Radha’s first glimpse of Krishna

One day, Shri Radha’s two main companions, Lalita and Vishakha, arrived at the house of Vrishabhanu and met Shri Radha.

The companions said, 'O Radha! The one you constantly think of and praise comes daily to Vrishabhanupura with his cowherd friends. Radha, you must see him in the early morning when he leaves for cow-grazing. He is exceedingly beautiful.'

Radha replied, 'First, draw his charming image and show it to me, and then I will see him.'

Then, both companions quickly drew a beautiful image of Krishna, capturing the sweetness of his youthful form. They handed this picture to Radha. Seeing this picture, Radha’s heart blossomed with joy, and she felt an intense longing for Krishna’s darshan. Gazing at the picture in her hand, she fell asleep, lost in bliss. In her dream, she saw the dark-hued Shyam Sundar, draped in yellow garments, dancing close to her in a part of the Bhandiravan forest along the Yamuna.

At that moment, Radha woke up, and feeling deeply separated from Krishna, she considered the entire universe insignificant in comparison to him. Meanwhile, on the other side, Krishna came to the narrow lane of Vrishabhanu’s village. A companion of Radha came to the window and let Radha see him. As soon as she saw Krishna, Radha fainted. Krishna, who had assumed a human form for his divine play, saw the beautiful and charming daughter of Vrishabhanu and felt an overwhelming desire to be with her. He then returned to his house. Seeing Radha so distressed by the separation from Krishna and consumed by the fire of passion, Lalita, the best among Radha’s companions, spoke to her lovingly.

'Radha! Why are you so restless? Why did you faint? If you truly wish to attain Lord Hari, then make your love for him firm. He alone holds the power over all the joys of the three worlds. Only he can extinguish the fire of sorrow.'

Hearing Lalita’s gentle words, the queen of Vraja, Shri Radha, opened her eyes and, in a voice filled with emotion, spoke to her dear friend.

Radha said, 'Friend! If I do not attain the lotus feet of Shyamsundar, I will not continue to live — this is my resolve.'

Hearing this from Shri Radha, Lalita, overwhelmed with worry, went to Krishna by the banks of the Yamuna. She found him alone, seated under a Kadamba tree, surrounded by the humming of bees and covered by the creepers of the Madhavi vine. There, Lalita spoke to Shri Hari.

Lalita said, 'O Shyamsundar! From the moment Shri Radha saw your enchanting form, she has been overcome by a state of silent longing, unable to speak. Ornaments feel like searing flames to her; fine clothes feel as uncomfortable as hot sand. Every fragrance is bitter, and her grand house, filled with attendants, seems like a lonely forest. My friend sees gardens as thorny thickets and the moon’s light as poison due to her separation from you. O beloved, grant her your darshan soon, for only your presence can relieve her sorrows. You are the witness of all; what can be hidden from you on this earth? You alone create, sustain, and dissolve this world. Although you are equally disposed toward all, you have a special affection for your devotees.'

Listening to these gentle words from Lalita, Lord Krishna, the divine being of Vraja, spoke in a voice deep as thunder.

The Lord said, 'O graceful one! True devotion must flow entirely toward me, the Supreme Being. Love is the only means by which one can truly attain me. The desire that arose in Shri Radha’s heart at Bhandiravan will be fulfilled in the same form. The wise embrace love that is without cause or condition, transcending the three modes of nature. Those who see no difference between me, Keshava, and Shri Radha, like milk and its essence, have within their hearts the signs of unconditional devotion and attain my supreme abode, Goloka. Those who foolishly consider a difference between me, Keshava, and Shri Radha suffer in the hell of Kaal Sutra as long as the sun and moon exist.'

Hearing Krishna’s words, Lalita bowed and returned to Shri Radha. She went to her in private, with a sweet smile on her face.

Lalita said, 'Friend! Just as you desire Shri Krishna, so does he wish for you. The energy of both of you is one and inseparable. People, out of ignorance, see it as two; you are for Shri Krishna alone. Perform selfless actions so that your desires may be fulfilled through supreme devotion.'

Hearing these words from her friend Lalita, Radha, the queen of Raas, spoke to Chandraanana, her companion and a knower of all dharma.

Shri Radha said, 'Dear friend, suggest to me a way of worship that would bring joy to Shri Krishna. This worship should be one that brings great fortune, immense virtue, and grants one’s deepest wishes. Tell me about some vow or worship that I can perform.'

Lessons -

1. Radha's profound longing for Krishna upon seeing his image—and later, his actual form—highlights how unconditional love can consume and transform an individual. Her devotion is so intense that worldly pleasures and comforts become insignificant to her. This teaches that true devotion transcends material attachments and focuses solely on the divine, leading to spiritual awakening.
2. The story emphasizes that Radha and Krishna are fundamentally one and inseparable, much like milk and its essence. Krishna himself states that recognizing this unity is a sign of unconditional devotion. This lesson underscores the idea that the divine resides within the devotee, and realizing this oneness is key to attaining spiritual enlightenment and the supreme abode, Goloka.
3. Lalita advises Radha to perform selfless actions and supreme devotion to fulfill her deepest desires. Radha's willingness to seek ways to bring joy to Krishna illustrates the significance of aligning one's actions with divine will. This teaches that selflessness, surrender, and dedicated spiritual practice are essential paths to attaining union with the divine and achieving one's spiritual goals.

Knowledge Bank

When is Angarki Chaturthy 2024 ?

June 25, 2024.

What is the main theme of the Vedas?

The main theme of the Vedas is the search for truth and knowledge, as well as the exploration of the relationship between the individual self (atman) and the ultimate reality (Brahman).