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This is the captivating story of Radha, whose birth was arranged by Lord Vishnu due to Lord Surya's strong affection, and her extraordinary love story with Krishna, which went beyond mortal and divine realms.
Characters in the story:
Lord Vishnu: Lord Vishnu is one of the three major deities in Hinduism, known as the preserver of the universe and the protector of dharma (righteousness). He is often depicted with four arms holding a conch shell, a discus, a mace, and a lotus flower.
Lord Surya: Surya is the sun god in Hinduism. He is traditionally one of the major five deities in the Smarta tradition, all of whom are considered equivalent deities in the Panchayatana puja and a means to realize Brahman.
Radha: Radha, also called Radhika and Radharani, is a Hindu goddess and the chief consort of the god Krishna. She is the goddess of love, tenderness, compassion, and devotion. She is the feminine counterpart and internal potency (hladini shakti) of Krishna.
Lord Krishna: Lord Krishna is one of the most popular and revered deities in Hinduism. He is worshiped as the eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu and is known for his divine teachings in the Bhagavad Gita and for his role in the epic Mahabharata.
During the epic event of Sagar Manthan, a fierce battle unfolded between the Asuras (demons) and the Devas (gods), each vying for possession of the coveted Amrita, the elixir of immortality. The Asuras, cunning as ever, manipulated the situation to secure the Amrita for themselves, infuriating the Devas. In a bid to thwart the nefarious plans of the demons, Lord Vishnu, the preserver of the universe, assumed a form of supreme beauty and grace: that of Mohini.
Mohini had an irresistible charm and the ability to seduce anyone. She used her charm to trick the Asuras, making them give up the nectar willingly. She cleverly gave the nectar to the Devas, ensuring that it ended up in the right hands—the divine ones.
Mohini was incredibly beautiful, and everyone who saw her was enchanted by her looks. Even Lord Shiva, who is usually very composed, couldn’t help but be fascinated by her. Everyone around wanted to be her partner or spouse and felt strong desires for her.
But there was one god, Lord Surya, who felt something different. Instead of desiring Mohini romantically, he felt a deep affection for her, like a father would feel for his daughter. He prayed earnestly, asking for the blessing of having a daughter as radiant as Mohini.
Observing these sentiments with his divine vision, Lord Vishnu was deeply moved by Lord Surya’s feelings. Impressed and touched, Vishnu promised to fulfill his heartfelt wish. He revealed that in the upcoming Dvapara Yuga, he would descend to Earth in the form of Krishna, and his Hladini Shakti (spiritual energy) would manifest as a daughter. Lord Surya would play a crucial role in bringing her into existence.
As foretold, Vishnu’s Hladini Shakti manifested as Radha, and Lord Surya played a vital role in her manifestation. Radha was discovered as an infant, lying on a radiant lotus in the Yamuna River by a Yadava ruler of Barsana, near Mathura in Uttar Pradesh. She was nine months older than Krishna and remained with her eyes closed until the young Krishna appeared before her in his child form.
In Sanatana belief, Radha is revered as a goddess of empathy, affection, tenderness, and unwavering devotion. She is depicted as the chief of the gopis, the milkmaids who were devoted to Krishna. Often referred to as Radharani, she is considered the divine feminine counterpart and the internal potency (Hladini Shakti) of Krishna, residing in Goloka, the celestial abode of Radha and Krishna. Goloka is often represented as the celestial realm containing flowing streams, and lovely gardens, and is inhabited by cows and enchanting maidens—the Gopis.
While Radha is acknowledged as a goddess, it is Rukmini who is primarily regarded as the wife of Krishna. Radha’s profound and selfless love for Krishna is the primary reason for her elevation to the status of a goddess. Temples across India venerate her alongside Krishna.
Radha symbolizes the ultimate manifestation of the divine energy, appearing both as a male (Lord Vishnu) and a female (Mohini and occasionally Goddess Lakshmi), while Krishna represents divinity itself. Their profound love serves as a shining example of the passionate longing that every devotee harbors for union with the divine. Radha and Krishna, inseparable in their devotion, have now become inseparable in the hearts of their devotees, transcending traditional distinctions. Radha remains an integral part of Krishna, serving as an eternal testament to their divine love.
