Gopi-gita (5): The Mood of Opulence Seen in the Gopis in Separation from Krsna, SB 10.31.4-5

This audio is included in the following series of lectures:

Topics

• Srila Gurudeva mentioned that a devotee, Srimati Janaki Dasi, has some favors for Rama. Srila Gurudeva told her not to think that this was in her svarupa. Rama will promote her to Krsna bhakti. Srila Gurudeva gave the example of Srila Gopala Bhatta Gosvami, Srila Prabodhananda Sarasvati, who were promoted to Krsna bhakti by the association of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
• About the verse 'na khalu gopika-nandano' [O friend, it is absolutely certain that You are not only the son of Yasoda; You are also the Supersoul who resides in the hearts of all living beings. In response to the prayer of Lord Brahma, you have appeared in the dynasty of devotees in order to protect the universe. (Gopi-Gita verse 4)]
• In the conversation between the gopis and Krsna, the gopis said to Krsna that You are not merely the son of Mother Yasoda; You are the indwelling witness of all souls.
• Krsna asked the gopis, If I am Paramatma, then how could I have come before you? Gopis replied that Brahma prayed and worshiped You to protect the entire world.
• Gopis gave a different reason to Krsna: that he is not the son of Mother Yasoda. Gopis said to Krsna that Mother Yasoda is so soft-hearted that she could not possibly have given birth to one as cruel, harsh, merciless, and corrupt as you.
• Gopis gave different reasons to Krsna for why He is Paramatma
• Gopis gave Krsna the reason that Jarasandha, Karna, and Duryodhana were not demons originally. All these demons had only two faults: they had no friendship with devotees and they were opposed to Krsna.
• If a person has qualities but is not fully surrendered to Krsna, he is still a demon to some extent. Srila Gurudeva quoted the verse 'yasyasti bhaktir bhagavaty' [All the demigods and their exalted qualities, such as religion, knowledge, and renunciation, become manifest in the body of one who has developed unalloyed devotion for the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vasudeva. On the other hand, a person devoid of devotional service and engaged in material activities has no good qualities. Even if he is adept at the practice of mystic yoga or the honest endeavor of maintaining his family and relatives, he must be driven by his own mental speculations and must engage in the service of the Lord’s external energy. How can there be any good qualities in such a man?SB (5.18.12)].
• When the gopis were addressing Krsna as Paramatma, they were simply repeating the utterances of others like Brahma; it was not their own idea. They personally know Krsna as the son of Yasoda and nothing more.
• Srila Gurudeva explained from the commentary of Srila Jiva Gosvami that the gopis only speak like this in the sorrow of separation from Him, not when they feel happy and satisfied. None of the inhabitants of Vraja speak like this unless they are grieving.
• About the difference between aisvarya and madhurya. The Lord’s pastimes in Vraja are always humanlike (naravata), whether they display opulence or not.
• Explained the verse 'viracitabhayam vrsni-dhurya te' [O crest-jewel of the Yadu dynasty, O beloved, Your lotus hand grants fearlessness to those souls who, terrified by the cycle of birth and death, surrender to Your lotus feet. O fulfiller of our desires, please place on our heads that very lotus hand, which grants fearlessness and accepts both the hands of Laksmi. (Gopi-Gita verse 5)]
• Meaning of 'caranam iyusam samsrter bhayat': If someone takes full shelter of the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord, He places His liberal hand on that person’s head. Then, automatically, that person becomes fearless (abhaya).
• Meaning of 'kanta kama-dam'–O beloved, You fulfill all desires; so please keep Your lotus hand upon our heads.
• Srila Gurudeva explained the reason why the gopis asked Krsna to place his lotus hand on their heads. A man’s love and affection for his subordinates will be shown by his placing his hand on that person’s head. Srila Gurudeva gave the example of Nityananda Prabhu, who placed his lotus feet on the heads of Srila Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami and Srila Raghunatha dasa Gosvami.
• Glorification of Nityananda Prabhu and how to pray to him. To show the mercy of Nityananda Prabhu, Srila Gurudeva quoted the verse 'caitanya-nityanande nahi esaba vicara' [But if one only chants, with some slight faith, the holy names of Lord Caitanya and Nityananda, very quickly he is cleansed of all offenses. Thus, as soon as he chants the Hare Krsna maha-mantra, he feels the ecstasy of love for God.].
• Glorified Srila BV Svami Maharaja, who placed his hand on the heads of whoever came to him. Srila BV Svami Maharaja gave mercy to many drunkards and cheaters who were disqualified in every way.
• Srila Gurudeva told about the fear of the gopis. They fear burning in the blazing fire of kama because Krsna is not with them. They think, “If Krsna comes into our midst, we will be out of danger."
• Conditioned souls want to become free from the cycle of birth and death, but the gopis' only desire is to be free from the fear of separation from Krsna.
• Krsna asked the gopis, Should I not place my hand where kama is present? Gopis replied that even if You want to place Your hand on the breast of Laksmi, she will not allow You to do so. Similarly, do not put your hand on our bodies; only on our heads.
• Srila Gurudeva said that one should have nistha in Sri Guru and quoted the verse 'bhayam dvitiyabhinivesatah' [Fear arises when a living entity misidentifies himself as the material body because of absorption in māyā, the external, deluding potency of the Lord. When the living entity thus turns away from the Supreme Lord, he also forgets his own constitutional position as a servant of the Lord. Therefore, an intelligent person should engage unflinchingly in the unalloyed devotional service of the Lord, under the guidance of a sadguru, whom he should accept as his worshipable deity and as his very life and soul. (SB 11.2.37)]
• In the end, there is a general discussion with devotees. Devotees asked about Gurudeva's health and the translation of books.