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govinda: A name for the youthful Krishna. Literally, the lord of the cows ("go").

rādhe: Radha is the beloved of Krishna, the embodiment of spiritual love and the Goddess of the universe. Radhe is the addressive case, meaning "O Radha!" or "Hey Radha!"

shyām: A name for Krishna, meaning "dark" or "the dark one." Krishna is said to have beautiful dark blue skin, the color of a raincloud.

gopāla: A name for the divine baby Krishna. Literally, shepherd of the cows ("go").

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"This is a chant of the two that are One. Radha is the beloved of Krishna, his main squeeze among the Gopis. They merge together on the full moon night as they dance in ecstasy."  ~ Krishna Das


"The inner meaning of Radhe is 'The one who adores Shyam.' Her name is so sacred that it is rare to be given the opportunity to even say it once, never mind repeatedly. This must have something to do with the blessings of Shyam, the dark one. May we witness their exchanges."  ~ Shyamdas


"Radhe Radhe! The word resonates from every street corner in the town of Vrindavan, where Radha eternally lives. Forgetting our names, and the bindings of our lives and personalities, upon hearing Krishna's flute we instantly transform into Radha, the beloved of our beloved, the secret lover within."  ~ Jai Uttal

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