The New Gopi’s Desire
A newly-married gopi had recently come to live in Nandagaon. Though she had heard much about Krishna and His enchanting activities, she had never had the fortune to see Him in person. Each day, Krishna’s flute-playing would draw the residents of Vraja to the royal path, eager to catch a glimpse of His divine beauty. People would climb trees, stand on balconies, and peer through windows just to see Him.
The Mother-in-Law’s Restriction
Despite her yearning to see Krishna, the gopi’s mother-in-law forbade her from going, citing the danger of a “black snake” (a metaphorical caution or possible real danger) that might harm her. The bride argued, “Your daughter goes there; why should I be forbidden?” But the mother-in-law remained firm in her restriction.
The Gopi’s Devotion
Undeterred, the new bride secretly went to a bush near the royal path, where she could catch a glimpse of Krishna. Krishna, aware of her devotion, orchestrated a divine play. He gently nudged a calf, causing it to run toward the gopi and stand near her. Krishna then appeared at the spot, touched the gopi’s chin with His flute, and quickly ran off to join His friends.
Divine Absorption
Overwhelmed by Krishna’s beauty, the gopi lost all external consciousness and remained motionless, absorbed in the bliss of His presence. As time passed, her mother-in-law grew concerned and went searching for her.
The Mother-in-Law’s Misinterpretation
When the mother-in-law found the gopi, she mistakenly believed that her daughter-in-law had been bitten by a snake. She brought her back home and ordered her to churn yogurt into buttermilk. In her absorbed state, the gopi mistakenly churned mustard seeds instead of yogurt. The intermittent noise from her churning alarmed her mother-in-law and other gopis.
The Water-fetching Incident
The mother-in-law then instructed her to fetch water from the well, balancing three pots on her head, holding a rope, and carrying a baby. The gopi, still lost in her divine absorption, tied the rope around the baby’s neck instead of using it to draw water. The other gopis, witnessing this, cried out in alarm.
Understanding the Situation
Some of the gopis, understanding the true nature of the situation, explained that the bride was not possessed by a ghost but was deeply absorbed in Krishna, the son of Nanda Maharaja. Her behavior was an expression of man-manā bhava, a state of complete absorption in Krishna, which is the highest form of devotion.
Lessons to be Learned
- Devotional Absorption: The story highlights the profound level of devotion where a devotee becomes so absorbed in Krishna that they lose awareness of their external surroundings. This state of divine absorption demonstrates the depth of love and devotion.
- Divine Play: Krishna’s divine play and interaction with His devotees show how He responds to and nurtures their devotion in intimate and personal ways.
- Perspective on Divine Love: The story provides insight into the nature of pure devotional love, where material concerns and even societal norms become secondary to the love and devotion for the Divine.
Teachings from Srila Prabhupada’s Books
Srila Prabhupada often emphasized the significance of complete absorption in Krishna. In his teachings, he describes how such deep devotion transforms every aspect of a devotee’s life, making material concerns and distractions insignificant. This story exemplifies the ideal of loving devotion, where external actions become secondary to the internal state of divine absorption.
Prayers
Prayer for Absorption in Krishna: “O Krishna, may we be blessed with the same depth of devotion as the gopi, where our hearts are fully absorbed in Your divine presence. May our love for You transcend material distractions and bring us into the blissful state of man-manā bhava.”
Prayer for Divine Guidance: “O Divine Lord, guide us on the path of devotion. Help us to see beyond the external and recognize the essence of pure love that connects us with You. May we always remain absorbed in Your divine activities and eternal beauty.”
Conclusion
The story of the newly-wedded gopi serves as a powerful example of divine absorption and the transformative power of true devotion. It illustrates how devotion to Krishna can lead to an intense, blissful state where the devotee is fully immersed in the divine presence, transcending worldly concerns.
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