A while back, I stumbled upon an engaging question: Why didn’t Krishna marry Radha? The individual who posted this query discussed a Dvaita Vedanta viewpoint in which Radha is a seeker who longs for Krishna. The beauty of a devotee’s love for the Divine in that presentation melted my heart.

Taking a different approach, I’ve also read a different version of the Radha-Krishna story. This provides an Advaita Vedanta perspective on this everlasting narrative of selfless love, which I discuss in this post.

Before we proceed, I wish to point out that there’s just a blink-and-miss reference to Radha in the core scriptures of Sanatana Dharma. Perhaps the entire Radha-Krishna narrative was only a figment of someone’s mind. Still, let’s put it aside and celebrate this iconic couple’s love.

A Folklore

In his youth, Sri Krishna was adamant about marrying Radha. He eventually brought it up with his parents, Nanda and Yashoda. But they weren’t in favor of it because Radha was a few years his senior. Krishna, never one to back down, put his foot down.

Around that time, a powerful sage approached them. That sage started looking into Krishna’s astrological charts. Upon completing his analysis, the sage looked at Krishna. “This is the Divine himself!” exclaimed the sage. “He is going to change the world.”

The sage’s words startled Krishna’s parents. Till then, Krishna was a playful and stubborn child. What would he do in this world? The predictions of the sage also disturbed Krishna. So, he ran up a mountain and sat in meditation.

Krishna recollected his divinity while sitting in deep absorption atop the scenic hill. After that, it was a case of no turning back. He assumed a different demeanor and soon received an invitation for a duel from his unjust uncle Kansa. With that, in his sense of duty, Krishna bid goodbye to Radha, his parents, and the village.

The Selfless Sacrifice

While I’m unsure about the folklore’s source and authenticity, it describes a heartfelt farewell chat between Krishna and Radha.

When Krishna explained his mission, Radha did not respond, “I don’t care! Marry me now.”

Instead, she said, “Krishna, you are too attached to me. If we marry, I’ll be a burden on you. Then you cannot concentrate on your work. My beloved, for the sake of this world, let us not get married.”

After that separation from Radha, Krishna had several wives, but he never got attached to anyone. He went on to conquer the world with his wisdom, non-attachment, and unconditional love.

For the remainder of her life, Radha remained in the village of Vrindavan. She looked after Krishna’s (adoptive) parents, relieving her lover of that responsibility.

The Divine Mother

Whether Radha and Krishna got married will remain a mystery. Going beyond that, we can learn something profound from Radha’s farewell comments in the tale.

Radha could have insisted on keeping Krishna for herself, but she didn’t do that. In her mind, she carried the attitude of Advaita philosophy — she was Krishna and Krishna was her. As a result, she made Krishna’s cause her own and let her beloved go.

The selfless sacrifice of Radha made her a Rani, the queen. Radha, according to this story, was not a timid woman grieving for her beloved. That Vairagi, or the non-attached one, revered for her unconditional love, demonstrated a heart of gold.

According to this folklore, Radha was none other than the Divine Mother, the Formless Divine regarded as Feminine. A soul as beautiful as Radha wasn’t a pining seeker, but the sought!

Love,
Sri Devi Om