Delivery of the Message of Kṛṣṇa to Gopīs

Chapter Forty-seven. Subject: "Delivery of the Message of Krsna to Gopis."

Next paragraph.

When the gopis first saw Uddhava, they saw him exactly resembling the feature of Krsna, but they could understand that he is a great devotee and follower of Krsna. His hands were very long; his eyes were just like petals of lotus flower; he was dressed in yellow-colored garments with a garland of lotus flower; his face was very beautiful. Uddhava, having achieved the liberation of sarūpya, or of the same bodily features, he was looking almost like Krsna. And the gopis who came to visit mother Yasoda's house early in the morning, that was their duty on account of Krsna's absence. They knew that Nanda Maharaja and mother Yasoda were always remaining aggrieved, so their first duty was to come there, offer their respect to the most exalted elderly personalities of Vrndavana, so that by seeing the friends of Krsna, they would remember Krsna and be satisfied. Similarly, by seeing Nanda and mother Yasoda, the gopis would have been pleased.

But now this day when Uddhava was present, they saw that Uddhava was representing Krsna exactly in bodily feature, and they thought it that he was a complete surrendered soul to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. They began to contemplate within themselves, "Who is this boy just like Krsna? He has got the same eyes like lotus petal, he has got the same raised nose and beautiful face, and here smiling in the same fashion. Practically in all respects he is representing Krsna, the Syamasundara, the beautiful blackish boy, and he has dressed also exactly like Krsna. Wherefrom this boy has come? Who is that fortunate girl of whom this beautiful man belongs to be husband?" While they were talking about Uddhava like this, they were also very much anxious to know about him, and because they were simple girls in the village of Vrndavana, without any sophistication they surrounded all round Uddhava.

After this, when they understood that Uddhava had a message from Krsna for the gopis, they became very much engladdened and called him in a secluded place, offered him nice place to sit down, and they wanted to talk with him very freely. Therefore, without being afraid of the presence of an unknown person, they began to welcome him with nice words and in great submissiveness began to inquire from him about Krsna. They said, "We know that you are most confidential associate of Krsna, therefore He has sent you to Vrndavana for giving solace to His father and mother. We can understand that family affection is very strong. Even great sages who have taken to the renounced order of life, they cannot give up cent per cent family affection. Sometimes they think of their family members, and therefore Krsna has sent you to His father and mother. Otherwise, He has no other business in the Vrndavana. He is now in the town. What He has got to know about Vrndavana village or the pasturing ground here of the cows? These things are no more useful for Krsna because He is now a man in the city, and persons who do not happen to be His family member, surely He hasn't got anything to do with them.

"Friendship with members outside the family can be continued so long there is some selfish interest in them. Otherwise, why one should bother about other members who are outside the family, specifically a person who is attached to the wives of others? He is interested with them so long there is a need of sense gratification, exactly like the bumblebees, who have interest with the flowers as long as it likes to take the honey out of it. It is very natural and psychological that a prostitute does not care for her paramour as soon as the man, paramour, has lost all monetary resources. Similarly, the citizens, when they find a government is incapable giving them full protection, they give up such place. The students also, after finishing their education, give up the relationship of the teacher and the school. A priest also, after getting their reward from the worshipers give up their relationship. When the fruital season is over, the birds are no more interested with the particular tree. The guest, just after eating in the house of the host, gives up his relationship with him. After the forest fire, when there is scarcity of green grass, the deers and other animals also give up that forest. Similarly, a boyfriend, man, also, after enjoying his girlfriend, woman, gives up the connection." In this way, all the gopis began to accuse Krsna indirectly by so many examples of practical facts.

Next paragraph.

In this way, Uddhava experienced that in Vrndavana all the gopis are simply absorbed in the thoughts of Krsna and His different activities of childhood pleasure, boyhood pastimes. In talking about Krsna with Uddhava, they forgot all about their household business or about themselves. Their interest in Krsna gradually increased more and more while talking with Uddhava.

One of the gopis, namely Srimati Radharani, She was so much absorbed in thoughts of Krsna by Her personal touch with Him that She actually began to talk with a bumblebee which was flying there and trying to touch the lotus feet of that gopi. While other gopis were talking with Uddhava as messenger from Krsna, Srimati Radharani took that bumblebee as messenger from Krsna and began to talk with it as follows: "Oh, you are the bumblebee. You are very much accustomed to drink honey from flower to flower, and therefore you have preferred to become a messenger of Krsna, who is of the same nature as you are. I can see on your moustaches the red powder of kuhkuma, which was smeared with the flower garland of Krsna while pressing the breast of some other girl who is My competitor, and you are feeling very much proud by touching that flower, and therefore your moustaches has become reddish. And you have come here carrying that message for Me; therefore, you are so much anxious to touch My feet. My dear bumblebee, I warn you-don't touch Me! I don't want any message from your unreliable master, and I can conjecture also that you are as much an unreliable servant of the unreliable master."

It may be that Srimati Radharani purposefully talking with that bumblebee, sarcastically criticizing the messenger, Uddhava, who represented Krsna. Indirectly, Srimati Radharani classified Uddhava not only in the bodily feature as other gopis did, but She wanted to place Uddhava on the same level of quality with Krsna. Indirectly She indicated that Uddhava was as much unreliable as Krsna Himself is.

