What it means
Radha and Krishna, named together. Vaishnava devotion sees Radha as Krishna's hladini shakti, the energy of his own joy, so the two are rarely spoken of apart.
Where it comes from
Walk through Vrindavan, Barsana or Govardhan and you'll hear this name everywhere, from rickshaw drivers to temple priests. Many devotees say Krishna is happiest when Radha's name comes first. Nearly every Braj tradition holds it dear, the Nimbarka, Vallabha and Radhavallabh schools among them.
How to chant it
No formal seat is needed. You can sit with a mala, or sing it softly while walking a parikrama. In Braj it's sung more often than whispered, and picking up a simple tune tends to settle the mind faster.
When: Any time. In Braj the hour around the evening aarti feels especially right for it.
Try it now
The japa counter opens with this mantra selected and keeps count for you.