RADHA, the celebrated mistress of Krishna ; she Wit8 the wife of Ayana-Gosha, a cowherd of Gokal, with whom she lived within a forest near the Jumna ; she was one of Krishna's favourite mistresses, the chief of the Gopi or nymphs of Vrij. She has been deified by the Hindus, and her image is set up in the temples, and worshipped et the festivals with that of Krishna, being con sidered an incarnation of Lakshmi. In IIindu poetry Radius occupies a prominent place. Her parents were Vrisha-bhanu and Kiritidha. She is also called Kalavati. In the Indian Song of Songs, nothing can be more graceful and delicate than tho shades by which Krishna is portrayed in the gradual process of being weaned by the love of 'Beautiful Radha, Radha,' from the allurements of the forest nymphs, in whom the five senses are typified. As he is playing with them in the deep green wood, 'In the early days of spring, When every wind from warm Malay brings fragrance on its wing,' suddenly glides Radha into the circle, 'And all among those damsels free and bold Touched ICrishna with a soft mouth, kind and cold;
.And like the others leaning on his breast, Unlike the others left there Love's unrest ; And like the others joining in his song, Unlike the others made him silent long ;' she leaves in him the sense of a trouble, of a longing, which all the blandishments of his woocl nymphs cannot soothe away. He bids farewell to his more earthly pastimes :— We will play no more, beautiful shadows ! A fancy came solemn and sad, More sweet with unspeakable longings Than the best of the pleasures we had : I am not now the Knshna who kissed you ; That expisite dream, The Vision I saw in my dancing, Has spoiled what you seem.' Ile is shamed and penitent at having declined upon a lower passion from an affection once within his reach, so infinitely more complete.— Arnold.