The Divine Couple- Did They ever Marry?

Streetstraw · November 24, 2002

R-K run a tight ship, so for tax purposes (amongst others) the Divinest Couple never married.

Rasik revenue retention. A paisa saved is a paisa earned.

paul108 · January 7, 2003

From what I've heard and can figure from it, Krishna had 16,108 wives. There were 16,000 princesses whom He rescued, Rukmini, and that leaves 107 remaining. That would be the principle gopis minus Radharani. I'd welcome corrections.

January 8, 2003

Krishna saved 16,100 princesses who later became His wives but Krishna had 8 principle wives-please refer to volume 2 of the Krishna book. i will try to post the names on this site towards the later part of the week.

Notably,Srimati Radharani was not mentioned as his wife as such but the cheif of the Gopi's in Vraj.

January 8, 2003

Paulji are you not knowing that Rukmini is one princess of the Kshatri varna and is not Gopi?

Sashi · January 15, 2003

Brahmavaivarta 4.16.1-65

"At their wedding Lord Brahma himself had Krishna and Radha bow to him, perform the ceremony of the marriage thread, and make the seven cicumambulations. He also made Radha circumambulate the fire, and made Krishna bow to him and sit down. Lord Brahma made Krishna hold Radha's hand and recite the seven Mantras declared by the Vedas. He then had Radha place her hand on Krishna's chest and placed Krishna's hand on Radha's back. He let Radha recite the three Mantras and place a garland of Parijata blossoms around Krishna's neck. Then Lord Brahma made both bow to him once more and with Krishna's hands placed a lovely garland around Radha's neck. Then he had Krishna seat himself once again alongside the smiling Radha, whose beautiful smile made Krishna's hear beat faster. Lord Brahma made the divine couple fold their hands and recite the five Mantras declared by the Veda. After another bow, Lord Brahma, the creator gave away Radha to Krishna, as a father gives away his daughter and stood with joy and devotion shining on his face."

theist · January 15, 2003

If that's true what happens to the paramour mood? I don't trust all these stories.

Sashi · January 15, 2003

Well I dont have a quote, but in a lecture i heard from a well respected Sannyasi, i was told that there was some technicality that was not performed during their marriage ceremony,which meant that in the eyes of the vedic society they were not married. Not legally u know.

January 16, 2003

Mooji, that is one other Sashi you must not be confusing with me. OK?

theist · January 16, 2003

Ahhh yes that's the password. You are the real Shashi. I was a little confused.

Moo /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Avinash · January 16, 2003

Shashi ji,

When I saw the first post from the new Sashi, I could understand that it was not you. I think Theist ji also must have understood it.

Avinash · January 16, 2003

Shashi ji,

What is the version of Internet Explorer you are using? Or, are you using Netscape?

January 16, 2003

I am not able to be identify the version of Internet Explorer after more than half hour of clickings. When my nephew is coming soon one day I will be finding out. Thank you, Avinashji.

Yashoda_dd · February 21, 2003

Tridandisvami Bhaktivedanta Narayana Maharaja

THE "MARRIAGE" OF RADHA AND KRSNA

Varsana: November 9, 2002

[This is a belated lecture from Kartika time – to inspire devotees to come along this year. It was given during the Vraja Mandala Parikrama in Varsana. There, Srila Bhaktivedanta Narayana Maharaja responded to a common misconception among many Vrajavasis, that Radha and Krsna were actually married in a ceremony officiated by Lord Brahma. This misconception was presented by the panda (brahmana scholar and historian) who accompanied the parikrama party to the various pastime places in Varsana. The panda also referred to Srimati Radharani as Matesvari, which is a title meaning the Supreme Mother or Goddess. Srila Maharaja objected to this title, which is accurate from a philosophical point of view, but inconsistent with the mood of serving Sri Sri Radha and Krsna in Their Vrndavana pastimes. – ed.]

All glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga! Now we are in Varsana-dhama. I have told you about the glories of Varsana, and now I want to speak about radha-tattva. Srimati Radharani is the beloved of Krsna, but She is not an ordinary female with lusty desires as seen in relationships between a mundane boyfriend and girlfriend. She is the antaranga-sakti (internal potency) of Sri Krsna. We want to discuss what Raya Ramananda explained about radha-tattva, krsna-tattva, rasa-tattva, prema-tattva, and vilasa-tattva, and also what Sri Caitanya Caritamrta Adi-lila chapter four stated regarding these important topics. Moreover, Srila Rupa Gosvami and Srila Raghunatha dasa Gosvami have explained more about radha-tattva than you will find anywhere else, and you should try to learn all of their explanations thoroughly.

