Q. In the introduction to your book, Krishna the Irresistible, you have very nicely explained the meaning of the word 'Krishna'. Can you please, in the same way, explain the meaning of the word 'Radha' for me?

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A: The word 'Radha' has been derived from the word 'Aradhana' which means worship of a loved object. This view is indirectly supported by the collective expression of the Gopis of Vrindavana when they located the footprints of Shrimati Radha along with those of Shri Krishna during their search of Shri Krishna after He suddenly vanished from their midst. This is stated in the following verse (10.30.28) of the Shrimad Bhagavatam:

anayaradhitonunam bhagavan haririshvarah

yan no vihaya govindah pritoyamanayadrahah

"Certainly this particular Gopi has perfectly worshipped the all-powerful Personality of Godhead, Govinda, since He was so pleased with Her that He abandoned the rest of us and brought Her to a secluded place."

Thus, Shrimati Radha became known as such because of her ecstatic worship of the supreme object of love, Shri Krishna.