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Love in all its forms finds its epitome in the "dual-unity" of
Lord Krishna and his beloved, Radha. Krishna is seen as the universal symbol of
the lover and the ideal hero (nayak) while Radha as the universal
symbol of the beloved and the ideal heroine (nayika). As lovers, their
divine love-play encompassed a whole range of variations. It is as if all lovers
in the universe can find some part of themselves reflected in the love of Radha
and Krishna.
Such is the charisma of the love-lore of Radha and Krishna, such is its
vastness spread over a million emotions, and such is its brilliance, that the
name of their love and them as lovers has become a sanctifying force for all
contact between the sexes, sometimes also a cover for human prurience.
Womenfolk in India feel a natural pull towards Lord Krishna as a God. This is
partly because Krishna is a God "created" specially for women. This fact, in
turn, has led to the stature of Radha rise in Krishna-based lore. Radha seems to
be, in a significant measure, contributing to the aura surrounding Lord Krishna.
The personality and feelings attributed to Radha were in great measure,
identified by the Indian women, who felt those same feelings as silent desires
and fantasies.
Krishna is the master of love and yet allows domination by his lover, Radha.
As a result, Radha's love for Krishna can be seen as being complete in all
respects - love, which is a devotion that God Himself worships. The story of
Radha and Krishna is able to talk directly to our innermost sensual and
spiritual feelings, thus being able to capture our very soul in its ecstatic yet
mystical and charming yet profound flavors. |
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