prasad1
Active member
This piece may be controversial but it is an inquiry of facts or history. No disrespect to any groups,
Srimad Bhagavatam is specifically about the glories of Lord Krishna, not even once there directly appears, in the entire book, the most auspicious name of Srimati Radha! Not even once!
Radha, the gopi (milkmaid) who is depicted as the beloved of the god Krishna during that period of his life when he lived among the gopas (cowherds) of Vrindavan. Radha was the wife of another gopa. When Krishna was in Vrindhavan he was a child, Gopies were all much older than him.
Krishna never returned to Vrindhavan. So the depiction of an adult Krishna with Radha is pure imagination.
Srimad Bhagavatam And Krishna’s Age
Uddhava says the following at the time when Krishna kills Kamsa. Basically he is stating that Krishna was 11 years old when he killed Kamsa. Krishna killed Kamsa on the Shivaratri day after his 10th birthday.
When Krishna left Vrindavan for Mathura, he was 10 years old.
Radha is only mentioned in medieval scriptures after Acharya Nimbark and poet Jayadeva wrote about her in their works. Medieval literature from that point on mentions her in technicolor detail. But, none of this is based on any historic or original scriptures.
There is no mention of Radha in any ancient scripture.
These original scriptures mention all sorts of details - some even embarrassing ones - yet they don’t mention Radha. Even Shishupal, who abuses and curses in Krushna is most colorful gutter language, does not mention any pre-marital relationships of Shri Krushna - least of all with Radha. Later works like BhramVaivarta, Devi Bhagavatam, etc are Medieval creations.
The entire cast of gopies and the lilas (daan, hori, pana ghat etc) we ascribe to them was written later by various saints like Shri Nimbakacharya, Jayadev, Shri Chaitanya etc. Their revelations are the devotional revelations of their journey into their bhav. There is no “real evidence” nor “historical authenticity” about what they say. It is their "sakhi-bhav" and their feelings of "Krushna-prem" that are expressed in their writings.
However, there is no “historical evidence” for Shri Radha or any such gopi(es) in the original scriptures. We can read about what gopies mean to the Gaudia sect, or what Meerabai sings or what the Astachaps have sung about them in later times, but, none of this is based on the SM Bhagvatam or any other scripture that is considered tobe a “praman” by Shri Vallabhacharya or any great philosopher before Nimbark.
Radha does not exist at all in the first scriptures attributed to Vyasa that narrate the stories of Krishna's life and leelas. These scriptures are Mahabharat Harivansh Bhagavatham and Vishnu Purana. These are considered as the original canons.
These do not mention Radha at all. Vyasa was not a prude to frown upon pre marital relationships whether consensual or otherwise and he doesn't shy from mentioning the same for his own mother or himself as well. I see no reason why he had to hide Radha. He shows Krishna's leelas with other gopikas and gopalas. He shows every major incident of his life but doesn't bother to mention Radha who is supposed to be his soul mate.
I am of the firm belief she never existed, but the imagination of certain sections of Vaishnava especially poets like Jayadev of Gaudiya Vaishnava sect. She symbolizes their own unrequited devotion.
It was Jayadev, who made the story of Radha and Krishna, very famous through his Sanskrit ballad, Gita Govinda, written in the 12th century.
In Guruvayur Temple the main deity is Krishna, and there is no mention of Radha.
The Bhagavata Purana, Krishna's wives includes Rukmini, Satyabhama, Jambavati, Kalindi, Mitravinda, Nagnajiti, Bhadra and Lakshmana. Variations exist in the Vishnu Purana and the Harivamsa, which includes queens called Madri or Rohini, instead of Bhadra. Most of them are princesses.
Rukmini, the princess of Vidarbha was Krishna's first wife and chief queen (Patrani) of Dwarka. She is considered as an avatar of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. Satyabhama, the third wife, a Yadava princess, is considered the aspect of the earth-goddess Bhudevi.
