Vrishbhanu on an effulgent lotus floating in [[Yamuna]] river. Radha was nine months older than Krishna.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Anand |first=D. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EsvSwdUgQYcC&q=radha&pg=PA61 |title=Krishna: The Living God of Braj |date=1992 |publisher=Abhinav Publications |isbn=978-81-7017-280-2 |pages=35–36 |language=en |quote=Radha was only nine months elder to Krishna, to whom she was married.}}</ref> She didn't open her eyes until Krishna himself in his child form appeared in front of her.<ref name="Dash">{{cite book|author=Trilochan Dash|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7YjhTtkcwE0C&q=Brushabhanu%20Yadav%20chieftain&pg=PA192|title=Krishna Leeela in Brajamandal a Retrospect|publisher=Soudamini Dash|pages=192–|id=GGKEY:N5C1YTUK5T3}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NbDWAAAAMAAJ&q=vrishabhanu+yadava|title=The Vedanta Kesari|publisher=Sri Ramakrishna Math.|year=1970}}</ref><ref name="Das1990">{{cite book|author=R. K. Das|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OXXXAAAAMAAJ&q=vrishabhanu+yadav|title=Temples of Vrindaban|publisher=Sandeep Prakashan|year=1990|isbn=978-81-85067-47-6}}</ref>

"[[Ashtasakhi]]s" (translated to eight friends) are the integral part of Radha's childhood and youth.<ref>{{Cite web |last=gaudiya |date=2021-08-07 |title=Ashta Sakhi of Radha—8 Principal Gopis of Vrindavan |url=https://thegaudiyatreasuresofbengal.com/2021/08/07/ashta-sakhi-of-sri-radha-eight-gopis-of-vrindavan/ |access-date=2023-07-06 |website=The Gaudiya Treasures of Bengal |language=en-US}}</ref> It is believed that all the ''Ashtasakhis''  are the intimate friends of Radha Krishna and also have descended from [[Goloka]] in [[Braj]] region. Out of all the eight sakhis, [[Lalita (gopi)|Lalita]] and Vishakha are the prominent ones.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Radhe.net {{!}} General Description of All The Gopis|url=http://radhe.net/radhas-friends/general-description.php|access-date=2021-05-30|website=radhe.net}}</ref> According to [[Chaitanya Charitamrita]]'s Antya lila (2:6:116), Radha also received a boon from sage [[Durvasa]] in her childhood that whatever she cooks would be better than the nectar.<ref>{{Cite web|title=gp-durvasas|url=https://www.salagram.net/gp-durvasas.htm|access-date=2021-05-30|website=www.salagram.net}}</ref>

====Youth====
[[File:Radha, Krishna and the gopis, Bharatiya Lok Kala Museum, Udaipur, India.jpg|thumb|upright| [[Radha Krishna]]'s Raslila with [[gopi]]s.]]
Stories of Radha's youth are filled with her divine pastimes with Krishna.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Fahy|first=John|date=2018-07-23|title=The Constructive Ambiguity of Vedic Culture in ISKCON Mayapur|journal=The Journal of Hindu Studies|volume=11|issue=3|pages=234–259|doi=10.1093/jhs/hiy008|issn=1756-4255}}</ref> Some of the popular pastimes of Radha Krishna include: ''[[Raslila]]'', pastimes of ''[[Radha Kund]]'', ''[[Gopashtami]] lila'',<ref>{{Cite web|title=Gopastami – ISKCON VRINDAVAN|url=https://iskconvrindavan.com/2017/10/gopastami/|access-date=2021-05-30|language=en-US}}</ref> ''[[Lathmar Holi]]'', ''Seva Kunj lila'' in which Krishna did sringara of Radha,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sewa Kunj or Nikunja Vana - Divine Pastimes|url=https://brajrasik.org/articles/5912a87b11ec2c04484ec006/sewa-kunj-or-nikunja-vana-divine-pastimes|access-date=2021-05-30|website=Braj Ras - Bliss of Braj Vrindavan.}}</ref> ''Maan lila'' ( A special stage in divine love in which the devotee develops so much love for God as to even attain the right of getting angry with him),<ref>{{Cite web|title=Maan Garh/Mandir, Barsana - (Divine Pastimes)|url=https://brajrasik.org/articles/588e4c1158f4ac271a08b95c/maan-garh-mandir-divine-pastimes|access-date=2021-05-30|website=Braj Ras - Bliss of Braj Vrindavan.}}</ref> ''Mor Kutir lila'' in which Krishna performed a dance lila by dressing himself as a peacock to please Radha,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Morkuti, Barsana|url=https://brajrasik.org/media/morkuti|access-date=2021-05-30|website=Braj Ras - Bliss of Braj Vrindavan.}}</ref> ''Gopadevi lila'' (Krishna took form of female to meet Radha) and ''Lilahava'' in which Radha Krishna dressed in each other clothes.<ref>{{Cite web|title=(Radha and Krishna Dressed in Each Other's Clothes - Lilahava|url=http://www.harekrsna.de/clothes-exchange.htm|access-date=2021-05-30|website=www.harekrsna.de}}</ref>