Srimati Radharani wanted to give some practical reasoning why She was so much dissatisfied with Krsna, and what to speak with His messenger. She said, addressing the bumblebee, that "Your master Krsna is exactly of your quality. As you sit down on a flower and just after tasting a little honey you immediately fly away and sit down in another flower and taste its honey, your master Krsna is exactly of the same nature because He had given Me only once the chance of tasting the touch of His lips, and then He left us altogether. I know also that the goddess of fortune, Laksmi, who is always in the midst of lotus flower, is constantly engaged in Krsna's service. But I do not know how she has become so much captivated by Krsna and why she is so much attached to Krsna, although she knows the actual character of Krsna. Maybe she is simply captivated by the sweet words of Krsna; therefore, she could not understand the real character of Krsna. But so far we are concerned, we are more intelligent than goddess of fortune. We are not going to be cheated anymore by Krsna or His messenger."

Next paragraph.

According to expert opinion, Laksmi, the goddess of fortune, is subordinate expansion of Srimati Radharani. As Krsna has numerous expansion, visnu-mūrtis, similarly Krsna's pleasure potency, Radharani, has also innumerable expansions of goddess of fortunes. Therefore goddess of fortune Laksmiji is always anxious to be elevated to the position of the gopis.

Srimati Radharani continued to say, "You foolish bumblebee, you are trying to satisfy Me to get some reward by singing the glories of Krsna, but it is useless attempt. We are now bereft of all our possessions. We are out of our home and family. We know very well about Krsna, more than you, and what you will make us know about Krsna? They are all old stories. Krsna, now He is in the city and is better known as the friend of Arjuna, and He has now many new girlfriends, and they may be very much happy in association with Krsna because their lusty burning sensation on the breast has been satisfied by Krsna. So they are now happy, and if you go there and glorify Krsna, they may be pleased to reward you. You are just trying to pacify Me by your behavior of a flatterer, and therefore you have kept your head under My feet. But I know the trick which you are trying to play. At the same time, I know that you are messenger coming from a greater trick man, Krsna. Please therefore leave aside from me.

"I can understand that you are very much expert in reuniting two opposing parties, but at the same time you must know that I cannot place My reliance upon you, neither upon your master Krsna. And how we can do so? You know that we left our family, our husband, our children, our relatives only for Krsna, and Krsna returned without feeling any obligation for us-at last left us forlorn. Do you think we shall place our faith in Him again? We know that Krsna cannot be for a moment without being in the association of young woman. That is His nature. And He is finding difficulty in Mathura because He is no longer in the village or amongst innocent cowherds girl. He is in the aristocratic society and must be feeling difficulty to make friendship with other young girls. Perhaps you have come here to canvass again or to take us there.

"But why Krsna should expect us to return there? He has got a very great qualification to entice all other girls; not only in Vrndavana or Mathura, He can do so all over the universe. His wonderful enchanting smile is so attractive. His movement of eyebrows are so beautiful that He can call for any woman, not only here, but either in the heavenly planets or in the middle earthly planets or bottom plutonic planets. What to speak of ordinary women; even the Maha-Laksmi, the greatest of all goddesses of fortune, she is also hankering after Him to render some service. So in comparison to all these women in the universe, what we are? We are very insignificant.

"But Krsna advertises Himself as very magnanimous, and eulogized by great saints. So these qualification could be properly utilized if He could show us some mercy, because we are so much downtrodden and neglected by Him. You are poor messenger, less intelligent servant only. You do not know much about Krsna, how much ungrateful and hardhearted He is, not only in this life but also in His previous life also. We have all heard this from our grandmother, Paurnamasi. She has informed Me that previous to this birth, Krsna was born of a ksatriya family and was known as Lord Ramacandra, and in that birth also He, instead of killing Vali, an enemy of His friend, just like a ksatriya, He killed him just like a hunter. As a hunter takes a secure place hiding and then kills another animal without facing the animal, similarly Lord Ramacandra, as ksatriya, He should have fought with the Vali face to face, but instigated by His friend, He killed him from behind a tree. So He deviated from the religious principle of a ksatriya.

"Another thing, that He was so much attracted by the beauty of Sita that Sūrpanakha, the sister of Ravana, was converted into ugly woman, being cut of her nose and ears by Him. The Sūrpanakha opposed…, proposed some intimate relationship with Him. As a ksatriya, He should have satisfied her. But instead of doing that, He was so much henpecked that He could not forget Sitadevi and converted Sūrpanakha into ugly woman.

"And what to speak of His being a ksatriya? Before that birth, He took His birth as a brahmana boy known as Vamanadeva. The brahmana boy asked some charity from Bali Maharaja, and Bali Maharaja was so magnanimous that he gave Him whatever he had. Still, this Krsna as Vamanadeva ungratefully arrested him just like a crow and pushed him down the Patala kingdom.

"So we know all about Krsna, how much ungrateful He is. But the difficulty is that in spite of His being so cruel and hardhearted, it is very difficult for us to give up talkings about Him. Not only we cannot give up, but also great sages and saintly person, they are also always engaged in talkings about Him. We all gopis of Vrndavana do not like anymore to make friendship with this blackish boy. But we do not know how we shall be able to give up His remembrance and talking about His activities."

Next paragraph.

