Who comes first?

Giriraj Swami: Radha Krishna-pranaya-vikritir hladini saktir asmad / ekatmanav api bhuvi pura deha-bhedam gatau tau / caitanyakhyam prakatam adhuna tad- dvayam caikyam aptam / radha-bhava-dyuti-suvalitam naumi krishna-svarupam

"The loving affairs of Sri Radha and Krishna are transcendental manifestations of the Lord’s internal pleasure-giving potency. Although Radha and Krishna are one in Their identity, They separated Themselves eternally. Now, these two transcendental identities have again united, in the form of Sri Krishna Caitanya. I bow down to Him, who has manifested Himself with the sentiment and complexion of Srimati Radharani although He is Krishna Himself." —Sri Caitanya-caritamrita, Adi-lila 1.5

Once, in Calcutta, Acyutananda Swami had a conversation with our landlord, a Bengali gentleman named Mr. Ray. The landlord had told Acyutananda his version of Radha and Krishna and Lord Caitanya. He said that Lord Caitanya is the original and that Radha and Krishna come from Him. And he said that Lord Caitanya is even greater or more beautiful than Radha and Krishna, as rasagulla is better than milk and sugar. Acyutananda was somewhat confused by the landlord’s philosophy, so he approached Srila Prabhupada to understand the truth.

Acyutananda Swami presented the whole discussion to Srila Prabhupada. Then he asked, "Who comes first?" Srila Prabhupada replied that Radha and Krishna come first and that when They combine together, the combination is Lord Caitanya. "The same example: first milk and sugar exist separately, and then they combine together to make rasagulla.” Then Acyutan-nda asked, “Well, who is greater?" Srila Prabhupada paused for some moments, closed his eyes, and then answered, "Radharani is greater." Then he pointed to a picture on the wall, where Srimati Radharani was sitting on a raised platform and Krishna was kneeling at Her feet, trying to please Her. And Srila Prabhupada said, "Srimati Radharani is the greatest." Then he pointed to another picture, where baby Krishna was carrying the shoes of Nanda Maharaja on His head, and said, "Nanda Maharaja is the greatest." Then there was even a picture of Mother Yasoda with a stick and little Krishna cowering in fear. Srila Prabhupada concluded, "The devotee is the greatest."