We have many learned scholars here, and I am requesting that they each speak for not more than fifteen minutes to offer their puspanjali (offering of the flowers of one's heartfelt words of praise). I want everyone to have an opportunity to speak. We are here for only three more days. Tomorrow we are going to Kamyavana, and we may not return until after 5:00 pm, so there may be no class tomorrow evening. The following day we will go to Uccha-gaon, and on the third day we will go to various places around Nandagaon. It will not be until after we return from Nandagaon and Uccha-gaon that we will have time for classes, so I want to discuss radha-tattva, bhakti tattva, prema bhakti and so on here.

Tomorrow you will be going to Kamyavana, Charan Pahari, Vimala Kunda, Bhojansthali, Setabandu, Vrnda-devi, Radha-Govinda, Gopinatha, Madana Mohana, Panca-pandava, Draupadi Kunda, and many other places. Tirtha Maharaja, who knows all the pastimes of these places, and also our panda, will be there. If you go, the blessings of this dhama will come to you automatically. If you hear the narrations and explanations of the sweet pastimes of Radha-Krsna while on parikrama, you will be infused with all transcendental energy – so you should try to go. I am also requesting that you give daksina (a donation) to our panda, and he will be satisfied with whatever you give.

Some persons have false pride and false ego because they have taken birth in Vrndavana and think themselves to be Vrajavasis. However, if they do not have the internal moods of Nanda Baba, Yasoda-maiya, and all of the eternal associates of Krsna, they are not Vrajavasis. Real Vrajavasis are those who have the mood of Vrajavasis like Nanda Baba, Yasoda-maiya, Krsna's sakhas, (boyhood friends) and especially the mood of the dasis (maidservants) of Sri Radha.

I don't like to hear Srimati Radhika referred to as Matesvari Radha (Supreme Mother).

This is very wrong. Most everyone in transcendental Vraja thinks of Vrsabhanu Maharaja as their brother and Lali (term of affection for Radha, meaning daughter) is their beloved daughter. Others think of Radhika in friendship, and Krsna thinks of Her as His beloved. How can she ever become Matesvari, or mother? This conception is very wrong. I ask our panda to kindly excuse me. She may be Matesvari in one sense, but in Vraja there is no place for the word Matesvari; there is no such thing. There is no mood of opulence here in Varsana; the atmosphere is always very natural and sweet.

So-called Vrajavasis will tell you that Radha was married to Krsna, but this is wrong. In the Brahma-vaivarta Purana it is written that Brahmaji came to Vrndavana and performed the marriage ceremony of Radha and Krsna, wherein Lalita and Visakha sang some marriage songs. But how does a real marriage take place? The mere presence of a purohit (priest) is not enough. Someone must formally give away the girl in charity, and this ceremonial ritual is called kanya-dana.

Do we see the presence of Vrsabhanu Maharaja and Krtida in Bhandiravana (the place where the "marriage" took place)? Also, Nanda Baba and Baladeva would have joined in the marriage procession along with the bridegroom. Was either of them present there? Were any Vrajavasis other than the young gopis in attendance? If not, how did this marriage ceremony take place? We may say that an exchange of garlands took place, and that is okay; this is known as a Gandharva marriage. But if a real marriage had taken place, the bride would have gone to her husband's house.

Did Radhaji ever go to Yasoda-maiya's house in Nandagaon as her daughter-in-law? If the answer would be "Yes", then what would separate Srimati Radharani's mood and lila from that of Rukmini and Satyabhama? No difference would exist. But Rukmini and Satyabhama are merely expansions of the lotus feet of Srimati Radharani.

It is true that marriage arrangements were taking place. Plans were being made for the marriage of Radha and Krsna, but Yogamaya Purnamasi-devi came and put a halt to that marriage. She told the parents, "This marriage cannot take place. "Their astrological charts are not compatible; their naksatra (constellations) are not well matched. One important sign is missing, and that makes it inauspicious for their marriage. No, no. This marriage must not take place. Abhimanyu, the son of Jatila, is from the richest family in Vraja. He is fully qualified, very capable and endowed with all good qualities. He should marry Her."