In other words, Krsna being absolute, His so-called unkind activities are also as good as His kind activities. Therefore, either saintly person or great devotees like the gopis cannot give up Krsna in any circumstances. Lord Caitanya therefore prayed that "Krsna, You are free and independent in all respect. Either You can embrace me or You can trample me down under Your feet-whatever You like. Or You make me brokenhearted even not being seen throughout my whole life, still You are my…, the only object of love."

"In my opinion one should not hear about Krsna, because as soon as a drop of the nectarean of His transcendental activities is poured into the ear, immediately one become above the platform of duality, attraction and retraction, and being completely freed from the contamination of material attachment, immediately gives up the attachment for this material world-family, home, wife, children and everything which is so materially dear to every person-and being dispossessed of all material acquisition, makes his relatives unhappy and himself also, unhappily wanders in search of Krsna, either as a human being or as a bird, and voluntarily accepts the profession of a mendicant. It is very difficult to understand what is Krsna, His name, His quality, His form, His pastimes, His paraphernalia and His entourage."

Srimati Radharani continued to speak: "You, the black messenger of Krsna, please do not talk anymore about Krsna. Better talk something else. We are already doomed, like the black-spotted she-deers in the forest, who are enchanted by the sweet musical vibration of the hunter. The same way, we have been enchanted by the sweet words of Krsna, and again and again thinking of His rays of the nails of His toe, we are becoming more and more by the lust of His association. Therefore, I request you not to talk of Krsna anymore."

Next paragraph.

This talk of Radharani with the bumblebee as messenger and Her talking of accusing Krsna in so many ways, at the same time Her inability to give up the talkings, are the signs of transcendental top ecstasy, which is called mahabhava. This mahabhava ecstatic manifestation is possible only in the person of Radharani and Her associates. Great acaryas like Srila Rūpa Gosvami and Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura, they have analyzed this talkings of Srimati Radharani, and they have opined that in the mahabhava sentiment, they are called udghūrna, bewilderment, and jalpapratijalpa, talking in different ways, and they are the signs of ujjala-rasa, the most brightest jewel of love of God.

In this way, while Radharani was talking with the bee and the bee was flying hither and thither, all of a sudden the bee disappeared from the sight of Radharani. So because She was in full bereavement out of separation from Krsna, so She was feeling ecstasy also by talking with the bee. But as soon as the bee disappeared, She became almost mad, thinking that the messenger-bee might have returned to Krsna and must have informed Him all about Her talking against Him, and Krsna must have been very sorry. And in this way, She was very much overwhelmed with another type of ecstasy.

In the meantime, the bee, flying hither and thither, again appeared before Her, and She thought that Krsna still He is kind upon Her, so that in spite of the messenger carrying disruptive messages from Her, Krsna is so kind that again He had sent the bee to take Her to Him. So this time Srimati Radharani was very much careful, and She did not talk anything against Krsna. Rather, she welcomed the bees: "My dear friend, you have come again. I welcome you, and Krsna is so kind that He has again sent you. So Krsna is so much kind and affectionate to Me that in spite of your carrying contra-messages from Me, He has again sent you. Oh, all auspiciosity for you, My dear friend. Now you can ask from Me whatever you want, I shall give you. You are so kind upon Me that you have come to take Me to Krsna, because Krsna is not able to come here on account of being surrounded by new girlfriends in Mathura. But I do not know; you are a tiny creature. How you shall be able to take Me there? And how you shall be able to help Me meeting Krsna while He is taking rest there along with the goddess of fortune, embracing her by His chest?

"Never mind. Let us forget all these things about My going there or sending you. Please let Me know how Krsna is faring there in Mathura. Please tell Me if He is remembering still about His great father, Nanda Maharaja, and affectionate mother, Yasoda, and poor friends like us the gopis or His cowherds friends. I am sure He must be sometimes singing about us, because we have served Him just like maidservants, without any payment. Is there any possibility that Krsna will again come back and place His arm, which is always fragrant on account of aguru scent, and keep it on the head of us when He returns back? Please ask Krsna about all this inquiry."

Next paragraph.

When Uddhava, who was standing by, saw Radharani talking in this way, as if She had become almost mad after Krsna, he became exceedingly surprised how the gopis were accustomed to think of Krsna constantly in that topmost ecstatic love called mahabhava. Certainly he brought some message in writing from Krsna, and now he wanted to present that message before the gopis just to pacify them, and he said as follows: "My dear gopis, your mission of human life is now successful. You are all wonderful devotees of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; therefore, you are just the persons eligible for being worshiped by all kinds of people. You are worshipable throughout the three worlds because your mind is so wonderfully absorbed in the thought of Vasudeva, Krsna. The purpose of all kinds of pious activities and ritualistic performances like giving in charity, following rigidly the austerity of some kind of vow, undergoing severe penances and igniting the fire of sacrifice, chanting of different mantras, reading of the Vedas, controlling the senses and concentrating the mind in meditation-these are some of the many different processes for self-realization and attainment of perfection of life-but actually, they are only meant for realizing Krsna and be dovetailed in the transcendent loving service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead."

This is the last instruction of Bhagavad-gita also, that although there are description of different processes of self-realization, Krsna at the end recommended that one should give up everything aside, simply surrender unto Him. In other words, all other processes, they are meant for teaching one how to surrender ultimately unto the lotus feet of Krsna. The Bhagavad-gita also says that this surrendering process is completed by a sincere person executing the processes of self-realization in wisdom and austerity after many, many births.