Radha is a myth created by Jaydeva to represent Jeevatma and Krishna as Paramatma.
Srimad Bhagavatam is specifically about the glories of Lord Krishna, not even once there directly appears, in the entire book, the most auspicious name of Srimati Radha! Not even once!
Radha, the gopi (milkmaid) who is depicted as the beloved of the god Krishna during that period of his life when he lived among the gopas (cowherds) of Vrindavan. Radha was the wife of another gopa. When Krishna was in Vrindhavan he was a child, Gopies were all much older than him.
Krishna never returned to Vrindhavan. So the depiction of an adult Krishna with Radha is pure imagination.
Srimad Bhagavatam And Krishna’s Age
Uddhava says the following at the time when Krishna kills Kamsa. Basically he is stating that Krishna was 11 years old when he killed Kamsa. Krishna killed Kamsa on the Shivaratri day after his 10th birthday.
When Krishna left Vrindavan for Mathura, he was 10 years old.
Radha is only mentioned in medieval scriptures after Acharya Nimbark and poet Jayadeva wrote about her in their works. Medieval literature from that point on mentions her in technicolor detail. But, none of this is based on any historic or original scriptures.
There is no mention of Radha in any ancient scripture.
These original scriptures mention all sorts of details - some even embarrassing ones - yet they don’t mention Radha. Even Shishupal, who abuses and curses in Krushna is most colorful gutter language, does not mention any pre-marital relationships of Shri Krushna - least of all with Radha. Later works like BhramVaivarta, Devi Bhagavatam, etc are Medieval creations.
The entire cast of gopies and the lilas (daan, hori, pana ghat etc) we ascribe to them was written later by various saints like Shri Nimbakacharya, Jayadev, Shri Chaitanya etc. Their revelations are the devotional revelations of their journey into their bhav. There is no “real evidence” nor “historical authenticity” about what they say. It is their "sakhi-bhav" and their feelings of "Krushna-prem" that are expressed in their writings.
However, there is no “historical evidence” for Shri Radha or any such gopi(es) in the original scriptures. We can read about what gopies mean to the Gaudia sect, or what Meerabai sings or what the Astachaps have sung about them in later times, but, none of this is based on the SM Bhagvatam or any other scripture that is considered tobe a “praman” by Shri Vallabhacharya or any great philosopher before Nimbark.
Radha does not exist at all in the first scriptures attributed to Vyasa that narrate the stories of Krishna's life and leelas. These scriptures are Mahabharat Harivansh Bhagavatham and Vishnu Purana. These are considered as the original canons.
These do not mention Radha at all. Vyasa was not a prude to frown upon pre marital relationships whether consensual or otherwise and he doesn't shy from mentioning the same for his own mother or himself as well. I see no reason why he had to hide Radha. He shows Krishna's leelas with other gopikas and gopalas. He shows every major incident of his life but doesn't bother to mention Radha who is supposed to be his soul mate.
I am of the firm belief she never existed, but the imagination of certain sections of Vaishnava especially poets like Jayadev of Gaudiya Vaishnava sect. She symbolizes their own unrequited devotion.
It was Jayadev, who made the story of Radha and Krishna, very famous through his Sanskrit ballad, Gita Govinda, written in the 12th century.
In Guruvayur Temple the main deity is Krishna, and there is no mention of Radha.
The Bhagavata Purana, Krishna's wives includes Rukmini, Satyabhama, Jambavati, Kalindi, Mitravinda, Nagnajiti, Bhadra and Lakshmana. Variations exist in the Vishnu Purana and the Harivamsa, which includes queens called Madri or Rohini, instead of Bhadra. Most of them are princesses.
Rukmini, the princess of Vidarbha was Krishna's first wife and chief queen (Patrani) of Dwarka. She is considered as an avatar of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. Satyabhama, the third wife, a Yadava princess, is considered the aspect of the earth-goddess Bhudevi.
Radha is a myth created by Jaydeva to represent Jeevatma and Krishna as Paramatma.