In what way did this marriage of Radhika and Abhimanyu take place? It took place between chaya (shadow images) – Krsna's shadow, Abhimanyu, married Radha's shadow.

Suppose, for the sake of argument, we say that Radhika was somehow married to Krsna. But then what about the other gopis? It is stated in Srimad-Bhagavatam:

pati-sutanvaya-bhrata-bandhavan

ativilanghya te ’nty acyutagatau

gati-vidas tavodgita-mohitau

kitava yonitau kas tyajen nisi

["Dear Acyuta, You know very well why we have come here. Who but a cheater like You would abandon young women who come to see Him in the middle of the night, enchanted by the loud song of His flute? Just to see You, we have completely rejected our husbands, children, ancestors, brothers and other relatives." (SB 10.31.17)]

In this statement of Srimad Bhagavatam, all the gopis are saying that they left their husbands. Srimad Bhagavatam is an authentic scripture; its statement cannot be false. This special relationship between Krsna and all of the gopis is described throughout the Srimad Bhagavatam: For example, Krsna tells the gopis when he returns after His disappearance from the Rasa Dance:

na paraye ’ham niravadya-samyujam

sva-sadhu-krtyam vibudhayusapi vah

ya mabhajan durjara-geha-srnkhalah

samvrscya tad vah pratiyatuh sadhuna

["I am not able to repay My debt for your spotless service, even within a lifetime of Brahma. Your connection with Me is beyond reproach. You have worshiped Me, cutting off all domestic ties, which are difficult to break. Therefore please let your own glorious deeds be your compensation." (SB 10:32:22)]

Durjara-geha-srnkhala. This means that the gopis left their husbands, and it is written in many other places in the Srimad Bhagavatam that Krsna's gopis left their husbands to meet with Him in the Rasa Dance. We never hear that Srimati Radharani or the gopis were married to Krsna; otherwise these statements of Srimad Bhagavatam would be false.

For the sake of rasa, they had a natural inclination towards Krsna as their beloved, rather than as their husband. Rukmini does not have this same feeling; after her marriage to Krsna, Rukmini developed a mood of reverence. In comparison, how do the gopis behave? They are Krsna's hladini-sakti while in this world, as well as in the spiritual world and in all the worlds in which they may appear. Their relationship is unchanging. Krsna bows his head at Radhika's feet. He offers His flute, His stick, and all that He possesses unto Her feet. When Srimati Radhika puts the dust from Her feet on Krsna's head, the mahavar (red foot paint) leaves a mark on His forehead. What is written there in that mark? "Radha." And who wrote this on Her foot? Krsna. Krsna has the name "Radha" stamped on His forehead, and this pleases Him immensely.

Rukmini and Satyabhama cannot do this, because after marriage one develops a feeling of reverence for the husband as one's master or lord. If Radhika had been married to Krsna, she would have developed this mood and behaved accordingly. Some people do not understand this point and therefore have an incorrect conception. Even our learned panda, an intelligent person, supports the idea that a marriage took place between Radha and Krsna. Such persons have no knowledge or realization of rasa-tattva, and that is why they speak like this.

I have opposed such ideas, and I have written a book about this. Give this book to them; let them read it. They have not read the works of Srila Rupa Gosvami, Srila Sanatana Gosvami, Srila Raghunatha dasa Gosvami, Srila Jiva Gosvami, nor have they read Sri Caitanya Caritamrta. If one does not have the association of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's associates, one will have misconceptions such as the idea that Srimati Radhika is Matesvari.

I am a servant of Radhaji's lotus feet:

bhajami radham aravinda-netram

smarami radham madhura-smitasyam

vadami radham karuna-bharardram

tato mamanyasti gatir na kapi

["I worship lotus-eyed Radha. I meditate on sweetly smiling Radha. I glorify supremely merciful Radha. She is the only goal of my life. I have no other goal." (Sri Sri Radhikastottara-sata-nama-stotra, text 131, by Raghunatha dasa Gosvami)]

radha-bhajane jadi mati nahi bhela

krsna-bhajana tava akarana gela

atapa-rohita suraya nahi jani

radha-virahita madhava nahi mani

["If your desire to serve Srimati Radharani does not come about, then your so-called worship of Krsna is completely useless. Just as I never know the sun to be without sunlight, so I do not care to regard Madhava without Radha." (Sri Radhastakam Song 8 - Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura)]

sri-rupa-manjari-karacita-.-padma

gosthendra-nandana-bhujarpita-mastakayah

ha modatah kanaka-gauri padaravinda

samvahanani sanakais tava kim karisye

["O You who are as fair as gold, will I happily and gently massage Your lotus feet as You rest Your head against the arm of the prince of Vraja, as Sri Rupa Manjari massages your hands? (Sri Vilapa Kusmanjali Text 72, by Srila Raghunatha dasa Gosvami)]