So the perfection of such austerity being completely manifested in the life of the gopis, and Uddhava was fully satisfied by seeing their transcendental condition of life. Uddhava continued to say: "My dear gopis, the mentality which you have developed in relationship with Krsna is very, very difficult to be attained, even by great sages and saintly person. As such, you have attained the highest perfectional stage of auspicity. It is a great boon for you that you have fixed up your mind in Krsna and have decided to have Krsna only, giving up your family, home, relatives, husband, children for the sake of the Supreme Personality. And because your mind is now fully absorbed in Krsna, the Supreme Soul, therefore universal love has automatically developed in you. I think myself to be so fortunate that I have been favored by your grace to see you in this condition of life. I take it a great fortunate incidence in my life."

Next paragraph.

As Uddhava said that he had some message from Krsna, the gopis were more interested in hearing the message from Krsna than to hear about their exalted position on account of devotion to Krsna. They did not like very much to be eulogized on account of their higher position. Therefore, they showed their anxiety to hear from Uddhava the message which he had brought from Krsna. Uddhava said, "My dear gopis, I have been especially deputed to carry this message for you, which hearing, you are so gentle and great and Krsna has specifically sent me to you because I am His most confidential servitor."

The written message which Uddhava brought from Krsna was not delivered to the gopis by Uddhava, but he personally read it before them. The reason is that the message was very gravely written, not only for understanding of the gopis, but also for understanding of all great empiric philosophers as how pure love of God is intrinsically integrated with all different kinds of energies of the Supreme Lord. From Vedic information we understand that the Supreme Lord has multi-energies, parasya saktir vividhaiva srūyate [Svetasvatara Upanisad 6.8].

It appears also, the gopis being very intimate personal friends of Krsna, while He was writing the message for them He was very much moved, and He could not write in distinct hand. As explained before, Uddhava was the student of Brhaspati; as such, he had very sharp intelligence. So he thought it wise that instead of handing over the written message to the gopis, it would be better to read them personally and explain to them.

Uddhava continued to say, "These are the words from the Personality of Godhead Krsna [within quotation]: 'My dear gopis, My dear friends, please know that separation between ourself is impossible at any time, at any place or at any circumstances because I am all-pervading.' "

This all-pervasiveness of Krsna is explained in the Bhagavad-gita, both in the Ninth Chapter and the Seventh Chapter, that Krsna is all-pervasive in His impersonal feature. Everything is resting in Him, but He is not everywhere. In the Seventh Chapter also, He said that the five gross elements like earth, water, fire, air and sky, and the three subtle elements, namely mind, intelligence and egotism, all these eight elements are His inferior energies. Besides these eight kinds of inferior energies there is another, superior energy, which is called the living entity. The living entities are also part and parcel of Krsna directly. Therefore, Krsna is both material and effective cause of everything. He is always intermingled with everything as cause and effect.

As such, not only the gopis, but all other living entities are inseparably connected with Krsna always, at all circumstances. The difference is that the gopis, however, are perfectly and thoroughly in cognitions of this relationship, whereas the living entities under the spell of maya, or the illusory energy, are forgetful of Krsna, thinking himself as a separate identity without having any connection with Krsna.

Love of Krsna, or Krsna consciousness, is therefore perfectional stage of real knowledge of understanding things as they are. Our mind can never be vacant. The mind is constantly occupied with some kinds of thought. The subject matter of such thought cannot be outside the eight elements of Krsna's energy. One who knows this philosophical aspects of all our thoughts is actually the wise man, and he surrenders unto Sri Krsna. The gopis are the typical example of this perfectional stage of knowledge. They are not simple mental speculators, but actually they are situated in perfection of knowledge because their mind is always in Krsna. The mind is nothing but an energy of Krsna. Any person who can think, feel and will as psychic activities cannot be separated from Krsna. But the stage in which he can understand his eternal relationship with Krsna is called Krsna consciousness, and the diseased condition in which he cannot understand his eternal relationship with Krsna is called contaminated stage of maya.

Gopis being on the platform of pure transcendental knowledge, their minds are always full with Krsna consciousness. In this connection one crude example can be cited, just like the fire and the air. Whenever there is air, it is to be understood that there is fire; and whenever there is fire, it is to be understood that there is air. As there is no separation between fire and air, similarly, there is no separation between Krsna and the living entities. On the part of the living entities when there are forgetfulness of Krsna, that is not normal condition. So far the gopis are concerned, because they are always full in thought of Krsna, they are in the absolute stage of perfection in the matter of knowledge.

The so-called empiric philosophers sometimes think that the path of bhakti is meant for less intelligent class of men. But actually, unless the so-called men of knowledge comes to the platform of bhakti, his knowledge is certainly impure and imperfect. Actually, the stage of forgetfulness of our eternal relationship with Krsna is separation. That is also illusory, because actually there is no such separation. The gopis are not situated in that illusory condition of life, so even from philosophical point of view there was no separation from Krsna or the gopis.

"Nothing is separated from Me. The whole cosmic manifestation is also resting on Me and nonseparated from Me, because before the creation, I was existing." This is confirmed in the Vedic literature that before creation, there was only Narayana. There was no Brahma, no Siva: eko [vai] narayana asit na brahma na isano [Maha Upanisad 1.1].

