View source for Cultivating the Gopīs' Pure Mood

The highest platform of devotional service is found in the mood of the ''gopīs'' of Vṛndāvana, whose love for Kṛṣṇa is unalloyed and free from any tinge of selfishness. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that this mood is not a subject for cheap imitation but a deeply advanced spiritual realization. By examining the examples of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and the Six Gosvāmīs, one can understand that the essence of this mood lies in the intense desire to please the senses of Kṛṣṇa, totally abandoning one’s own happiness.

<div class="toc-right">__TOC__</div>

=== Nature of Gopīs' Love vs. Lust ===

It is essential to distinguish the mood of the ''gopīs'' from mundane lust. Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that while lust is the drive for personal sense gratification, the love of the ''gopīs'' is the total dedication to satisfying Kṛṣṇa. Their interactions with Kṛṣṇa are transcendental and can only be understood by those free from the bodily concept of life.

* [[Vaniquotes:Lusty desires are experienced when one is concerned with his own personal sense gratification. The mood of the gopis is not like that. Their only desire is to satisfy the senses of Krsna|Lusty desires are experienced when one is concerned with his own personal sense gratification. The mood of the gopis is not like that. Their only desire is to satisfy the senses of Krsna.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:It is firmly concluded that the ecstatic mood of the gopis is possible only before Krsna, and no one else|It is firmly concluded that the ecstatic mood of the gopis is possible only before Krsna, and no one else.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The gopis provide the highest example of such unalloyed love of Godhead, and Lord Caitanya at the ultimate stage of realization displayed the viraha worship in the mood of the gopis|The gopis provide the highest example of such unalloyed love of Godhead, and Lord Caitanya at the ultimate stage of realization displayed the viraha worship in the mood of the gopis.]]

=== Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu's Absorption ===

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu descended specifically to taste the transcendental mellows of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī's love. Śrīla Prabhupāda describes how the Lord would wander in ecstasy, fully absorbed in the mood of the ''gopīs'', seeing the presence of Kṛṣṇa in every tree and creeper, and exhibiting the symptoms of divine separation.

* [[Vaniquotes:Absorbed in the ecstatic mood of the gopis, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu wandered here and there. He began to inquire after Krsna by quoting verses to all the trees and creepers|Absorbed in the ecstatic mood of the gopis, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu wandered here and there. He began to inquire after Krsna by quoting verses to all the trees and creepers.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Becoming fully absorbed in that vision, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu had assumed the mood of the gopis, so much so that everywhere He looked He saw Krsna standing with His flute to His lips|Becoming fully absorbed in that vision, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu had assumed the mood of the gopis, so much so that everywhere He looked He saw Krsna standing with His flute to His lips.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:He is Krsna, yet He has accepted the mood of the gopis. How is it so? It is the inconceivable character of the Lord, which is very difficult to understand|He is Krsna, yet He has accepted the mood of the gopis. How is it so? It is the inconceivable character of the Lord, which is very difficult to understand.]]

=== Example of Six Gosvāmīs ===

Following in the footsteps of Lord Caitanya, the Six Gosvāmīs of Vṛndāvana perfectly embodied this internal mood. Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that they were always swimming in the ocean of transcendental feelings, searching for the Divine Couple and engaging in eternal service.

* [[Vaniquotes:Srinivasacarya said that the Gosvamis were always absorbed in the ocean of transcendental feelings in the mood of the gopis. When they lived in Vrndavana they were searching for Krsna, crying, "Where are You, Krsna?"|Srinivasacarya said that the Gosvamis were always absorbed in the ocean of transcendental feelings in the mood of the gopis. When they lived in Vrndavana they were searching for Krsna, crying, "Where are You, Krsna?"]]
* [[Vaniquotes:They (the six Gosvamis) are honored all over the three worlds, and they are worth taking shelter of because they are absorbed in the mood of the gopis and are engaged in the transcendental loving service of Radha and Krsna|They (the six Gosvamis) are honored all over the three worlds, and they are worth taking shelter of because they are absorbed in the mood of the gopis and are engaged in the transcendental loving service of Radha and Krsna.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The six Gosvamis are honored all over the three worlds, and they are worth taking shelter of because they are absorbed in the mood of the gopis and are engaged in the transcendental loving service of Radha and Krsna|The six Gosvamis are honored all over the three worlds, and they are worth taking shelter of because they are absorbed in the mood of the gopis and are engaged in the transcendental loving service of Radha and Krsna.]]

=== Internal Cultivation and Siddha-deha ===

For the practicing devotee, Śrīla Prabhupāda warns against external imitation, such as changing one's dress to look like a ''gopī''. Instead, one should cultivate the mood internally in their spiritual body (''siddha-deha''). By serving under the direction of the associates of Rādhārāṇī (''sakhī-bhāva''), one can attain perfection.

* [[Vaniquotes:One need not externally change his dress. By following the mood of the associates and friends of Radharani, one can ultimately achieve the perfectional stage and be transferred to Goloka Vrndavana, the transcendental abode of Krsna|One need not externally change his dress. By following the mood of the associates and friends of Radharani, one can ultimately achieve the perfectional stage and be transferred to Goloka Vrndavana, the transcendental abode of Krsna.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:One should accept the mood of the gopis in their service. In such a transcendental mood, one should always think of the pastimes of Sri Radha and Krsna|One should accept the mood of the gopis in their service. In such a transcendental mood, one should always think of the pastimes of Sri Radha and Krsna.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The mood of the gopis' emotional pursuit is called siddha-deha. This word indicates the pure spiritual body which is beyond the senses, mind and intelligence|The mood of the gopis' emotional pursuit is called siddha-deha. This word indicates the pure spiritual body which is beyond the senses, mind and intelligence.]]

=== Conclusion ===

The mood of the ''gopīs'' is the zenith of spiritual life, representing total self-forgetfulness for the pleasure of the Supreme Lord. Whether exhibited by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu in His divine ecstasy or practiced by the Six Gosvāmīs in their intense separation, this mood serves as the ultimate goal for the Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava. Śrīla Prabhupāda instructs that by carefully following the path of the Gosvāmīs and cultivating this mood internally, a devotee can transcend the material world and enter the eternal pastimes of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa in Goloka Vṛndāvana.

=== Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani ===

Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category [[Vaniquotes:Category:Mood of the Gopis|Mood of the Gopis]]. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.

(See our [[Vanipedia:Methodology for AI-Assisted Articles|Vanipedia:Methodology for AI-Assisted Articles]])
[[Category:Vanipedia Gemini - Articles]]