Thoughts of the Gopīs - The Perfection of Absorption
In the theology of Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇavism, the gopīs (cowherd girls) of Vṛndāvana are considered the highest devotees. Their unique position is not due to vedic scholarship or austerity, but due to their intense, uninterrupted absorption in thoughts of Kṛṣṇa. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the gopīs demonstrate the perfection of samādhi—their minds are never vacant of Kṛṣṇa, whether they are churning butter, cleaning their houses, or crying in separation.
The Anxiety of Love
A prominent feature of the gopīs' thoughts is their deep anxiety for Kṛṣṇa’s well-being. When Kṛṣṇa goes to the forest to herd cows, the gopīs at home are mentally with Him. They do not think of their own comfort; rather, they are distressed thinking that Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet, which are so soft that the gopīs hesitate to place them even on their breasts, are wandering over rough stones and thorns.
- The gopis were very much afflicted because they saw Krsna walking on the sand and thought that Krsna's lotus feet were being pierced by broken chips of stone. Thinking of this, the gopis were affected, and they cried at home.
- They (the gopis) consider their breasts a very hard place for the lotus feet of Krsna, yet those lotus feet wander in the forest, which is full of thorny plants. The gopis are absorbed in such thoughts at home, although Krsna is away from them.
- The gopis continued, "How we are afflicted simply to think that Your soft lotus feet are being pricked by the dry grass and the tiny stones in the forest! We are so attached to You (Krsna) that we always think simply of Your lotus feet."
Service in Separation
The gopīs exhibit the highest level of love in separation (vipralambha). When Kṛṣṇa is absent, their feelings of love increase. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that because they are thinking of Him twenty-four hours a day, they effectively have His association even in His absence. In their intense madness of love (divyonmāda), they sometimes imitate His pastimes, thinking, "I am Kṛṣṇa!" or ask the trees and plants if they have seen the Lord.
- As the gopis were thinking of Krsna in separation twenty-four hours a day, so Krsna was also always thinking of the gopis, mother Yasoda, Nanda Maharaja and the other residents of Vrndavana.
- Being greatly disturbed by the absence of Krsna, they (the gopis) simply thought all day and night about His pastimes and thus derived some consolation.
- Absorbed in thoughts of Krsna, the gopi who was carrying her friend began to boast that she was Krsna herself: "All of you just see my movement!"
- The gopis said, "Krsna is the well-wisher of Vrndavana. He is as kind to you as to us; therefore after leaving us, He must have been present in your company. O fortunate trees, we are thinking of Krsna, the younger brother of Balarama."
Body for Kṛṣṇa
The gopīs have no concept of personal enjoyment. Śrīla Prabhupāda states that even their bodies are dedicated solely to Kṛṣṇa's pleasure. When they dress nicely or decorate themselves, it is not for vanity but with the thought, "Kṛṣṇa will be pleased to see me." This total self-abnegation is the hallmark of pure love (prema).
- The gopis think: "I have offered this body to Lord Krsna. He is its owner, and it brings Him enjoyment."
- The gopis think: "Krsna finds joy in seeing and touching this body." It is for this reason that they cleanse and decorate their bodies.
- The gopis think: "Krsna has obtained so much pleasure by seeing me." That thought increases the fullness and beauty of their faces and bodies.
Astonishing Uddhava
When Uddhava came to Vṛndāvana with a message from Kṛṣṇa, he was stunned by the gopīs' level of absorption. He saw that they were essentially "dead" to the external world, kept alive only by the hope of Kṛṣṇa's return. Seeing their condition, he realized that their spontaneous love surpassed the knowledge of great sages.
- Uddhava was standing near, and he heard Radharani talking in this way, as if She had become almost mad for Krsna. He was exceedingly surprised at how the gopis were accustomed to thinking of Krsna constantly in that topmost ecstasy of maha-bhava love.
- Krsna continued, "The gopis are the most dear. They always think of Me (Krsna) in such a way that they remain overwhelmed and almost dead in anxiety due to separation from Me. They are keeping alive simply by thinking that I am returning to them very soon."
Conclusion
The thoughts of the gopīs are the highest education for any aspiring devotee. They teach us that Kṛṣṇa consciousness is not a part-time religious activity but a state of total immersion. As Śrīla Prabhupāda states, "We must always think of Kṛṣṇa, just like the gopis."
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 Thoughts 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.