The whole cosmic manifestation is manipulated by the three modes of material nature. So Brahma is the incarnation of the quality of passion. It is said that Brahma created this universe, but Brahma is secondary creator; the original creator is Narayana. This is also confirmed by Sahkaracarya, that narayanaḥ avyaktat paraḥ [Gita-bhasya]. Narayana is transcendental, beyond this cosmic manifestation. In this way the cosmic manifestation is also not separated from Krsna, and anything within this cosmic manifestation is nonseparated from Krsna, although Krsna is not visible formally in everything.

Krsna creates, maintains and annihilates the whole cosmic manifestation by expanding Himself in different incarnations. In this way everything is Krsna, everything is depending on Krsna, but in the material energy He is not perceived, therefore it is called maya, or illusion, whereas in the spiritual energy He is perceived in every step, in all circumstances. Such perfectional stage of understanding is represented by the gopis.

As Krsna is always aloof from this cosmic manifestation, although the cosmic manifestation is completely dependent on Him, similarly, a living entity is also completely aloof from his material conditional life, although the material body has developed on the basis of his spiritual existence. In the Bhagavad-gita the whole cosmic manifestation is accepted as the mother of the living entities, and Krsna is the father of all living entities. As the father impregnates the mother by injecting the living entity within the womb, similarly, all the living entities are injected by Krsna in the womb of the material nature, and they have come out in different bodies according to their different fruitive activities. But a living entity in all circumstances is aloof from all this material conditional life.

A concrete example: if we simply study our own body, we can understand how a living entity is always aloof from this bodily engagement. Every action in our body is taking place by the interaction of the three modes of material nature. We can see that in every moment, every day, there are so many changes are taking place in our body, but still, I, the spirit soul, is aloof from such changes. I cannot create or annihilate or interfere with such actions of the material nature. The living entity is therefore entrapped only by this material body, and he is conditioned in three stages, namely awakening, sleeping and unconsciousness.

The mind is acting through all these three conditions of life, and I am simply seer. The living entity, therefore, in his sleeping condition sees something as real, and in his awakening condition he sees the same thing as non-real. It is concluded, therefore, under certain circumstances he accepts something as real and under another circumstances he accepts the same very thing as non-real. All these things are different subject matters for the empiric philosophers called the sahkhya-yogins. As such, sahkhya-yogins arrive…, in order to arrive to the right conclusion, undergo severe austerities and penances, renouncement, controlling of the senses, pursuing the path of truthfulness, and combined together they are exactly like a great ocean insurmountable, and it is very difficult to cross over it and come to the right conclusion.

In other words, all these different paths of determining the ultimate goal of life are compared as rivers, whereas Krsna is the ocean. As the rivers are gliding down towards the ocean, similarly, all attempt for knowledge is gliding towards Krsna. After many, many births of such endeavoring one can actually come to the point of Krsna, then he attains the stage of perfection. In the Bhagavad-gita it is therefore said by the Lord that "Everyone is pursuing the path of realizing Me, but because they have adopted different courses without any bhakti, devotional service, their progressive endeavor is very troublesome." Kleso 'dhikataras tesam [Bg 12.5].

Krsna cannot be understood without coming to the point of bhakti. In the Bhagavad-gita therefore the three paths, karma-yoga, jnana-yoga and bhakti-yoga, are enunciated, namely, those who are too much addicted to the fruitive activities, they are advised to act such for realization of bhakti; those who are addicted to the frustration of empiric philosophy, they are advised to act in such way to realize bhakti. Karma-yoga is therefore different from ordinary karma, and jnana-yoga is therefore different from ordinary jnana. And ultimately, as stated by the Lord in the Bhagavad-gita, bhaktya mam abhijanati [18.55]: only through execution of devotional service one can understand Krsna.

This perfectional stage of devotional service was achieved by the gopis, because they did not care to know anything else more than Krsna. This supramental knowledge is confirmed in the Vedas as yasmin vijnate sarvam evam vijnatam bhavanti [Munḍaka Upanisad 1.3]. Means simply by knowing Krsna, all other subordinate knowledges become acquired automatically.

Krsna continued to say that "This transcendental knowledge of the Absolute is not any more a necessary thing for you, because from the very beginning of your life you are accustomed to love Me." Knowledge of the Absolute Truth is specifically required for persons who want to get liberation from the material existence. But one who has attained love for Krsna, they are already in that platform of liberation, as it is stated in the Bhagavad-gita that anyone who is engaged in devotional service of Krsna unalloyedly, such person is to be considered staying in the transcendental platform of liberation. The gopis were actually not feeling any pangs of material existence, but they were feeling the separation of Krsna. Krsna therefore said that "My dear gopis, in order to increase your superexcellent transcendental love for Me, I have purposely separated you from Me so that constantly you may be in meditation for Me."

Next paragraph.

Here is the perfectional stage of meditation also. The yogis are generally very much fond of…

[break] …devotional service to the Lord, without knowing that perfectional stage of devotion means attainment of the perfectional stage of yoga system. This sort of meditation by the gopis constantly about Krsna is confirmed in the Bhagavad-gita as the topmost position of a yogi. Krsna knew very well the psychology of the minds of women. When the beloved person of a woman is away from the sight, the woman thinks of the beloved more meditatively than the beloved being present before her. Krsna wanted to teach by the behavior of the gopis that anyone who is constantly in trance like the gopis surely attains ultimately the lotus feet of Krsna by such meditation, without any doubt.

