- By Dr. B.K. Nangia
The spiritual traditions of Vrindavan are deeply intertwined with the divine love of Shri Radha and Shri Krishna, a relationship that holds a unique place in Gaudiya Vaishnav philosophy. The tradition of worshipping Shri Radha alongside Shri Krishna, now seen in countless temples across Vrindavan and beyond, owes its origins to the pioneering theological contributions of Shri Jiva Goswami.
The Vision of Shri Jiva Goswami
It was the revered Gaudiya Vaishnav Acharya, Shri Jiva Goswami, who first established the practice of placing Shri Radha’s deity alongside Shri Krishna in temple worship. Drawing from profound scriptural insights, Shri Jiva Goswami expounded this principle in his text Shri Radha-Krishnarchana Deepika. Prior to his theological intervention, Shri Krishna was traditionally worshipped alone in temple sanctums.
Following Shri Jiva Goswami’s authoritative teachings, temples across Braj began enshrining Shri Radha on Shri Krishna’s left side, symbolizing her eternal position as His divine consort. In some temples, Shri Radha was initially introduced in the form of a symbolic seat or Gaddi Puja, marking her spiritual presence.
The Arrival of Shri Radha’s Deities in Vrindavan
A remarkable event further cemented this tradition. The devout king of Odisha, renowned for his piety, commissioned two exquisite Ashtadhatu (eight-metal alloy) idols of Shri Radha. These deities were intended for two prominent temples in Vrindavan — Shri Madan Mohan and Shri Govind Dev.
Upon their arrival at Shri Madan Mohan temple, the temple priest mistakenly believed that both deities were meant to be installed alongside Shri Madan Mohan. Consequently, one deity was placed to the left as Shri Radha and the other to the right as Shri Lalita Sakhi. Since then, Shri Madan Mohan has been worshipped in the company of Shri Radha and Shri Lalita, a tradition that continues today in the Karoli temple where these deities now reside.
The Divine Revelation of Shri Radha in Jagannath Puri
When the king learned of this mix-up, he resolved to commission a new Shri Radha deity for Shri Govind Dev. However, that very night, Shri Lakshmi Devi — enshrined in the Chakra Bedi of the Jagannath Temple in Puri — appeared to the king in a dream. Revealing her true identity as Shri Radha, she instructed the king to send her deity to Vrindavan to be enshrined alongside Shri Govind Dev. This divine instruction was promptly followed, and that same deity now resides in the Shri Govind Dev temple in Jaipur — a figure that had once unknowingly travelled from Vrindavan to Odisha before finding her way back to her eternal place beside Shri Krishna.
Shri Jahnava Devi’s Miraculous Appearance
The revered deity of Shri Gopinath in Vrindavan stands as yet another testament to this divine union. Uniquely, the deity of Shri Jahnava Devi, the spiritual consort of Shri Nityananda Prabhu, appeared miraculously on Shri Gopinath’s left side, further reinforcing the Gaudiya Vaishnav understanding of Radha’s eternal presence beside Krishna.
The Legacy of Shri Jiva Goswami’s Contribution
Despite the existence of diverse sects and theological interpretations, Shri Jiva Goswami’s teachings were universally accepted by prominent spiritual leaders across traditions. His establishment of Shri Radha’s worship alongside Shri Krishna marked a profound shift in Vaishnav devotional practice — one that continues to shape the spiritual landscape of Vrindavan and Gaudiya Vaishnavism worldwide.
The Gaudiya Vaishnav tradition’s intricate theological insights into Shri Radha’s identity as Mahabhava Swarupa — the embodiment of the highest spiritual emotion — remain unparalleled. It is this profound understanding of divine love that led to the advent of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who manifested as Antah Krishna Bahir Gaura — Krishna within, yet appearing outwardly as Shri Radha in the form of Mahaprabhu — to experience the depth of His own sweetness as tasted through the heart of Shri Radha.
Thus, the union of Shri Radha and Shri Krishna, as meticulously established by Shri Jiva Goswami and sanctified by divine revelations, stands as the heart of Gaudiya Vaishnav devotion — a sacred bond symbolizing the pinnacle of spiritual love.
