Radha

Radhika · Radharani · Shriji · Vrindavaneshvari

Krishna's beloved, the highest image of devotion in the bhakti of Vraja.

Abode: Barsana and Vrindavan; Goloka
Consort: Krishna
Vahana: None
Colour: Golden-fair
Arms: 2

Radha is the cowherd girl of Barsana whose love for Krishna is the purest form of bhakti. In the Gaudiya and Vallabha traditions she is Krishna's own power of joy, inseparable from him: they are worshipped together as Radha-Krishna, and in Vrindavan devotees greet one another with 'Radhe Radhe'.

Mantra

राधे राधे

Radhe Radhe

The name of Radha, used as a greeting and a prayer in Vraja.

रूप और प्रतीक

How Radha is shown

A young woman in a bright lehenga and veil standing at Krishna's left, often holding a lotus or a flower garland.

Lotus or garland: Love offered without asking anything back.
Standing at Krishna's left: The two halves of one divine reality.

कथाएँ

Stories

Holi in Barsana

Krishna, troubled by his dark skin beside Radha's fair one, was told by his mother to colour her face. The playful colouring is remembered each year in the Lathmar Holi of Barsana and Nandgaon.

Related forms

कृष्ण
Krishna