Next paragraph.

Lord Caitanya therefore specifically taught people in general the method of vipralambha seva, means rendering service unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead in the feeling of separation. The Six Gosvamins also taught us how to worship Krsna in the feeling of the gopis by separation. In the prayers of Srinivasa Acarya for the Gosvamins these things are very clearly stated. Srinivasa Acarya says that the Gosvamins were always absorbed in the ocean of transcendental feelings by the gopis. When they lived in Vrndavana, they were always searching after Krsna, "Where You are, Krsna? Where are you are, the gopis? Where You are, Srimati Radharani?" They never said that "We have now seen Radha and Krsna, and therefore our mission is now fulfilled." They remained always in the unfulfillment of their mission to meet Radha and Krsna. In this connection Krsna reminded the gopis that some of them who could not join the rasa-lila dance with Him, they gave up their bodies simply by thinking of Krsna. Therefore, Krsna consciousness by the feelings of separation is the quickest method for attainment of the lotus feet of Krsna.

Next paragraph.

In this way, by the personal statement of Krsna, the gopis were convinced about the strength of the feelings of separation, because actually they were experiencing such supernatural method of Krsna worship, and thus they were much relieved by understanding that Krsna is not away from them; He is always with them.

By the words of Uddhava, the gopis being thus relieved, they received him very happily and began to speak as follows: "We have heard the good news that King Kamsa, who was always a source of trouble for the Yadu dynasty, is now killed. This is a good news for us. We hope, therefore, that the members of the Yadu dynasty are now very much happy in the association of Krsna, who can fulfill all desires of His devotee.

"My dear Uddhava, will you kindly let us know whether Krsna, in the midst of highly enlightened society girls of Mathura, does sometimes thinks of us? We know that the women and girls in Mathura City are not village women; they are more enlightened, they are more beautiful. Therefore their behavior with Krsna by their beautiful smiling bashful glance and other feminine feature must have been very much pleasing to Krsna. We know it very well that Krsna is always very much fond of such behavior of beautiful women. We guess, therefore, in Mathura He has thus been entrapped by such women. My dear Uddhava, would you kindly let me know if sometimes Krsna remembers about us while He is in the midst of the society of such girls and women?"

Another gopi inquired whether Krsna remembered that particular night when, in the midst of kumudini flowers and full moonlight, when Vrndavana became exceedingly beautiful, at that time Krsna was dancing with the gopis, and the atmosphere was surcharged with the sounds of foot bells both of Krsna and the gopis, and there were pleasing conversations exchanged between Him and the gopis. "Does He remember that particular night? We, the gopis, however remember that particular night, and while we remember the occasion, specifically we feel separation of Krsna and immediately become agitated, as if there is fire in the body. Does He propose to come back again in Vrndavana to extinguish this fire, just like the cloud appears in the sky to extinguish the forest fire by pouring water on it?"

Another gopi said, "Now Krsna has killed His enemy, and He has victoriously achieved the kingdom of Kamsa. He might be married with a king's daughter by this time, and He is very happy amongst His kinsmen and friends. Therefore, why shall He come here in this village of Vrndavana?"

Another gopi said that "Krsna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the husband of the goddess of fortune, and He is self-sufficient. He has no business either with us, the girls in the Vrndavana forest, nor with the city girls in the Mathura City. He is the great Supersoul. He has nothing to do with us, here or there."

Another gopi said that "It is now unreasonable hope for us to expect Krsna coming back to Vrndavana. Therefore we should try to be happy in disappointment. Even the great prostitute Pihgala said that disappointment is the greatest pleasure. All of us, we know all these things, but still it is very difficult for us to give up the expectation of Krsna's coming back here again. Who can forget the solitary conversation with Krsna, on whose breast the goddess of fortune always remains, in spite of Krsna's not desiring for her? My dear Uddhava, the lord, we may inform you that this Vrndavana is the land of river, forest, cows, vibration of the flute, and our Krsna, along with His elder brother, Sri Balarama, enjoyed this atmosphere in our company. As such, all the atmospheric condition of Vrndavana are constantly reminding us of Krsna and Balarama, and although we know that on the impression of His footprints on the land of Vrndavana is the place of residence of the goddess of fortune, still, such signs cannot help us forgetting Krsna."

In other words, the gopis expressed that Vrndavana is still full of all opulence and good fortune; there is no scarcity and want in Vrndavana so far material necessities are concerned. But still, in spite of all such opulence they could not forget Krsna and Balarama.

"We are constantly remembering various attractive features of beautiful Krsna, in the matter of His going on, His smiling, His joking words. We have all been lost by the…, such dealings of Krsna. Now it is impossible for us to forget Him. We are always praying for Him, exclaiming, 'My dear Lord, my dear husband of the goddess of fortune, my dear Lord of Vrndavana and the deliverer of distressed devotees! We are now fallen and merged into the ocean of distress. Please, therefore, come back again in Vrndavana and deliver us from this pitiable condition of life.' "

So Uddhava minutely studied the transcendental abnormal condition of the gopis on account of separation from Krsna. Therefore Krsna…, Uddhava thought it wise to repeat over and over, again and again, all the pastimes of Sri Krsna, the gopis' experience in association with Krsna. As the materialistic persons are always in a burning condition on account of the blazing fire of material miseries, similarly, the gopis were also exactly burning in some transcendental blazing fire on account of separation from Krsna. This blazing fire which was exasperating the gopis is, however, distinct from the blazing fire of the material world. The gopis wanted constantly the association of Krsna, whereas the materialistic person wants constantly the advantage of material comforts.

