He is the older brother of Krishna. He is white and has two hands and sometimes carries a plow or club and sometimes both. He is often seen in pictures with Krishna and with the cowherd boys. He usually wears a blue dhoti.

The beauty of Balarama is described by Rupa Gosvami in the Nectar of Devotion. "Let me take shelter of the lotus feet of Balarama, whose beauty is enhanced by the earrings touching His checks. His face is decorated with tilaka made from kasturi (musk), and His broad chest is decorated with a garland of gunja (small conchshells). His complexion is as white as an autumn cloud, He wears garments of blue color, and His voice is very grave. His arms are very long, touching His thighs, and He has shown His great strength by killing the Pralamba demon. Let me take shelter of this chivalrous Balarama."

"Sri Baladeva is the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself. He is equal in supremacy to the Supreme Godhead, yet where ever Krishna appears, Sri Baladeva appears as Krishna's brother sometimes elder, sometimes younger." (Srimad Bhagavatam 10.1.24 purport)

"Sri Balarama is the servitor Godhead who serves Lord Krishna in all affairs of existence and knowledge. The transcendental abode exists by the energy of Lord Balarama. Krishna's first expansion in a form for pastimes is Balarama. Balarama Himself helps in the pastimes of Lord Krishna and He does the work of creation in four other forms. In all forms Balarama tastes the transcendental bliss of serving Krishna." (Caitanya Caritamrita Adi 4.8-11)

She is also known as Radha, Radhe and Radhika. Her complexion is like molten gold. She wears blue garments, and wears pearls and flowers. She is the most important of the gopis of Vrindavana. She is the main consort of Krishna and is often seen standing with Lord Krishna on the altar in temples.

The word Radha means "the greatest worshiper of Krishna." Since Radha's love is the greatest, She gives the greatest pleasure to Sri Krishna. "Jagat mohana krsna tanhara mohini, ataeva samastera para thakurani. "Krishna enchants the whole world, but Radhika enchants even Him. Therefore, Radha is the Supreme Goddess." (Caitanya Caritamrita Adi 4.95)

The beauty of Radharani is described as: "Her eyes defeat the attractive features of the eyes of the cakrai bird. When one sees the face of Radharani, he immediately hates the beauty of the moon. Her bodily complexion defeats the beauty of gold. Thus, let us all look upon the transcendental beauty of Radharani." (Nectar of Devotion)

" Radharani is the center of all Vrindavana activities. In Vrindavana, Krishna is the instrument of Radharani; therefore all the inhabitants of Vrindavana still chant 'Jaya Radhe.' From Krishna's own statement given herein, it appears that Radharani is the Queen of Vrindavana and that Krishna is simply Her decoration." (Caitanya Caritamrita Madhya 11.150 purport)

"In Vrindavana people are accustomed to chant Radharani's name more than Krishna's name. 'Jaya Radhe.' If you want Krishna's favor, then just try to please Radharani. This is the way." (SPT 75/82)



The gopis, Krishna's cowherd girl friends in Vrindavana, are His most confidential servitors.

"The pastimes of Radharani and Krishna are self-effulgent. They are happiness personified, unlimited and all-powerful. Even so the spiritual humors of such pastimes are never complete without the gopis, the Lord's personal friends. Without the gopis, these pastimes between Radha and Krishna cannot be nourished." (Caitanya Caritamrita Madhya 8.203)

"The personal associates of Radharani, the gopi damsels of Vraja, are direct expansions of Her body. These expansions of Radharani are necessary for enhancing the pleasure potency of Sri Krishna. Their transcendental exchanges of love are the superexcellent affairs of the pastimes of Vrindavana. By the expansions of Radharani's personal body, She helps Lord Krishna taste the rasa-dance and similar other activities." (Caitanya Caritamrita Adi 4.81 purport)

"All the other gopis help increase the joy of Krishna's pastimes with Radharani. The gopis act as instruments of Their mutual enjoyment." (Caitanya Caritamrita Adi 4.217)

There are eight main gopis who are the leader of all the other gopis. They always serve Radha and try to please Her in every way. They are the dearest and most beloved friends of Radharani.