Rāthā. In Hindu lore, a beautiful gopi (female cattle herder). Kṛṣṇ?a is supposed to have been on intimate terms with the wives of the cowherds and particularly with Rāthā. Much of the legend comes from a 12th c. CE pastoral drama by Jayadeva, entitled Gītajovinda, which exhibits affinities with Hesiod's hymn to the Delian Apollo. In Tantrism Rāthā is the infinite love that is the very essence of Kṛṣṇa. Women participate in her nature as do men in that of Kṛṣṇa.

Geddes MacGregor, Dictionary of Religion and Philosophy, New York: Paragon House, 1989