==== Relationship with Krishna ====
Radha and Krishna share two kinds of relationships, Parakiya (Love without any social limitation) and Svakiya (married relationship).{{efn|Parakiya rasa depicts the relationship which is free from any kind of favors, expectations, rules and social recognition. It is only based on the selfless form of love and is often said to be the highest kind of relationship one can have with God. Svakiya rasa depicts the marital relationship which works according to the social rules and norms.}} Radha asked Krishna why he can't marry her, the reply came "Marriage is a union of two souls. You and I are one soul, how can I marry myself?"{{sfn|Pauwels|2008|pp=13–14}} Several Hindu texts allude to these circumstances.{{Sfn|Kinsley|1988}}
[[File:Radha Krishna Bhandirvan 2.jpg|thumb|Radha Krishna's marriage is being performed by Brahma in Bhandirvan, Vrindavan]]

The Sanskrit texts, ''[[Brahma Vaivarta Purana]]'' and the ''[[Garga Samhita (Vaishnavite text)|Garga Samhita]]'' mention that Krishna secretly married Radha in the presence of [[Brahma]] in the ''[[Bhandirvan, Vrindavan|Bhandirvan]]'' forest before leaving [[Vrindavan]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Gita Press Gorakhpur |url=https://archive.org/details/brahma-vaivarta-puran-gita-press-gorakhpur/page/n490/mode/1up |title=Brahma Vaivarta Puran Gita Press Gorakhpur |pages=481–488}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Gita Press Gorakhpur |url=https://archive.org/details/garga-samhita-gita-press-gorakhpur/page/n61/mode/1up |title=Garga Samhita by Gita Press Gorakhpur |pages=58}}</ref> The place where [[Radha Krishna]]'s marriage was conducted is still present in the outskirts of Vrindavan, called [[Radha Krishna Vivah Sthali, Bhandirvan]].<ref name=":1" /> The story mentioned in Brahma Vaivarta Purana indicates that Radha has always been Krishna's divine consort. But to give importance to Parakiya relationship (love without any social foundation) over Svakiya's (married relationship), Radha Krishna's marriage was kept hidden.{{sfn|Beck|2005|pp=71, 77–78}}{{sfn|Pintchman|2005|pp=57–59}}{{sfn|Varma|1993|p=}}{{sfn|Pauwels|2008|p=207}}

==== Life after Krishna left Vrindavan ====
According to ''[[Garga Samhita (Vaishnavite text)|Garga Samhita]]'' and ''[[Brahma Vaivarta Purana]]'', Radha also left her home post Krishna's departure and went to Kadli vann (forest) leaving behind her illusionary form (also called ''Chaya Radha,'' her shadow) in Barsana. Radha with [[Ashtasakhi]] also met [[Uddhava]] in this forest who delivered them Krishna's message.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Gita Press Gorakhpur |url=https://archive.org/details/garga-samhita-gita-press-gorakhpur/page/n222/mode/1up |title=Garga Samhita by Gita Press Gorakhpur |pages=217–224}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Gita Press Gorakhpur |url=https://archive.org/details/brahma-vaivarta-puran-gita-press-gorakhpur/page/n728/mode/1up |title=Brahma Vaivarta Puran by Gita Press Gorakhpur |pages=717–720}}</ref>

==== Reuniting with Krishna ====
[[File:Radha and Krsna Seated in a Grove with Gopis and Gopas.jpg|thumb|Radha and Gopis meeting Krishna in forest.]]

