December 22, 2026
A dialogue between Lord Caitanya and Ramananda Raya on the best topic to hear, and the qualifications for hearing Radha-Krishna-lila.
The Ultimate Topic: Radha and Krishna's Loving Affairs
Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu asked, "Out of all topics people listen to, which is best for all living entities?"
Rāmānanda Rāya replied, "Hearing about the loving affairs between Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa is most pleasing to the ear."
According to Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (10.33.39):
"He who faithfully hears about the dealings between Lord Kṛṣṇa and the gopīs in the rāsa dance and he who describes these activities attain to the perfectional stage of devotional service and simultaneously lose material, lusty desires."
Rāmānanda Rāya replied, "Hearing about the loving affairs between Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa is most pleasing to the ear."
According to Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (10.33.39):
"He who faithfully hears about the dealings between Lord Kṛṣṇa and the gopīs in the rāsa dance and he who describes these activities attain to the perfectional stage of devotional service and simultaneously lose material, lusty desires."
Qualifications for Hearing Radha-Krishna-Lila
A liberated person who hears about the loving affairs of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa is not inclined to have lusty desires. However, a conditioned soul should not try to hear them. If one is not liberated, hearing the rāsa dance may cause them to remember their own mundane activities and illicit connections.
By practicing regulative principles, one must rise to the platform of spontaneous attraction for Kṛṣṇa. Only then should one hear about rādhā-kṛṣṇa-līlā. The talks between Rāmānanda Rāya and Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu are conducted on the platform of liberation.
Translated and commented by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (CC Madhya 8.255)
By practicing regulative principles, one must rise to the platform of spontaneous attraction for Kṛṣṇa. Only then should one hear about rādhā-kṛṣṇa-līlā. The talks between Rāmānanda Rāya and Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu are conducted on the platform of liberation.
Translated and commented by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (CC Madhya 8.255)