Editing Radha (section)

=== As Krishna's lover consort (Parakiya rasa) ===
Radha is admired as an ideal of perfect lover. In [[Gita Govinda]], it is not certain whether Radha was married or if she was an unmarried maiden. But, the relationship between [[Radha Krishna]] was unfolded in the secrecy of [[Vrindavan]] forest hinting at the ''Parakiya rasa.'' This can be understood from the verse where [[Nanda Baba|Nanda]], the father of Krishna, who represents social authority and ideal of [[dharma]] ordered Radha Krishna to go home as storm was approaching Vrindavan but the order was defied by the couple. The translation of first verse of Gita Govinda is as follows:

{{Block quote|text=Radha, you alone must take him home. This is Nanda's command. But, Radha and Madhava (Krishna) stray to a tree in the grove by the path and on the bank of the Yamuna their secret love games prevail.|author=Jayadev|source=Gita Govinda}}

In the Gita govinda, Radha stands in relation to Krishna as his consort. She is neither a wife nor a devoted rustic playmate. She is an intense, solitary, proud figure who is addressed as ''Sri, Candi, Manini, Bhamini'' and ''Kaamini''. She is portrayed as Krishna's partner in a mature and exclusive love.{{sfn|Miller|1975|pp=655–671}}

In Vidyapati's work, Radha is depicted as a young girl barely twelve years old, while Krishna is depicted slightly older than her and as an aggressive lover. In the work of poet Chandidas, Radha is depicted as a bold woman who is unafraid of social consequences. Radha abandons all social propriety in the name of her love for Krishna. Excerpts of Chandidas's work showing Radha's boldness:

{{Poem quote|text=Casting away all the ethics of caste, my heart dotes on Krishna day and night. The custom of the clan is far away cry, and now I know that love adheres wholly to its own laws.
I have blackened my golden skin longing for him. As the fire encircled me, my life begins to wilt. And my heart brooding eternally, parched for my dark darling, My Krishna.|author=Chandidas}}

In loving Krishna, Radha violates the basis of caste, showing no care for the realities of social structures. Love consumed her to extent that once having fair complexion, Radha turned herself into Krishna's dark color.  Chandidas used the word "fire" as synonym for Radha's love towards Krishna. The Radha of Chandidas is favored by [[Gaudiya Vaishnavism|Gaudiya Vaishnavas]].<ref name=":4">{{Cite journal |last=Steward |first=David S. |year=1980 |title=DOCTORAL DISSERTATION ABSTRACTS IN RELIGIOUS EDUCATION 1978–79 |journal=Religious Education |volume=75 |issue=4 |pages=474–494 |doi=10.1080/0034408800750410 |issn=0034-4087}}</ref>