It is suggested by Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura that Krsna saved the cowherds boys from the blazing fire of the forest within the twinkling of eyes, simply by closing their eyes. Similarly, Uddhava also suggested the gopis to close their eyes and meditate on the activities of Krsna from the very beginning of their association with Him. And the gopis could visualize all the pastimes of Krsna with them outside from the description received from Uddhava, and inside by remembering those pastimes. By the instruction of Uddhava, the gopis could understand that Krsna was not separated from them, because as they were constantly thinking of Krsna, Krsna was also thinking of them constantly at Mathura.

So Uddhava's messages and instruction about Krsna to the gopis saved them from immediate death, and the gopis acknowledged the benediction received from Uddhava. Uddhava practically acted as the preceptor spiritual master of the gopis, and the gopis in return worshiped him exactly on the level of Krsna, as it is recommended in authoritative scriptures that the spiritual master, either initiator or preceptor, should be worshiped on the level of the Supreme Personality of Godhead on account of his being a very confidential servitor. It is accepted by great authorities that spiritual master is external manifestation of Krsna. So the gopis were relieved from their transcendental burning condition, internally realizing that Krsna is with them simply by remembering His association within their hearts, and externally Uddhava helped them in associating with Krsna by conclusive instructions.

Next paragraph.

Krsna, or the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is described in the scriptures as adhoksaja, means beyond the perception of all material senses. So although He is beyond the perception of material senses, He is at the same time present in everyone's heart; at the same time, He is present everywhere by His all-pervasive feature as Brahman. Therefore, the three kinds of transcendental features of the Absolute Truth can be realized as Bhagavan, the Personality of Godhead; as Paramatma, the localized Supersoul; and the all-pervasive Brahma, simply by studying the condition of the gopis as described in the Srimad-Bhagavatam in connection with Uddhava's meeting with the gopis.

It is said by Srinivasa Acarya that the Six Gosvamins were always merged in such thoughts of the activities of the gopis. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu has also recommended the gopis' method of worship of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is superexcellent. Srila Sukadeva Gosvami also has recommended that anyone who hears about the dealings of the gopis with Krsna from the right source and follows the instruction in right course, certainly such person will be elevated to the topmost position of devotional service and be able to give up the lust of material enjoyment.

In this way, all the gopis were solaced by the instruction of Uddhava. They requested him to stay in Vrndavana for a few days more, and Uddhava agreed to their proposal and he stayed with them not only for a few days, but for a few months, and always kept them engaged in the transcendental message of Krsna and His pastimes, so that the gopis were exactly feeling the same condition of life as they experienced directly in association with Krsna. So long Uddhava remained in Vrndavana, all the inhabitants of Vrndavana enjoyed his association simply by discussing all the activities of Krsna, and in this way their days were passed just like moments. Vrndavana's natural atmospheric condition, by the presence of the river Yamuna, nice bushes of trees, the Govardhana Hill, its nice caves, the blooming flowers, and the trees decorated with different kinds of fruits-all these things combined together helped Uddhava to narrate Krsna's pastimes [to] all the inhabitants of Vrndavana, and they enjoyed Uddhava's association exactly in the same way as they did in the association of Krsna.

Uddhava was also specifically attracted by the attitude of the gopis, how much they were attracted by Krsna, and inspired by the anxiety of the gopis for Krsna, began to offer them his respectful obeisances and composed songs in praise of their transcendental qualities, which he sung himself as follows: "Amongst all the living entities who have accepted the human form of life, the gopis are superexcellently successful in the mission of their life, because their complete thought is eternally absorbed in the lotus feet of Krsna. Both the great sages of the world and ourself are trying to be absorbed in such meditation, namely, constantly thinking of the lotus feet of Krsna. But the gopis have automatically been accustomed to this habit without any yogic practice. I therefore conclude that anyone who has attained such condition of life does not require to take birth in a brahmana family or to be initiated as a brahmana, or even to take birth as Lord Brahma."

In other words, Sri Uddhava confirmed the statement of Bhagavad-gita spoken by Lord Krsna that anyone who takes shelter unto Him in the right process, may he be a sūdra or a woman, or even born in lower grade family, such person must attain the highest goal of life. The gopis have taught, therefore, to the whole world that following the footstep of the gopis by constantly thinking of Krsna, one can attain the highest perfectional stage of spiritual perfection. These gopis are women not born of very highly cultured family. Mostly they are born of cowherds men family and considered to be rude and uncultured. Still they have developed the highest culmination of love of Krsna, who is the Supersoul, the Supreme Personality of Godhead and Supreme Brahma. From their examples it is rightly concluded that for self-realization or God realization there is no need of taking birth in high family. The only thing needed is ecstatic development of love for God, as exactly the gopis did. In achieving perfection in Krsna consciousness, therefore, nobody requires any other qualification than to be constantly engaged in the loving service of Krsna as the gopis did.

