Shri Radha Naam Sudha, authored by Shri Vagish Shastriji, beautifully compiles the divine glories of the nectar-like name of Sri Radha.
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Being the Āhlādinī, the divine potency who brings bliss to both God and His devotees, Śrī Rādhā alone always deepens and enhances rasa. In incarnations such as Matsya and Kacchapa, even the very discussion of rasa was rare.
Śrī Kṛṣṇa always speaks, beholds, and hears only under the control of Śrī Rādhā. Likewise, He laughs, sings, and dances only under Her sway. In other words, every one of His actions is completely governed by Śrī Rādhā.
By Her causeless mercy, Śrī Rādhā removes all obstacles that obstruct a devotee’s experience of divine prema-rasa, along with lust, anger, and every impurity and sin. For this reason, She is called “Rādhā.”
The name ‘Rādhā’ originates from the root ‘Rādh’, which means to increase or to uplift. Therefore, devotees consider Shri Radha to possess divine qualities even greater than those of Brahman. Shri Radha herself is ever-growing and constantly increases the devotional sentiments (rasa and bhava) of her devotees.
The Śrutis (Vedas) describe the Supreme Lord as Ānanda-svarūpa (embodiment of bliss), not as rasa-bhoktā (enjoyer of rasa). It is Shri Radha who makes Him a rasika, a connoisseur of divine love. In Bhāgavatam, Shri Shukadeva calls Krishna ātmārāma (self-satisfied) and ātmarata (rejoicing in the Self), yet Radha engages Him in loving pastimes, making Him Rādhā-Ramaṇa. The word “tayā” in the verse, in instrumental case, is interpreted as “by her,” i.e., by Radha. Similarly, Radha grants divine love to devotees, making them Rasikas, capable of relishing the bliss of love.
The name ‘Rādhā’ consists of syllables — ‘Ra’, meaning to give or bestow, and ‘Dha’, meaning to hold, sustain, or protect. Thus, exalted devotees understand Her name as: She who lovingly bestows rasa, love, or grace, and lovingly protects it.
Shri Radha, ever-merciful, grants even the most unattainable to her loving devotees (who worship Her name) and takes responsibility for their protection. She is their eternal refuge, as experienced by their devotees.
For one whose ultimate goal (worshipful deity) is Radha, and whose sole means to achieve that goal is also Radha, for whom the mantra is “Radha”, and the Guru bestowing the mantra is none other than Radha Herself, for the one whose everything is Radha, whose entire life is Radha, whose speech is filled with the name of Radha. For such a blessed soul, no other endeavor or higher pursuit remains.
Whoever chants the name “Radha” is divinely protected. Lord Vishnu guards the front with his Chakra (disc-like weapon), Lord Shiva defends from behind with his Trishul (trident), Varuna protects the left with his ‘Paash’ (noose), and Indra safeguards the right with his ‘Vajra’ (thunderbolt). Apsaras dance ahead as He walks, while celestial maidens shower flowers from the Kalpavriksha.
Even after countless lifetimes of longing, if Sri Radha, the charming daughter of Vrishabhanu, manifests in someone’s heart, that person is truly blessed.
For the devotee whose ultimate goal (worshipful deity) is Radha, and whose sole means to achieve that goal is also Radha, for whom the mantra is Radha, and the Guru bestowing the mantra is none other than Radha, for the one whose everything is Radha, whose entire life is Radha, whose speech is filled with the name of Radha—there exists no higher attainment for such a soul.
