We pray to Srimati Radharani because She is the Lord's hladini-shakti (pleasure potency). The name "Sri Krishna" means "He who attracts everyone." Yet, Radharani is so magnificent that even Sri Krishna is attracted to Her. Sri Krishna enchants everyone, but Radharani enchants Sri Krishna. Therefore, today we should try to understand the exalted position of Srimati Radharani and offer our obeisances to Her.
Taptakanchana-gaurangi Radhe Vrindavaneshvari | Vrishabhanu-sute Devi pranamami Hari-priye ||
"I offer my obeisances to Srimati Radharani. Her bodily complexion is as beautiful as molten gold. She is the Queen of Vrindavana. She is the daughter of Maharaja Vrishabhanu and is exceedingly dear to Lord Sri Krishna." Our duty is to pray, "O Radharani, You are very dear to Sri Krishna." "I offer my obeisances unto You."
Radharani is Haripriya—that is, "most dear to Sri Krishna." Attaining Sri Krishna is extremely difficult; however, if we attempt to reach Him with Radharani's assistance, the path becomes very simple. No matter how great a fool we may be, if Radharani tells Sri Krishna, "This devotee is very good," Sri Krishna will immediately accept us. That is why you will observe that in Vrindavan, people chant Radharani's name even more than Sri Krishna's. People greet one another by saying "Jai Radhe!" You can witness this in Vrindavan to this day. Everyone sings the glories of Radharani. They worship Radharani rather than Sri Krishna, because—no matter how fallen I may be—if I can somehow manage to please Radharani, then understanding Sri Krishna becomes very easy for me.
Otherwise, attempting to understand Sri Krishna solely through the strength of one's own knowledge would take many lifetimes. But if you embrace devotion and strive to please Radharani, you will easily attain Sri Krishna. Radharani can grant us Sri Krishna. She is the supreme devotee—Mahā-bhāgavatī-svarūpā (the embodiment of the highest devotion).
Even Sri Krishna Himself cannot fully comprehend Radharani's qualities. As stated in the Gita (7.26)—
vedāhaṁ samatītāni—Sri Krishna knows everything, yet Radharani remains beyond the scope of full comprehension. Such is the greatness of Radharani.
(Excerpt from a lecture delivered by Srila Prabhupada in London on August 29, 1971—Radhastami)
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