Krsna is the supreme nectarean, reservoir of all pleasure. Krsna consciousness, therefore, will act in its own way exactly in the same manner as if one drinks nectarean: knowingly or unknowingly, it will act. The active principle of Krsna consciousness will equally manifest everywhere. It does not matter how and where one has taken his birth. Anyone, therefore, who takes to Krsna consciousness, Krsna will bestow His benediction upon him, without any doubt.

The supreme benediction which the gopis attained in spite of their being born in the family of cowherds men was never attained even by the goddess of fortune herself, and what to speak of the denizens of heaven, where the bodily flavor of women is exactly like the lotus flower. The gopis are so much fortunate that during rasa-lila Krsna personally embraced them with His arms. Krsna kissed them face to face, and certainly this was impossible to be achieved by any other woman in the three worlds except the gopis. "I wish therefore to take my birth as one of the plants and creepers in Vrndavana

[break] are so fortunate that the gopis trample over their body. Lord Krsna is Mukunda Himself-He is searched after by great sages and saintly persons-has been so much lovingly accepted by the gopis, and for Krsna's sake they have left everything: their friends, their families, their children, their homes and all worldly connections."

When Uddhava appreciated the exalted position of the gopis, he thought within his mind to fall down and take the dust of their feet on his head. At the same time, he was disappointed that if he would ask the gopis to offer such dust from their feet, perhaps they would not be agreeable. He therefore desired to have his head smeared with the dust of gopis' feet without their knowledge. As such, he desired to become one of the insignificant grass or herb on the land of Vrndavana.

The idea is the gopis are so much attracted to Krsna that when they hear the vibration of the flute of Krsna, instantly they leave their home, family, children, honor, prestige, feminine bashfulness- everything-on account of Krsna, and they run towards the place where Krsna standing vibrating His flute. At that time the gopis did not consider whether they were passing through the regular way or through the jungles of Vrndavana. In that way, imperceptibly the dust of their feet was bestowed on such small grasses and herbs of Vrndavana. He therefore desired that the aspiration of having the dust of gopis' feet not being fulfilled in this life. He aspired in future to have some opportunity to get the position of the grass and the herbs, so that he would be able to have the dust of the feet of the gopis.

Uddhava appreciated the extraordinary fortune of the…, the extraordinary fortune of the gopis, because they relieved themselves from all kinds of material pangs and anxieties by placing on their beautiful high breast the lotus feet of Krsna, which is not only worshiped by the goddess of fortune but also by such exalted demigods like Brahma and Lord Siva, and which is meditated upon by great yogis within their heart. Thus Uddhava desired that he would constantly pray for being honored by the dust of the gopis' lotus feet, whose chanting of the transcendental pastimes of Lord Krsna has become celebrated all over the three worlds.

In this way, after living in Vrndavana for some days, Uddhava desired to go back to Krsna, and thus he begged permission from Nanda Maharaja and Yasoda. After this, he had farewell meeting with the gopis and, taking permission of them also, he got up on the chariot to start for Mathura.

Next paragraph.

When Uddhava got up on the chariot, all the inhabitants of Vrndavana, headed by Maharaja Nanda and Yasoda, they came to bid goodbye to Uddhava and presented him with various kinds of valuable goods as they could secure in Vrndavana. They could simply express their feelings with tears in the eyes on account of their intense attachment for Krsna. All of them desired Uddhava's good wishes that they could simply remember always the glorious activities of Krsna, their minds may be always fixed up on His lotus feet, their words may always be engaged in glorifying Krsna, and their body may always be engaged in bowing down by remembering Krsna constantly.

This prayer of the inhabitants of Vrndavana is the superexcellent type of self-realization. The methods are very simple: to fix up the mind always on the lotus feet of Krsna, to talk of Krsna always without talking of any other subject matter, and to engage the body in Krsna's service constantly. This is the verdict of all authorities that one should, specifically in this human form of life, engage his life, resources, words and intelligence, everything, for the service of the Lord. Such kind of activities only can elevate a human being to the highest level of perfection.

The inhabitants of Vrndavana continued to say that "By the will of the supreme authority we may take our birth anywhere as the result of our own work. It doesn't matter wherever we are placed, but our only prayer is that we may simply be engaged in Krsna consciousness." In other words, a pure devotee of Lord Krsna never desires to be promoted to the heavenly planets or even to the Vaikuntha or Goloka Vrndavana, because for their personal satisfaction they have no desire. A pure devotee treats both heaven and hell on the equal level. For them, without Krsna, heaven is hell and with Krsna, hell is heaven. In this way, when Uddhava sufficiently honored and worshiped by the pure devotees of Vrndavana, he returned back to Mathura to his master, Krsna.

After reaching Mathura, they offered their respect by bowing down before Lord Krsna and Balarama and began to describe the wonderful situation of devotional life of the inhabitants of Vrndavana. Then he presented all the gifts given by the inhabitants of Vrndavana to Vasudeva, father of Krsna, and Ugrasena, grandfather of Krsna.

Next paragraph.

Thus ends the Bhaktivedanta purport of the Forty-seventh Chapter Krsna in the matter of "Uddhava's Delivery of the Message to the Gopis."