Sri Lalita Madhav is a timeless and spiritually profound literary masterpiece that delves into the divine love and pastimes of Lord Krishna. Written by the renowned saint and philosopher Srila Rupa Goswami, this classical work is a captivating exploration of the eternal love between Lord Krishna and His beloved consort, Srimati Radharani, set against the backdrop of Vrindavan’s enchanting landscapes.

Play on Radha and Krishna, Hindu deities.

While reading this book (Sri Vidagdh Madhav), one should always keep in mind that this transcendental pastime is absolutely distinct from the mundane pastimes of so-called love engaged in by the conditioned souls of this world. Our pastimes of so-called love are mere perverted reflections of these original, spiritual pastimes, and are enacted on the material, bodily platform of lust. There is an absolute distinction, as there is a distinction between gold and iron, and so one should never try to drag these loving exchanges down to the platform of lusty affairs between men and women in this material world.

The Lalita Cult has figured and still figures prominently among the countless cults of ancient India. Lalita is looked upon by the Hindus as a divine manifestation of the goddess Durga. The cult of Lalita is intimately associated with the Sakti cult or the worship of the Divine as Energy in the feminine form. The present book studies the cult of Lalita from a historical point of view. Though this study is mainly based on the Lalitopakhayana section of the Brahmanda Purana, an endeavour is made to review other phases of the Sakti cult and its place in Vedic literature, and particularly to examine its philosophical basis. The study also aims to remove certain misconceptions and improved theories which have obscured the true import and value of the Sakti cult.

Lalita Mādhava is praised by Rāmānanda Rāya and Caitanya Mahāprabhu for its excellent verses depicting the emotions of the highest rasa. It begins in Vṛndāvana with separation from Kṛṣṇa and ends in Dvārakā when the gopīs reunite with Kṛṣṇa as his queens, while maintaining their previous identities. Thus separation resolves into union and marriage in Dvārakā. The story included details different from the pastimes described in Bhāgavatam. Thus Viśvanātha Cakravartī explains that details of the drama were enacted in a different kalpa of Brahmā.

There are many great saints in history, both in the Eastern and Western traditions. The unique distinction of Saint Jayananda is that he was born in the Western world, yet he is virtually the first Western-born servant of God to have attained sainthood status within an Eastern spiritual discipline, namely the ancient tradition of bhakti or devotion to Lord Sri Krishna. And Jayananda’s sainthood has been clearly established by Krishna Conscious authorities.