We live in times where many people cannot handle the idea of adult women choosing their own husbands. Perhaps it is time to revisit the eloping women in sacred Krishna lore.

Krishna is famous for playing the flute at night. On hearing this, the milkmaids of Vrindavan would leave their houses to dance around him in the middle of the forest. This union took place at night in the forest, outside of the village, with women, some of whom were married. This description, found in Harivamsa, Gita Govinda, and Tamil Sangam poetry, is a rather radical idea. It speaks of how love and desire transcend social structures. His relationship with Radha is mired in controversy. He is never shown marrying her. Many metaphysical explanations are offered for this. It is considered a folk idea or a tantric idea, because it challenges the patriarchal norm of Vedic puritanism..