Srimati Radharani
Shri Garga Muni explains the meaning of the name Sri Radha – ‘R’ stands for Rama (the goddess of fortune), ‘A’ stands for Adi-gopika (the first of the gopis), ‘DH’ stands for Dhara (the earth), and ‘A’ stands for Viraja-nadi (the Viraja river).
The four potencies of Lord Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, became His four wives: Lila, Bhu, Shri, and Viraja. Because all these goddesses have now entered the form of Shri Radha, the wise say that Shri Radha is the original supreme goddess of fortune.
They who again and again chant the names of Shri Shri Radha-Krishna attain Lord Krishna directly.
Srimati Radharani’s name in the Bhagavatam
Srimati Radharani’s name is not directly mentioned in Bhagavatam. Gaudiya acaryas have given different reasons for why Srimati Radharani’s name is only mentioned indirectly in Bhagavatam.
In this regard Srila Sanatana Gosvami, in his Brhad-Bhagavatamrta, has mentioned, Maharaja Pariksit told his mother Uttara, “Oh, mother! My gurudeva, Srila Sukadeva Gosvami has not been able to mention the name of any gopis when he was describing Srimad-Bhagavatam. The reason for that is, if he would pronounce the name of any gopi then in their remembrance he would feel acute burning love and thus he would feel very much ecstasy which would make his throat choked and make him unable to recite Bhagavatam. Thus it would not be possible for him to continue recitation of Bhagavatam, Bhagavata-katha would be disrupted. That’s why during the description of different pastimes like rasa-lila, though he has explained their great mood of love, he did not mention anyone’s name. Srila Sukedeva Gosvami tried his best to not mention any gopis name but still he could not control himself as a result at one point he indirectly mentioned her name. When Sri Krishna disappeared from the rasa-lila all the gopis were searching for Him. At one point they saw the footprint of one gopi along with the foot-print of Sri Krishna. The gopis said:
anayaradhito nunam
bhagavan harir isvarah
yan no vihaya govindah
prito yam anayad rahah
Certainly this particular gopi has perfectly worshiped the all-powerful Personality of Godhead, Govinda, since He was so pleased with Her that He abandoned the rest of us and brought Her to a secluded place. (SB 10.30.28)
Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti explains that the word aradhitah refers to Srimati Radharani. He comments, “The sage Sukadeva Gosvami has tried with all endeavor to keep Her name hidden, but now it automatically shines forth from the moon of his mouth. That he has spoken Her name is indeed Her mercy, and thus the word aradhitah is like the rumbling of a kettledrum sounded to announce Her great good fortune.”
Srimati Radharani’s Appearance In Goloka
His Holiness Bhakti Purusottama Swami Maharaja explains :
In Goloka Vrindavana there is a place called the rasa mandala. On one side of the rasa-mandala there is a mountain called Satasrnga. This mountain appeared in Bhuloka as Govardhana. In Vrndavana there are nice gardens of malati and mallika flowers. The Lord of the universe, by whose mere desire everything happens, was sitting in that garden on a beautiful ratna-simhasana. He had the desire to enjoy, and as soon as this desire came to His mind, immediately from His left side appeared a very beautiful devi. She was decorated with valuable jewels and wore cloth purified by fire. She was dazzling like millions of moons, Her body the color of molten gold. She was illuminating everything with Her radiance. When She smiled, her teeth were very attractive. Her face defeated the beauty of the lotus flower in autumn. She was wearing a flower garland of malati and a diamond necklace. Her bodily effulgence was brilliant like the sun in summer season. She was sitting next to Krsna on the ratna-simhasana.
Thus the Lord appeared in two forms. From the left side of His body appeared Srimati Radharani, and right side of His body appeared Sri Krishna. When Lord Sri Krishna saw Radhika, He wanted to enjoy with Her. Knowing this, Her form became even more beautiful. Immediately She ran to pick flowers to offer to the lotus feet of Sri Hari.
Because She appeared in the rasa-mandala and immediately ran to serve the Lord by picking flowers, She is known as “Radha” “ra” represents the rasa-mandala, and “dha” represents dhavamana, running.
Because She appeared in the rasa-mandala and was running (dhavamana) to the Lord when She saw Him very enthusiastic to enjoy (ramana), Her name is Radha.
Regarding the appearance of two forms from one original form of the Lord, it is stated in Narada-pancaratra (2.3.21) –
dvi-bhujah so ‘pi goloke
babhrama rasa-mandale
gopa-vesas ca taruno
jaladah-syama-sundarah
eka isah prathamato
dvidha-rupo babhuva sah
ekd stri visnu-mayaya
puman ekah svayam vibhuh
sa ca svecchamayah syamah
saguno nirgunah svayam
tam drstva sundarim
lolam ratim kartum samudyata
The two-handed form of Parabrahman in the form of a young cowherd boy whose bodily color was like new clouds, was wandering in rasa-mandala in Goloka-dhama. Only one form of Isvara divided into two forms: one part appeared as a female from known as Visnu-maya, or the internal potency of Krishna; the other part remained as Himself, vibhu-purusa, or the male form. He is independent and acts according to His own will. Everything happens as soon as He desires. He has a blue bodily effulgence. He is saguna (having transcendental qualities) and nirguna (without material qualities).
There is no difference between Radha and Krishna. Krishna serves Radha and Radha serves Sri Krishna. Krishna is energetic and Radha is energy.
Radha and Krishna are one in truth. Radha is constitutionally the energy of Krishna. She is His svarupa-sakti or natural energy, just as heat is the natural energy of fire. One cannot separate heat from fire. In the same way one cannot separate Radha from Krishna. Energy and the energetic together is one object. There is no difference between Them. In the same way Sri Sri Radha-Krishna is one and non-different truth.
Parabrahman Krishna is rasa-svarupa, made of rasa, and He desires to enjoy rasa also. Sruti says sa kamayate, He desires.
But ekaki san a ramate: He cannot enjoy alone. To enjoy through the exchange of mellows there has to be more than one. That is why, even if He is one, He has manifested in many forms from since time immemorial.
Radha-Krishna is originally one. Even though one and non-different, still that one Parabrahman has manifested in two forms which have themselves manifested in many forms. Krishna has manifested in an unlimited number of bhagavat-svarupas and Radha has manifested in an unlimited number of kanta-sakti-rupas.
All gopis have manifested from the hair pores of Radha. All gopas have manifested from the hair pores of Sri Krishna.
Mahalaksmi has manifested from the left side of Sri Radha. Mahalaksmi is the wife of Narayana who lives in Vaikuntha. Part and parcel of Mahalaksmi is Rajalaksmi. She gives wealth to kings. Part of Rajalaksmi is Martyalaksmi. This Martyalaksmi resides in the houses of grhasthas. She is the predominating deity of crops.
Sri Radha is the eternal consort of Sri Krishna.