It is mentioned in Brahma Vaivarta Purana (''Krishnajanma Khanda, Chapter 96'')<ref>{{Cite book |last=Gita Press Gorakhpur |url=https://archive.org/details/brahma-vaivarta-puran-gita-press-gorakhpur/page/n795/mode/1up |title=Brahma Vaivarta Puran by Gita Press Gorakhpur |pages=786}}</ref> and Garga Samhita (''Ashvamedha Khanda, Chapter 41'')<ref>{{Cite book |last=Gita Press Gorakhpur |url=https://archive.org/details/garga-samhita-gita-press-gorakhpur/page/n512/mode/1up |title=Garga Samhita by Gita Press Gorakhpur |pages=508–510}}</ref> that after the curse of 100 years of separation ran out,{{efn|According to Garga Samhita and Brahma Vaivarta Purana, Radha was cursed by Sridama in Goloka to bear 100 years of separation from Krishna when they descended on Earth.}} Krishna revisited Braj and met Radha and gopis. After performing the divine pastimes for sometime, Krishna summoned a huge divine chariot which took the residents of Braj along with Radha and gopis back to their celestial abode Goloka where the final reunion of Radha Krishna took place.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Gita Press Gorakhpur |url=https://archive.org/details/garga-samhita-gita-press-gorakhpur/page/n564/mode/1up |title=Garga Samhita by Gita Press Gorakhpur |pages=560–561}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Gita Press Gorakhpur |url=https://archive.org/details/brahma-vaivarta-puran-gita-press-gorakhpur/page/n799/mode/1up |title=Brahma Vaivarta Puran by Gita Press Gorakhpur |pages=790–791}}</ref>{{Sfn|Dalal|2010|p=322}}

=== As Supreme Goddess ===
[[File:Krishna humbly standing before an enthroned Radha. Chromolit Wellcome V0045022.jpg|thumb|Radha depicted as Supreme goddess while [[Krishna]] humbly stands in front of her.]]

In ''[[Brahma Vaivarta Purana]]'', Radha (or Rādhikā), who is inseparable from Krishna, appears as the main goddess.<ref>[https://andhrabharati.com/dictionary/sanskrit/index.php?w=%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%88%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4 Brahmavaivarta]''</ref> She is mentioned as the personification of the Mūlaprakriti, the "Root nature", that original seed from which all material forms evolved. In the company of the Purusha ("Man", "Spirit", "Universal soul") Krishna, she is said to inhabit the [[Goloka]], which is a world of cows and cowherds far above the [[Vishnu]]'s [[Vaikuntha]]. In this divine world, Krishna and Radha relate to one another in the way body relates to the soul. (4.6.216)<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Dimitrova|first1=Diana|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=p2JgDwAAQBAJ&q=goddess+Radha|title=Divinizing in South Asian Traditions|last2=Oranskaia|first2=Tatiana|date=2018-06-14|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-351-12360-0}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Amore|first=Roy C|title=Religion in India|date=1976|url=https://academic.oup.com/jaar/article-lookup/doi/10.1093/jaarel/XLIV.2.366-a|journal=Journal of the American Academy of Religion|language=en|volume=XLIV|issue=2|pages=366–a–366|doi=10.1093/jaarel/XLIV.2.366-a|issn=0002-7189|url-access=subscription}}</ref>

According to [[Krishnaism]], Radha is the chief female deity and is associated with Krishna's maya (material energy) and [[Prakṛti|prakriti]] (feminine energy). At highest level Goloka, Radha is said to be united with Krishna and abiding with him in the same body. The relationship between [[Radha Krishna]] is that of substance and attribute: they are as inseparable as Milk and its whiteness or Earth and its smell. This level of Radha's identity transcends her material nature as prakriti and exits in the form of pure consciousness ([[Naradiya Purana|Narada Purana]], Uttara Khana - 59.8). While Radha is identical to Krishna at this highest level, this merger of identities seems to end when she separates from him. After separation she manifest herself as the goddess Primordial prakriti (Mūlaprakriti) who is called the "Maker of Universe" or "Mother of All" (Narada Purana, Purva-Khanda, 83.10-11, 83.44, 82.214).<ref>{{Cite book |last=Pintchman |first=Tracy |url={{Google books|JfXdGInecRIC|page=|keywords=|text=|plainurl=yes}} |title=Seeking Mahadevi: Constructing the Identities of the Hindu Great Goddess |date=2001-06-14|publisher=SUNY Press|isbn=978-0-7914-9049-5}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Pintchman |first=Tracy |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JsDpBwAAQBAJ |title=Rise of the Goddess in the Hindu Tradition, The |date=2015-04-08 |publisher=State University of New York Press |isbn=978-1-4384-1618-2 |pages=159 |language=en |quote=Radha is said to be produced from half of Krishna's body and she manifest as Mulaprakriti Isvari, the Primordial Goddess Prakriti.}}</ref>

In [[Nimbarkacharya]]'s ''Vedanta Kamadhenu Dashashloki'' (verse 6), it is clearly stated that:
{{Verse translation
|Ange tu vaame vrishabhaanujaam mudaa viraajamaanaam anuruupasaubhagaam {{!}}
Sakhiisahasraih parisevitaam sadaa smarema deviim sakalestakaamadaam {{!}}{{!}}
|The left portion of the body of the Supreme Lord is Srimati Radha, seated blissfully, as beautiful as the Lord Himself; who is served by thousands of gopis: we meditate on the Supreme Goddess, the fulfiller of all desires.}}

