Who is Srimati Radhika? 

Sri Narada Muni  tells Srimati Radharani in the Patal-khanda of Sri Padma-Purana  –

“O Devi, You are the source of all that is specially pure and good. You are the source of the hladini, sandhini and samvit potencies and You are the Supreme Power and Supreme Knowledge. You give the highest bliss to Sri Bhagavân and even Brahma and Rudra (Shiva) cannot understand You. Your opulence is remarkable in every aspect. The best of yogis cannot reach You with their meditation. I feel all the divine shaktis are Your parts as You control various shaktis such as ichcha-shakti (will power), jnana-shakti (the power of knowledge) and kriya-shakti (the power of action). Svayam Bhagavan Sri Krishna, Who is the Supreme Personality, has countless aspects of  majesty and they are also Your parts.”

Srimat Jiva Goswamipad has written at the end of Sri-Krishna-Sandarbha:

„Amongst all the divine manifestations, Sri Krishna is God Himself. Again we see that he expresses Himself in three forms in Dwaraka, Mathura and Vrindavana. Amongst these, He expresses extraordinary sweetness in His Vrindavana -manifestation; therefore the Vrindavana – manifestation is the topmost. In Vrindavana,  He expresses various moods in His pastimes as a child with His parents and as a boy with His friends. However when He performs love-sports in His youthful form with Sri Sri Radharani, who is the crest-jewel of all Vrajanganas, He is indeed supremely wonderful. Therefore the worship of Sri Sri Radha Madhava is the suprememost.

Sri Radha is all-in-all of Sri Krishna s divine pastimes. Shyamsundar is like the dark tamala tree and Sri Radha is like the golden creeper nestling close to His loving bossom, held tightly by His passionate embrace. The sakhi-manjaris are like the newly sprouting leaves on this creeper-like Sri Radha and they are all swinging together in sweet loving rasa.

Radha in the scriptures: 

Just as the moon is inseparable from its moonlight and the milk is non-different from its whiteness, Radha and Krishna are one. Although They are inseparable, Srimati Radharani is always present besides Sri Krishna in the playground of Leelâ as the  crest-jewel of all His beloveds . In love She is Krishnamayee, in rasa She is Gourangi (brilliant), in opulence She is Laksmimayee, in sweetness She is the foremost Gopika.

Srila Shukamuni has realized Her immense importance over all other Gopikas while describing the Rasa-lila in Srimad-Bhagavatam.

anayaradhito nunam Bhagavan harireeshwarah,

yanno vihaya govindah prito yamanayadrahah

– (S.B.10.30.24.)

Explanation:

When Sri Krishna disappeared with Srimati Radharani from amidst the Râs-dance, the Brajadevis went mad with viraha. They started searching for Him. While searching, they first saw His footprints and when they started following those steps, they noticed Srimati Radharani s footprints on the left side of His footprints. Then they realized that Srimati Radharani is the most blessed of them all. A gopi said:    „Dear sakhis, look, these are Radharani s footsteps.“

Sri Bhagavan destroys all miseries and fulfils the devotee s heartfelt desire; and Sri Radharani has subjugated Him by Her adoration. As a result Sri Govinda has forsaken us in this dead night in the forest and has taken Her in a secluded place unknown to us. Her good fortune is incomparable.

The glories of service to Radha: 

radha -dasyam-apasya yah prayatate govinda-sangashaya

so yam purna-sudha-rucheh parichayam rakam vina kankshati.

kincha shyama-rati-pravaha-lahari-beejan na ye tam vidu- ste prapyapi marmita-ambudhim-aho bindum param prapnuyuh.

Meaning – “Whoever rejects Sri Radha´s service and tries to gain Sri Krishna s association, wishes to enjoy a full moon without it being a full moon night. Those who do not know Sri Radha alas!  In spite of getting an enormous ocean of amritam they are able to savor hardly a drop!

Srimati Radharani´s excellences:

Srimat Rupa Goswamipad has cited twenty-five special qualities that singularly mesmerize Sri Krishna.

Sri Radhika is

(1) Sweet;   this means, in every situation Her expressions, movements and features are pleasurable.

(2) eternally adolescent

(3) Her side-long glances are highly restless

(4) bright smile

(5) She has beautiful symbols of fortune such as barley, discus etc. on Her palms and soles.

(6) She maddens Madhava with Her sweet aroma.

(7) She is the topmost expert in singing

(8) Her speech is highly attractive.

(9) well versed in the art of witty speech

(10) humble

(11) compassionate

(12) expert in various arts

(13) extremely clever

(14) bashful

(15) extremely well mannered

(16) patient

(17) serious

(18) charming expressions of love-making

(19) She is immensely thirsty for Sri Krishna since She is at the height of Mahabhava (20) all the residents of Gokul love Her

(21) all universe is resounding with Her fame

(22) She is a pet of the elders

(23) She is completely subjugated by the love of Her sakhis

(24) the chief beloved of Sri Krishna

(25) Sri Krishna is always in Her control