Prema acts in two ways, sambhoga and vipralambha, union and separation — two opposites. In the condition of separation, this prema is so poisonous — more poisonous than a dreadful snake. Acute burning is there in this situation. But in sambhoga, union, it is so pleasing, paramānanda-prada, that it gives supreme happiness. At the time of separation kṛṣṇa-premāmṛta is felt to be more poisonous than very dreadful poison. And at the time of union it is supremely nectarean. So these two opposites, poison and nectar, combined together are rādhā-prema, kṛṣṇa-prema. This is the wonderful characteristic of this kṛṣṇa-prema.

 In this prema you will find that there is no intoxication, but it is a great intoxicant because it makes one mad. If you take marijuana or LSD you will become mad because they are intoxicants. But in kṛṣṇa-prema there is no intoxication, but it is a great intoxicant. If someone gets it then he becomes mad. The gopīs became mad, Radharani became mad and then Krishna becomes mad.

Also, this prema is not fire but still it burns. Kṛṣṇa-prema is not a weapon, but it pierces the heart. It is not water, but it washes away everything — your pride, your dharma, your shyness. It also makes one drown in the ocean of transcendental ecstasy, pleasure. Every moment it makes you taste that nectar. It makes you mad and dance.

There is no designation in rādhā-prema. It is free and completely, supremely pure. There is no question of crookedness in it at all, but it is wonderful that the movement of this prema is very crooked, vakra-vyavahāra, in a zig-zag way. (The Last Limit of Bhakti, p. 79-80. Lecture, Bhubaneswar, 10 September 1993.)