7) JAYA RADHA MADHAVA - Beloved of Radha

Radha, the most esoteric of the Vedic conclusion. In traditional Vedic literature, Krishna is compared to the sun, and Radha to the sunshine. Both exist simultaneously, but one is coming from the other. Still, it is a misconception to say that the sun is prior to the sunshine – as soon as there is a sun, there is sunshine. More importantly, the sun has no meaning without sunshine, without heat and light. And heat and light would not exist without the sun. Thus, the sun and the sunshine co-exist, each equally important for the existence of the other. They are simultaneously one and different.

Likewise, the relationship between Radha and Krishna is that of inconceivable identity in difference. They are, in essence, a single entity – God, who manifest as two distinct individuals for the sake of interpersonal exchange.

“Lord Krishna enchants the world, but Sri Radha enchants even Him. Therefore She is the supreme Goddess of all.” (Chaitanya-charitamrita, Adi-lila 4.95)

To increase the joy of relationship, Radha further expands into the many gopi’s (cowherd maidens) of Vraj (the spiritual world, of which a material version exists in India, known as Vraj or Vrindavan, birthplace of Krishna). God expands as two, to show that it is interpersonal relationship, in essence, love, that is at the heart of true spirituality.

Jaya Radha-Madhava, jaya kunja-bihari

Jaya gopi-jana-vallabha, jaya giri-vara-dhari

Yasoda-nandana, braja-jana-ranjana

Yamuna-tira-vana-cari

Krishna is the beloved of Radha. He displays many loving pastimes in the groves of Vrindavan. He is the lover of the cowherd maidens of Vraj, the holder of the great hill named Govardhana, the beloved son of mother Yasoda, the delighter of the inhabitants of Vraj, and He wanders in the forests along the banks of the River Yamuna.