Lord Siva’s Journey to Vrindavan
Once, while in deep meditation on Mount Kailash, Lord Siva heard the sweet vibration of Krsna playing His divine flute. Mesmerized, he entered samadhi and followed the transcendental sound until he arrived in Vrindavan, where Lord Gopinath was preparing to start the Maha Raas-Lila with His gopis.
Seeking Entry to the Rasa Dance
Intensely desiring to join the maha-rasa, Lord Siva approached the entrance of the rasa-sthali but was stopped by Yogamaya, who told him, “No males except Krsna are allowed entry. First, you must have the form of a Vraja milkmaid, a gopi, only then can you enter.”
Lord Siva inquired, “How can I get gopi-rupa?” Yogamaya replied, “Seek the shelter of Vrinda Devi. She will grant you the form of a gopi.”
Transformation into a Gopi
Vrinda Devi asked Lord Siva to take a dip in the waters of Manasarovara in Vrindavan. After bathing there, Lord Siva emerged from the lake with the form of a beautiful gopi. Vrinda Devi then took Lord Siva in her gopi form to one corner of the rasa sthali. There, Lord Siva stood and prayed to Sri Sri Radha Krsna for prema-bhakti.
Participation in the Rasa Dance
The rasa dance began, and Lord Krsna danced elegantly with all the gopis, including Lord Siva disguised as a gopi. After some time, when they rested, Krsna remarked, “I’m not getting the usual pleasure from our rasa. Something is not right. I think there is another man in our midst.” He then asked Lalita Devi to check all the gopis and ensure no man was among them.
Revelation and Blessing
Lalita Devi lifted the veils of all the gopis but found no man, except for one gopi with three eyes. She reported this to Krsna, who laughed heartily upon seeing the Siva gopi. He addressed him, “O Gopisvara, I am very pleased to see you in the form of a gopi. But you know that this rasa is not for householders. Therefore, since you have participated and fulfilled your desire, I offer you the post of rasa dwara pala (gatekeeper of the rasa). I also give you the blessing that henceforth, all the gopis will offer respect to you and seek your blessing to get gopi bhava.” (This pastime is described in the Garga Samhita.)
Moral of the Story
Gopisvara means Lord Siva as the controller (isvara) of the gopis. Krsna appointed him as the gatekeeper of the rasa dance, emphasizing that no one could enter the rasa-mandala without his permission.
“The gopis worshiped Lord Siva in Vrindavan, and the lord is still staying there as Gopisvara. The gopis, however, prayed that Lord Siva bless them by giving them Lord Krsna as their husband. There is no harm in worshipping demigods, provided one’s aim is to return home, back to Godhead.” (Srimad Bhagavatam 4.30.38 purport)
“A Vaishnava’s visit to the temple of Lord Siva is different from a non-devotee’s visit. A Vaishnava sees Lord Siva as being simultaneously one with and different from the Supreme Lord, like yogurt and milk. The Absolute Truth, God, is everything, but this does not mean that everything is God. It is said, vaishnavanam yatha shambhu, or that ‘Lord Siva is the highest Vaishnava.'”
Prayer to Gopisvara Mahadev
vrindavanvani pate jaya soma soma maule sanandana sanatana naradeya gopishvara vraja vilasi yuganghri padme prema prayaccha nirupadhi namo namas te
“O Shiva, O gatekeeper of Vrindavan! O you who are accompanied by Uma! O you who carry the moon in your hair! O lord worshiped by Sananda-kumar, Sanat-Kumar, and Narada Muni! O Gopishwara, the worshipable deity of the gopis! Desiring that you bestow upon me love for the divine couple, Sri Sri Radha Madhava, who perform joyous pastimes in Vraja, I offer my obeisances unto you again and again.”
Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.
