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Who was Radha Rani?
Radha Rani, or simply Radha, is one of the most beloved figures in Hindu beliefs. She was one of Lord Krishna’s most important and beloved Gopis, and her love for Shri Krishna was above anything and everything else. Her love for Lord Krishna is considered the highest form of spiritual devotion, and her name is always taken before his by calling out ‘Radhe Krishna’.
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The story of Lord Krishna and Radha rani
The story of Radha, Krishna, and their divine love is a part of Vrindavan’s breath. The trees in Vrindavan remember the two of them, the animals in Vrindavan worship them, and the people of Vrindavan wish to be one with them.
And Yugas ago, Lord Krishna was the mischievous young boy who would herd cows and play the flute, and Radha, along with other gopis, would be enchanted by the melody.
It is said that Radha Rani loved Krishna dearly, but both knew their places and their duties towards Earth, and thus had to go their own ways.
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As the epitome of love
Radha Rani’s love for Lord Krishna is said to be the highest form of bhakti. She did not wish for anything from Lord Krishna but only revelled in his presence, name, and essence. Radha Rani was the one who lost everything when it came to love as Shri Krishna went away, and yet she lost nothing as she gained the highest spiritual connections with Krishna.
And for many today, she is a symbol of both Viraah (pain of separation) and Shringaar (Love in all forms).
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When Lord Krishna went to Mathura
When Lord Krishna left Vrindavan for Mathura, it is said that Radha Rani tried to stop him. And when Lord Krishna had already realised his duty and dharma, he listened to no one, eventually leaving Radha alone. It is believed that she waited, wandered in the forests, spoke to the animals and trees, and cried silently. But most of all, she carried Krishna in her soul and heart, and took his name with every breath of hers.
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The story of Chhaaya Radha
According to some legends, when Lord Krishna left Vrindavan, Radha Rani was so devastated that she could not return to normal life. And eventually she withdrew herself from family and society, and went into the forests. To not make others worry, she left behind ‘Chhaya Radha’, a shadow of hers, to go on with daily life.
Many also say that it was Chhaya Radha who got married to Ayan, not Radha Rani herself.
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The eventual death
One of the most touching beliefs people have is that when Radha Rani went to see Lord Krishna in Dwarka, they spent months of happiness in each other’s company. But when she realised that her spiritual and divine love for him was much more profound, she decided to retreat into the forest, spending her last days remembering him, instead of being with him.
It is believed that overtime, as she grew old, Lord Krishna came to know that Radha was on her deathbed, and went to see her one last time and asked if there was anything he could do for her. Radha, lying peacefully, asked Krishna to play his flute for her, and he did so till she breathed her last.
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The last flute
After Radha Rani passed into another life, Lord Krishna’s flute was never the same to him. And so stories and legends say that he broke his flute right there, and never played it again.
And some other beliefs claim that Lord Krishna broke the flute, threw it into Yamuna, and gave up on the joy of music just as Radha Rani left.
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The belief of union
Another story about Radha Rani’s death is that when she breathed her last, she did not pass on to another soul or body, but just united with a form of Krishna that was always waiting for her. Eventually, the form of Lord Krishna that ruled Dwarka also had to pass on from Earth, and the two met again with the same childlike innocence and love.
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