The Eyes of Love: Srimati Radharani’s Vision of Krishna
The perfection of the eyes is to see Krishna, and the perfection of love is to long for Him.
“The eyes which do not look at the symbolic representations of the Personality of Godhead [His forms, name, quality, etc.] are like those printed on the plumes of a peacock.”
– Srimad Bhagavatam (2.3.22)
The One Attachment of Srimati Radharani
Even when She appeared in this world as the daughter of Vrishabhanu Maharaj and Kirtida Maharani, Srimati Radharani revealed the essence of a true lover of Krishna: She had only one attachment — Krishna, and Krishna alone.
She appeared on a beautiful thousand-petaled lotus, and Her parents were overjoyed to behold their divine child. Yet, to their sorrow, the baby never opened Her eyes. Distressed, Vrishabhanu and Kirtida could not understand why.
At that moment, Narada Muni arrived and consoled them: “Do not worry. She is waiting for a very special moment to open Her eyes, and when the time is right, she surely will.”
The First Glance
News spread quickly that Vrishabhanu and Kirtida had been blessed with a daughter. Nanda Maharaj and Yashoda soon came with their little Krishna to see baby Radhika. As Krishna leaned over the cradle, gazing at Her, Radharani at once opened Her eyes for the very first time.
That was the perfection of Her eyes — to behold Krishna.
Even today, the tradition of Vrindavan echoes this truth. Each morning, devotees rise and hurry to the altar. The first act of their day is to open their eyes before the deities of Radha and Krishna. Only after seeing the Lord, and allowing the Lord to see them, do they turn to other duties of the world.
The Lesson of Surdas
The story of Surdas, the blind saint, embodies this principle. Once, pleased with his devotion, Srimati Radharani and Krishna blessed him with vision. Overwhelmed upon seeing their divine forms, Surdas wept in ecstasy. Then, astonishingly, he begged the Lord to make him blind again.
Krishna, surprised, asked why he desired such a benediction. Surdas replied: “The only purpose of the eyes is to behold You. Having seen You both, what use are eyes now for me? As for seeing the world, when I have already seen its Creator, what need remains to look upon its temporary forms?”
This is the true vision of devotion — eyes meant only for Radha and Krishna.
The Disguise of Subal
Once, Krishna was burning in separation from Radharani and sent His dear friend Subal to fetch Her. Subal went to Radharani’s home and conveyed Krishna’s desperate plea.
But Radharani hesitated: “How can I go now? It is broad daylight, and the elders will surely notice if I leave.”
Subal suggested a clever plan: they would exchange clothes. He would remain inside, disguised as Radharani, while She would dress as him. Taking the guise of Subal, Radharani held a calf close to Her face — pretending to return it to its mother — and thus slipped out unnoticed to meet Her beloved.
When She arrived, still disguised, Krishna was disappointed: “Oh Subal, why have you come back alone? My heart aches that Radharani has not come with you.”
Radharani, still in disguise, replied: “I tried, but She is too protected by Her elders. Instead, why not spend time with Chandravali? She is good and virtuous.”
Chandravali, another gopi, was a competitor to Radharani, and Radha suspected that Krishna favored her. But when Krishna heard the suggestion, He firmly rejected it: “No! My heart belongs only to Radharani. No one else can satisfy Me. To suggest otherwise is like offering curd to someone thirsting for milk.”
Hearing these words of exclusive love, Radharani was overjoyed. She revealed Her true identity, and both embraced, tasting the sweet nectar of divine pastimes in the groves of Vrindavan.
The Fire of Separation
The love of Krishna’s devotees — and especially of the gopīs — shines brightest in the fire of viraha, or separation. Loving Krishna in separation is not only the highest love, it is also the safest.
When a devotee feels Krishna’s presence, there is a danger of pride and complacency: “I have Him; I am secure.” But in separation, the longing grows ever more intense, keeping the heart humble and burning with desire for Him.
It is like hearing that a precious diamond ring has been lost and whoever finds it may keep it. You would search diligently. But imagine if you once possessed that very ring and then lost it — how much more desperate and intense would your search be?
Similarly, the devotees of Vrindavan feel: “I once had Krishna, but due to my misfortune I have lost Him.” That pain of loss makes their hankering fierce and unstoppable. And in that mood of longing, their love for Krishna reaches its supreme height.
A Devotional Reflection
The message of these pastimes is clear: the perfection of the eyes is not in seeing the world, but in seeing Krishna. The perfection of love is not in possession, but in longing.
Srimati Radharani embodies both truths. She opened Her eyes only for Krishna, and She loves Him most in the fire of separation.
And for us, the lesson is simple yet profound: if we wish to purify our vision and deepen our love, let us train our eyes to first seek Krishna — in the altar, in His name, in His devotees — and let our hearts burn with longing for Him, knowing that only in that fire does love become eternal.
The truest devotion is not just seeing Krishna but never being satisfied without Him. Srimati Radharani’s life teaches us that the highest attachment, the purest chastity, and the deepest love exist only in single-hearted devotion to Krishna.
