Rüpa’s Rādhā: Passionate, Worshipful, Strong-willed, Divine

Abstract

The article “Rüpa’s Rādhā: Passionate, Worshipful, Strong-willed, Divine” by Donna M. Wulff explores Rūpa Gosvāmin’s 16th-century Sanskrit drama Vidagdhamādhava, focusing on the character of Rādhā as both a devotee and a divine object of devotion. It analyzes her portrayal through aesthetic, literary, and theological lenses, illustrating her passionate love for Kṛṣṇa, her spiritual maturity, and her central role in Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava devotion. The piece also reflects on how Rādhā’s divine status is paralleled with Kṛṣṇa’s, emphasizing their mutual devotion and symbolic unity.