Hare Kṛṣṇa,
Text 98: “Among the loving affairs of the gopīs,” Rāmānanda Rāya continued, “Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī’s love for Śrī Kṛṣṇa is topmost. Indeed, the glories of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī are highly esteemed in all revealed scriptures.”
yathā rādhā priyā viṣṇos
tasyāḥ kuṇḍaṁ priyaṁ tathā
sarva-gopīṣu saivaikā
viṣṇor atyanta-vallabhā
Text 99: “ ‘Just as Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī is most dear to Śrī Kṛṣṇa, Her bathing place [Rādhā-kuṇḍa] is also dear to Him. Among all the gopīs, Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī is supermost and very dear to Lord Kṛṣṇa.’
Similar verse is also mentioned in Sri Upadesamrta (Nectar of Instruction 11),
“Of the many objects of favored delight and of all the lovable damsels of Vraja-bhūmi, Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī is certainly the most treasured object of Kṛṣṇa’s love. And, in every respect, Her divine kuṇḍa is described by great sages as similarly dear to Him. Undoubtedly Rādhā-kuṇḍa is very rarely attained even by the great devotees; therefore it is even more difficult for ordinary devotees to attain. If one simply bathes once within those holy waters, one’s pure love of Kṛṣṇa is fully aroused.”
All glories to Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī!
I thank our dear teachers for posting this beautiful section of the conversation between Lord Caitanya and Rāmānanda Rāya.
What stands out for me from this lesson is a contrast between the section in Srimad Bhagavatam (Chapter 10.30) where the gopis search for Krsna and finds Radharani alone, and this section from CC. In that section of Srimad Bhagavatam, Srimati Radharani cried out,
“O master! My lover! O dearmost, where are You? Where are You? Please, O mighty-armed one, O friend, show Yourself to Me, Your poor servant!” (SB 10.30.39)
However in this lesson from Sri Caitanya Caritamrta, it is evident that Krsna was searching for to Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī.
“When Rādhārāṇī left the rāsa dance out of anger and resentment, Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa became very anxious because He could not see Her… When Kṛṣṇa went out to search for Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī, He wandered here and there. Not finding Her, He became afflicted by the arrow of Cupid and began to lament.” (CC Madhya 8.112-115)
It is thus obvious that Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī is the most exalted gopi. So much so that the rāsa-līlā is incomplete without Her.
“Lord Kṛṣṇa’s desire in the rāsa-līlā circle is perfectly complete, but Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī is the binding link in that desire. The rāsa dance does not shine in the heart of Kṛṣṇa without Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī. Therefore, He also gave up the circle of the rāsa dance and went out to search for Her. The rāsa dance does not shine in the heart of Kṛṣṇa without Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī. Therefore, He also gave up the circle of the rāsa dance and went out to search for Her.” (CC Madhya 8.113-116)
This knowledge is so elevated, esoteric and confidential that Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu Himself felt satisfied hearing this from Sri Ramananda Raya.
After hearing this, Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu said to Rāmānanda Rāya, “That for which I have come to your residence has now become an object of truth in My knowledge. Now I have come to understand the sublime goal of life and the process of achieving it. Nevertheless, I think that there is something more ahead, and My mind is desiring to have it.” (CC Madhya 8.117-118)
It is pure nectar hearing these topics in the association of advanced devotees. Thank you, dear teachers and exalted classmates!
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Krsna Katha 