In the hymnal ''Hita-Caurasi'' of [[Hith Harivansh Mahaprabhu]], the 16th-century bhakti poet-saint, founder of [[Radha Vallabh Sampradaya]], Radharani is exalted to the status of the only ultimate deity, while her consort Krishna is just her most intimate subordinate.{{sfnm|1a1=White|1y=1977|1p=|2a1=Snell|2y=1991|2p=|3a1=Beck|3y=2005|3p=76}} As a precursor to this view can be understand [[Jayadeva]], in whose ''[[Gita Govinda]]'' (10.9) Krishna is beneath Radha.{{sfn|Beck|2005|p=76}}

Radha is also considered as the personification of Krishna's love. According to doctrines attributed to Vaishnavite saint [[Chaitanya Mahaprabhu]], It is said that, Krishna has three powers: the internal which is intelligence, the external which generates appearances and the differentiated which forms the individual soul. His chief power is that which creates dilatation of the heart or joy. This appears to be the power of love. When this love becomes settled in the heart of the devotee, it constitutes ''Mahabhava'', or the best feeling. When love attains to the highest pitch, it constitutes itself into Radha, who is the most lovable of all and full of all qualities. She was the object of the highest love of Krishna and being idealized as love, some of the agreeable feelings of the heart are considered her ornaments.<ref>{{Citation|title=XXIII. Caitanya|date=1913-12-31|url=https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/9783111551975-023/html|work=Vaisnavism, Saivism and minor religious systems|pages=82–86|publisher=De Gruyter|doi=10.1515/9783111551975-023|isbn=978-3-11-155197-5|access-date=2021-06-13|url-access=subscription}}</ref>

In [[Pancharatra|Narada Pancharatra Samhita]], Radha is mentioned as the feminine form of Krishna. It is described that, the one single lord is represented to have become two—one a woman and the other a man. Krishna retained his form of man while the female form became Radha. Radha is said to have come out from primordial body of Krishna, forming his left side, and is eternally associated with him in his amorous sports in this world as well as the world of cows ([[Goloka]]).<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":5">{{Cite book|last=Bhandarkar|first=R. G.|title=Vaisnavism, Saivism and minor religious systems|chapter-url=https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/9783111551975-010/html|chapter=X. The Pāñcaratra or Bhāgavata System|date=2019-05-20|pages=38–41|publisher=De Gruyter|isbn=978-3-11-155197-5|language=en|doi=10.1515/9783111551975-010}}</ref>

Radha is often identified with the "sweet" aspect of goddess [[Lakshmi]]'s essence and thus also worshiped as an [[avatar]]a of Lakshmi. In ''Shri Daivakrita Lakshmi Strotam'', Lakshmi is praised and glorified in her form of Radha<ref>{{Cite book|last=Monaghan|first=Patricia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qotjet-Hb0MC|title=Goddesses in World Culture|publisher=ABC-CLIO|year=2011|isbn=978-0-313-35465-6|location=United States of America|pages=1–7}}</ref>

{{Poem quote|text=In Goloka, you are the goddess more dear to Krishna than life itself, His own Radhika.
Deep in the Vrinda forest, you are the mistress of mesmerizing rasa dance.|source=Shri Daivakrita Lakshmi Strotam}}

According to the ''[[Garga Samhita (Vaishnavite text)|Garga Samhita]]'' (Canto 2, chapter 22, verses 26–29), during the [[Raslila|rasa]] pastime, on the request of [[gopi]]s, Radha and Krishna showed them their eight armed forms and turned into their [[Lakshmi Narayan]] forms. (2.22.26)<ref>{{Cite book |last=Gita Press Gorakhpur |url=https://archive.org/details/garga-samhita-gita-press-gorakhpur/page/n118/mode/1up |title=Garga Samhita Gita Press Gorakhpur |pages=114–115}}</ref> 

In ''[[Skanda Purana]]'' (Vaishnava Khand, chapter 128), [[Yamuna in Hinduism|Yamuna]] describes Radha as the soul of Krishna. She emphasis that "''Radha is Krishna and Krishna is Radha''" and all the queens of Krishna including [[Rukmini]] are the expansion of Radha.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Gita Press Gorakhpur |url=https://archive.org/details/skanda-puran-gita-press-gorakhpur/page/n493/mode/1up |title=Skanda Puran by Gita Press Gorakhpur |edition=19 |pages=465–466}}</ref>