Thread by @SriSamavedam

#RadhaAshtami

While searching for Kr̥ṣṇa who was present in their midst till then but disappeared suddenly upon feeling arrogant within, Gōpīs found the footprints of Kr̥ṣṇa & another woman. Śuka Yōgīndra gives little unclear picture that the footprints belong to Rādhādēvī.

Here, Gōpīs are describing the tattva of Rādhādēvī in these Ślōkās -

अनयाराधितो नूनं भगवान् हरिरीश्वर​:।
यन्नो विहाय गोविन्द​: प्रीतोयामनद्रह​:॥
कस्या पदानि चैतानि यैकापहृत्य गोपीनाम्।
रहो भुङ्क्ते अच्युत अधरं॥

anayā - By Her
yā, yēkā, anayā, sā, kāpi, ‘ka’ in kasyā

These are the words used to refer to something that can’t be described. All these terms are scriptural & have deep connotations.

While attempting to define or elucidate something that
can’t be done with direct & simple words or can’t be comprehended by the senses or mind,..

these words are used.
Here, they are used to describe the Śakti of Parabrahman in the form of Rādhādēvī.

Having known that these divine words are used to express the inexpressible Parabrahman, Jayadēva in Gīta Gōvindaṁ used them for Rādhādēvī -

• Sāvirahē tava dīnā Rādhā - ‘Sā’ - In this composition, Rādhā is shown as waiting with Viraha
• Yā ramitā vanamālinā - ‘Yā’
• Kāpī madhuripunā - Kāpī

Kr̥ṣṇa Himself tells that Rādhādēvī is like the moonlight that brings the light of the moon of Kr̥ṣṇa within the reach of

of the devotee and gives the experience of bliss and peace.

Kr̥ṣṇa and Rādhādēvī are called ‘Priyatama’and ‘Priya’ respectively. Śrī Lalitā Sahasranāma Stōtra refers to Rādhādēvī in the nāmas ‘Prēmarūpa Priyaṅkarī’.

‘Priya’ is the term used in Upaniṣads mentioned as

Asti, Bhāti, & Priyam meaning Sat, Cit, & Ānanda.

Hence, ‘Priyam’ means ‘Ānanda’ i.e., bliss. When one’s devotion becomes intense and remains entirely focused on the Supreme God only without any wavering or diversion towards worldly aspects, one obtains the experience of God.

Such intense and uninterrupted flow of devotion from
devotee to God is ‘Rādhā’. In terms of Yōga, the Kuṇḍalinī that flows upward towards the Sahasrāra is called ‘Rādhā’. Let’s pray to Rādhā Herself to grant us the right intellect to understand Her tattva properly & completely.