So, who is Radha? The simplest answer is given in Ved. Radhikopanishad tells us that the simplest way to understand who is Radha is with this statement, “Whatever is Radha the same is Krishna, whatever is Krishna the same is Radha.” There is no difference between the two. Radha is Krishna, Krishna is Radha.
So we know that Shree Krishna is Supreme God, Sat Chidānanda Brahm, so that means the same as Radha. Then why do They appear in two forms? That answer is also given ‘kridhanārtham dwidha bhūt’. You would have heard the term leela? Leela means the playful, loving pastimes of Radha and Krishna. How would Shree Krishna do a leela all by Himself? How would Radha do a leela all by Herself? You've been hearing many of the leelas chanted over the course of this intensive the last three days, like Radharani is playing with Shree Krishna and Shree Krishna goes and complains to His mother, “Mother, this girl, She's not playing fair!” Krishna goes and tells on Radha to His mother, “Mom, She grabbed my arm!” Maiya Yashoda comes, “Who is this girl who's playing rough with my little boy?!” Would such a leela happen that puts a smile on your face? And you'll probably be thinking about for the rest of the day because of this one leela. Your mind will be in Radha Krishna for the rest of the day. Would Krishna be able to do that leela alone or Radha? No, They need two forms. So ‘kreeda nārtham’’ means to do ‘kreeda’, to play, to do leelas, and to give premānand, They eternally appear in two forms. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Ji says the same thing, “Radha Krishna ek ātmā dui deha dhari.” They are one Supreme Divine power but They appear in two forms. Why? They also enjoy the bliss, the ras. Shree Krishna enjoys the ras of Radha Rani, Radha’s Divine love, and Radha Rani gets ras from Shree Krishna. So the ras is actually multiplied because Radha and Krishna exist in two forms.
Radha Rani also says, “Mam eva paurusham roopam gopikā janamohanam” in Brahma-Vaivart Puran. “My male form is the One who enticed the hearts of the Gopis; Gopi janavallabh Shyam is My male form. I myself am Krishna.” ‘Radhika Krishna roopansh Krishna Radha swaroopam’ in Sanat Kumar Sangeetā. One of the four Sankadik is saying that Radha Herself is Krishna, ‘Radhika Krishna roopam’. Radha is Krishna and ‘Radha Krishnah Radha swaroopakah’ and Krishna Himself is Radha. So now you've understood that the same Supreme Brahm took avatar on Janmashtami and the same Supreme Brahm took avatar on Radhashtami.
