Radha Krishna

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Unlike other gods in the Hindu pantheon, Krishna's personality has a softness to it that makes it conspicuously responsive to the longings and desires of women. As a child, his impish adorability tugs at the maternal instincts of women. As an adolescent, his aggressive behaviour with its transparent sexual overtones, is secretly understood by them. As a lover, he is prepared to overcome his own initial scruples to respond with equal passion to their overtures. When he danced the rasa he took care to perpetuate the illusion that he was available exclusively for each one of them. In lovemaking he was both untiring and accomplished. Above all he was human, treating women not just as sex-objects, but suffering like them in separation and longing.

You charm the whole world, it's true,
But Radha's charm captivates you.
The worlds pay you homage, it's true,
But a mere glimpse of Radha and your heart is lost.
Your songs and your flute attract the three worlds,
But Radha's words put all these to flight.
You pervade the world with fragrance, it's true,
But our Radha's perfume steals away your heart.

Nanda Kishor Das

When Krishna, sweetness and grace itself, played the flute, its impact was bewitching. Indeed, his flute, with its obvious phallic connotations, is but an extension of his beauty.

The Bhagwata Purana says that when the strains of his flute wafted through Vrindavan, all things became intoxicated with passion. Not even the wives of gods could resist its call. It was as if all of creation for a moment stopped to listen rapt in attention. As he played, clouds bent low to come closer to him, plants and creepers swayed in silent salute, the reeds from which his flute was made wept tears of joy and rivers slowed their pace in involuntary obeisance.

Vallabhacharaya has categorized the sound of Krishna's flute into five kinds: When the lord plays with his flute to the left, passion awakes in women; when his face is to the right, desire surges in both men and women; when his face points upwards, Kama (physical desire) infuses the gods; and when downwards, animals and birds become its prey; and when he plays straight ahead, even insentient things cannot insulate themselves from its effect.