Radhe Radhe Radhe Jaya Jaya Jaya Sri Radhe! There is nothing else. When Krsna hears the chanting of Sri Radha's name, He goes immediately, as if automatically, to that place. When Krsna comes to Radhaji's kunja, Her dasis like Rupa Manjari, and also Her friends, may say, "Jahi Madhava, Jahi Madhava, Jahi Kesava!" ma bada kaitavabaadam" Go away Madhava, go away. Go away Kesava!" When Krsna comes, if Srimati Radharani is in maan She will not let that black person come into Her kunja. Her dasis like Rupa Manjari will scold Krsna by saying, "Go away immediately!" And then Krsna will beg them, "Please arrange for me to meet with Radhaji. O, let me meet My Svamini." This is the glory of Srimati Radhika.

You are so fortunate to come to Vrndavana with our parikrama party, in the association of rasika Vaisnavas. You are so fortunate. You will have to be ready tomorrow morning by 6:30 AM. If you are late, the buses will be gone and you will not be able to travel.

Gaura Premanande!

March 9, 2003

The Marriage of Radha and Krishna

Varsana: November 9, 2002

Tridandiswami Sri Srimad Bhaktivedanta Narayana Maharaja

[This is a belated lecture from Kartika time – to inspire devotees to come along this year. It was given during the Vraja Mandala Parikrama in Varsana. There, Srila Bhaktivedanta Narayana Maharaja responded to a common misconception among many Vrajavasis, that Radha and Krsna were actually married in a ceremony officiated by Lord Brahma. This misconception was presented by the panda (brahmana scholar and historian) who accompanied the parikrama party to the various pastime places in Varsana. The panda also referred to Srimati Radharani as Matesvari, which is a title meaning the Supreme Mother or Goddess. Srila Maharaja objected to this title, which is accurate from a philosophical point of view, but inconsistent with the mood of serving Sri Sri Radha and Krsna in Their Vrndavana pastimes. – ed.]

All glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga! Now we are in Varsana-dhama. I have told you about the glories of Varsana, and now I want to speak about radha-tattva. Srimati Radharani is the beloved of Krsna, but She is not an ordinary female with lusty desires as seen in relationships between a mundane boyfriend and girlfriend. She is the antaranga-sakti (internal potency) of Sri Krsna. We want to discuss what Raya Ramananda explained about radha-tattva, krsna-tattva, rasa-tattva, prema-tattva, and vilasa-tattva, and also what Sri Caitanya Caritamrta Adi-lila chapter four stated regarding these important topics. Moreover, Srila Rupa Gosvami and Srila Raghunatha dasa Gosvami have explained more about radha-tattva than you will find anywhere else, and you should try to learn all of their explanations thoroughly.

We have many learned scholars here, and I am requesting that they each speak for not more than fifteen minutes to offer their puspanjali (offering of the flowers of one's heartfelt words of praise). I want everyone to have an opportunity to speak. We are here for only three more days. Tomorrow we are going to Kamyavana, and we may not return until after 5:00 pm, so there may be no class tomorrow evening. The following day we will go to Uccha-gaon, and on the third day we will go to various places around Nandagaon. It will not be until after we return from Nandagaon and Uccha-gaon that we will have time for classes, so I want to discuss radha-tattva, bhakti tattva, prema bhakti and so on here.

Tomorrow you will be going to Kamyavana, Charan Pahari, Vimala Kunda, Bhojansthali, Setabandu, Vrnda-devi, Radha-Govinda, Gopinatha, Madana Mohana, Panca-pandava, Draupadi Kunda, and many other places. Tirtha Maharaja, who knows

all the pastimes of these places, and also our panda, will be there. If you go, the blessings of this dhama will come to you automatically. If you hear the narrations and explanations of the sweet pastimes of Radha-Krsna while on parikrama, you will be infused with all transcendental energy – so you should try to go. I am also requesting that you give daksina (a donation) to our panda, and he will be satisfied with whatever you give.