Rādhāvallabha: The “Other Sampradāya”

Abstract

This article explores the Rādhāvallabha Sampradāya (RVS), a distinctive Vaiṣṇava tradition founded in 1535 CE by Hita Harivaṁśa in Vrindāban. Often referred to as the "other sampradāya" due to its unique characteristics, the RVS is distinguished by its refusal to formally align with the four orthodox Vaiṣṇava lineages. The article highlights the RVS's "unorthodox Krishnology," which posits Rādhā as the supreme Deity, with Krishna as her intimate servant, a significant departure from other traditions that typically place Krishna as the ultimate Godhead. Furthermore, the RVS emphasizes a householder ideal over asceticism and rejects many traditional Vaiṣṇava and Hindu practices, including certain canonical Sanskrit literatures, avatāra worship, and Vedic rituals, focusing instead on the eternal love-play (nitya-vihāra) between Rādhā and Krishna. The tradition's rich musical heritage (Samāj Gāyan) and its unique literary contributions, particularly Hita Harivaṁśa's Caurāsi-Pada, are also discussed as integral to its distinct identity and devotional approach.