"Such in brief is Krishna's form. Now let me tell you a little of Radha's self. Krishna's powers are infinite, but three of them are the chief, _viz._, the _chit_ power, the illusion power (_máyá_), and the preservation power (_jiba_). These three I call the internal, the external, and the marginal (or adjacent). The highest is the internal _swarup_ power. Witness the _Vishnu Puran_, VI. vii. 60. "Krishna's self is composed of _sat_, _chit_ and _ananda_. Therefore His _swarup_ power must be of three kinds: in the _ánanda_ portion it is _hládini_, in the _sat_ portion it is _sandhini_, in the _chit_ portion it is _sambita_. Witness the _Vishnu Puran_, I. xii. 48: "What delights Krishna is named the _Ahladini_ power, by which He enjoys delight. Krishna is Himself delight, and yet He tastes delight. _Hladini_ has been created to give enjoyment to the faithful. The essence of _hladini_ is named _prem_ (love). The story of _prem_ is filled with the emotions of _ánanda_ and _chit_. The supreme emotion (_mahábhába_), is the quintessence of _prem_. The lady Radha is the personation of that supreme emotion. [Vide the _Brahma Samhita_, V. 33]" * * * * * The Master spoke, "This is the limit of the thing adored. Through your grace I have learnt it of a verity. None can gain the Adorable without adoration. Tell me kindly the way to gain Him." The Ray answered, "I speak as you make me, without my knowing what I say. Where in all the three worlds can we find the constant man who cannot be shaken by your illusive play? You are speaking through my mouth; yet you are my listener! Hear, then, the deep mystery of adoration. The play of Radha with Krishna is extremely deep, and cannot be learnt from the _dásya_, _bátsalya_ and other moods. The _sakhis_ (female associates) alone are qualified for it; from them has this play (_lilá_) spread. This play cannot be kept up without _sakhis_; they alone relish this _lilá_ in full. _Sakhis_ alone have a right to this _lilá_, i.e., those who adore Krishna in the spirit of His _sakhis_. Such votaries can practise devotion in the form of attending on Krishna and Radha in their secret bower. There is no other means of mastering this form of devotion. Witness the _Git-Govinda_, x. 17: _'What man versed in the deepest mystery (ras) will not take refuge at the feet of the sakhis, the personations of the chief power, without whose help Radha and Krishna's pleasure-force and pleasure-manifestation, though self-expressive, cannot for a moment attain to fulness of development?'"_