Question: We have heard about how the Hare Krishna Mantra’s three words Hare, Krishna, and Rama refer to Radharani, Krishna, and Balarama. Could we relate these to Subhadra, Krishna, and Balarama of the Jagannatha deities? Specifically, what is the relationship between Radharani and Subhadra? Is the latter an expansion of the former?
Answer by Romapada Swami: Subhadra is yoga-maya, the internal energy and Her service is to bring devotees closer to Krsna. Her parents are Vasudev and Devaki and thus She is also the sister of Krsna.
Radharani is the hladini Shakti – the pleasure potency of Krishna.
Srila Prabhupada has explained the meaning of the Hare Krsna Maha mantra as follows:
“The words “Hare” “Krishna” and “Rama” are Sanskrit words. “Hare” is an address to God’s energy, known as Radha, and “Krishna” is name of God meaning “He who is attractive to everyone.” “Rama” means “the reservoir of all pleasures.” When chanted the maha-mantra is a petition to God: “O Krishna, O energy of Krishna, please engage me in Your service.”
Srila Prabhupada refers Hare to Radharani in his explanation of the maha mantra.
Radharani and Subhadra are both internal potencies serving Krsna in different capacity.
How Krishna’s hladini sakti and His yoga-maya potency compare was recently addressed in another question and answer exchange. Please refer to the Digest 448 for additional clarification.
