Before we begin I wish to clarify that I am not a Vaishnav neither I am a Shaivite or a follower of Shaktism. I am a Sanatani and with all due respect I don't categorise my devotion to Paramatma with different sects.
I am as much of a devotee of Shri Krishna as I am of Mahadev or Mata Parvati.
With this being said, let's move on to today's topic.
Some people have been questioning the existence of Shrimati Radha Rani. I usually ignore such things but I am ready to give answers as long as the claims are logical.
So let's see what these people claim.
• Radha Rani is not mentioned in Mahabharat.
Mahabharat doesn't tell us about Krishna's childhood. And hence there is no mention of Radha Rani. By this logic not even Yashoda maiyya or Sudama are mentioned in Mahabharat, now would you question their existence ?
• Radha Rani is not mentioned in Srimad Bhagvat puran.
Although her name is not mentioned, there is a mention of a Gopi who was more dear to Krishna than the rest of the Gopis due to her supreme devotion.
anayaradhito nunam bhagavan harir isvarah an no vihaya govindah prito yam anayad rahah
Certainly, this particular gopi has perfectly worshiped the all-powerful God Govinda, since He was so pleased with Her that He abandoned the rest of us and brought Her to a secluded place.
That Gopi is referred as 'Krishn-nayika', 'Saa-vadhu' meaning That Bride (of Krishna) and 'Priya'.
But why isn't the name mentioned ? Some Gurus say that Shukadev Goswami, would go into a state of Samadhi remembering Radha Rani and Krishna. Thus he avoided mentioning her name.
But whatever the case is, there is a mention of a Gopi whose supreme devotion made her very dear to Krishna. And if that doesn't sound similar to Radha Rani then Idk what does ?
• Radha Rani is not mentioned in Bhagwad Gita.
Dude.... Look at the context in which the Bhagwad Gita is being told to Arjun. Why would Krishna mention Radha Rani in a context where someone is refusing to pick up weapons ?
Now some say that in Bhagwad Gita Shri Krishna says that he is the complete entity and can have anything he wants. Then how come he didn't get Radha Rani ?
Valid point. But Shri Krishna and Radha Rani are one, they have always been. And Bhagwat Gita is a conversation between God and a human. Krishna is showing that he is Paramatma, the one and supreme soul of the universe.
This shows that Krishna is Mahadev, Krishna is Mata Parvati and Krishna is Brahma. Krishna is everything and hence he is complete.
And Radha is not a separate figure without whom Krishna is incomplete. Radha and Krishna are one and the same.
• Radha Rani is not mentioned in Harivamsha Puran.
Actually in the Geeta press version, I found the mention of Radha Rani.
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• Radha Rani is not mentioned in major puranas.
Well half of the Puranas you say are false and half you say are true.
Radha Rani is mentioned in the Yuddhakanda of Rudrasamhita in Shiv Puran, but you say Shiv Puran is false, the real one is Linga Puran.
There are many interpolations of Brahmavaivarta Puran hence I am not including that one.
In Vishnu Puran, Book 5 chapter 13, Slokas 32-38, describe Krishna leaving Raas and going to meet a special special Gopi in the forest. The other Gopis describe their foot prints and krishna adorning her hair with flowers.
She is referred as - Vishnur Abhyarchito Yaya - Vishnu was worshipped extensively by her.
Another important point is that Devi Bhagwatam which was written by Ved Vyas himself has direct mentions of Radha Rani.
In Matsya Puran, when listing the goddesses of various cities it says - Rukmini Dvaravatyam Tu Radha Vrindavane Vane.
In Skanda Purana, Radha Rani is described as Krishna's soul - Atma Tu Radhika Tasya
In Brahmanda Puran, the famous strotam Grhe Radha Vane Radha is found.
• Radha Rani first appeared in Jayadev's Gita-Govinda.
So those who don't know Gita-Govinda is a poem, which depicts Radha Krishna showing human emotions like anger, jealousy, sadness etc. It's a famous in Bharatnatyam where the dancers need expressions.
So as I mentioned earlier, Radha Rani has been a well known figure since long. If you want dates then Gita-Govinda was written in the 12th century, Adi Shankaracharya mentions Radha Rani in 8th century in his Yamunashtakam, shloka 6 and 7.
जलान्तकेलिकारिचारु राधिका ङ्गरागिणी स्वभर्तुरन्यदुर्लभाङ्गसङ्गतांशभागिनी स्वदत्तसुप्तसप्तसिन्धुभेदनातिकोविदा । धुनोतु मे मनोमलं कलिन्दनन्दिनी सदा ॥६॥
जलच्युताच्युताङ्गरागलम्पटालिशालिनी विलोल राधिका कचान्तचम्पकालिमालिनी । सदावगाहनावतीर्णभर्तृभृत्यनारदा धुनोतु मे मनोमलं कलिन्दनन्दिनी सदा ॥७॥
• Radha Rani is a creation of Iskcon and Gaudiya Vaishnavism.
Gaudiya Vaishnavism started with Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in 15th century.
The Nimbarka Vaishnavas have been worshiping Radha Krishna since the 7th century, they came before Adi Shankaracharya also.
So definitely the Iskcon and Gaudiya Vaishnavism didn't create Radha Rani.
CONCLUSION - Now it is up to you whether to believe in Radha Rani or not. I cannot make you believe if you lack faith.
Aur waise bhi....
Hume auran ki parvah nahi Humri thakurani Shri Radhika Rani !
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PREM SE BOLO RADHE RADHE ! SAARE BOLO RADHE RADHE !
