The Divine Love of Radha-Krishna

Shri Radha Rani, beloved daughter of Vrishabhanu and Kirti Maiya, grew up in Barsana, and Shri Krishna in Nandgaon. The land between the two villages — Sanket, Prem Sarovar, Gahvar Van — is regarded as witness to countless Leelas of the divine couple’s love.

Shri Radha’s name does not appear explicitly in the Srimad Bhagavatam, but the Raas episode mentions a special gopi whom the Lord took with Him; many acharyas understand this as a reference to Shri Radha. Detailed descriptions of the love-Leelas of Radha-Krishna are found in Jayadeva’s “Gita Govinda”, the Brahmavaivarta Purana, the Garga Samhita, and the saint-literature of the Gaudiya, Nimbarka, Radhavallabh and Haridasi traditions.

The Vaishnava traditions view this love with different bhavas — in some, Shri Radha is the Lord’s hladini shakti (pleasure potency); in others she herself is the worshipped Swamini. All share one thing: this love is selfless, pure and the highest ideal of bhakti.

The Lathmar Holi of Barsana and Nandgaon keeps this tradition of loving play alive today.