following in footsteps of

Such a mode of transcendental love is not possible for any common man. Therefore, one should not imitate the highest perfectional stage of the loving attitude exhibited by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. But, if somebody desires to be in that association, they may follow in the footsteps of the Gopis. In the Padma Purana it is stated that, as Radharani is dear to Krishna, similarly the Kunda, known as Radhakunda, is also very dear to Krishna. Radharani is the only selected Gopi who is dearer to Krishna than all the other Gopis. In the Srimad Bhagwatam, Tenth Canto, 30th Chapter [10.30.28], it is also stated that Radharani and the Gopis render the highest perfectional loving service to the Lord, and that the Lord is so pleased with them that He does not wish to go anywhere else to leave the company of Srimati Radharani.    (More...)

The sages who are known in the Upanishads and in Sruti also desire the post of the Gopis, and they also follow in the footsteps of the Gopis in order to achieve that highest goal of life. This is confirmed in the Srimad Bhagwatam, Tenth Canto, 86th Chapter [10.87.23], as follows: The sages practice Pranayam, a trance, by controlling the breathing process and the mind and the senses, by the mystic Yoga practice. And thus try to enter into the Supreme Brahman, or be merged into the Supreme. The same thing is also obtained by persons who, atheist by Nature, fight the principle of the existence of God; if they are killed by an incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, they also achieve the same result, or merging into the Brahman existence of the Supreme Lord. But the damsels of Vrindaban worship Sri Krishna, being bitten by Him as a person is bitten by a snake, because Krishna's body is compared with the body of a snake. The snake's body never goes straight but it always curling, and as Krishna stands always in three-curved postures, He is compared to the snake. This snake, Krishna, had bitten the Gopis with transcendental love, and they were in a better position than all the mystic Yogis or the persons who desired to merge into the Supreme Brahman. Therefore, the sages of Dundakarannya also follow in the footsteps of the damsels of Vraja, in order to achieve a similar position. By a simple execution of the regular principles one cannot achieve that position; not unless and until one is seriously following the principles of the Gopis. This is confirmed in the Srimad Bhagwatam, Tenth Canto, 9th Chapter [10.9.21], by a verse in which it is stated that Lord Sri Krishna, the Son of Srimati Yasoda, is not so easily available to persons following the principles of mental speculation. But He is very easily available for all kinds of living beings who follow the path of devotional service.    (More...)

There are many pseudo devotional parties claiming to belong to Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's sect. Such pseudo devotional parties in the sect of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, dress themselves up artificially as the damsels of Vraja. This sort of dressing is not approved by advanced spiritualists or advanced students of devotional service. Such dressing of the outward material body is another foolishness of the concept of the body being the soul. They are mistaken in considering that the spiritual body of Krishna and Radharani and their associates, the damsels of Vraja, are of material Nature. One should know perfectly that all such manifestations are expansions of eternal bliss and knowledge in the transcendental world. They have nothing to do with this material body. Therefore, the body, the dress, the decoration, and the activities of the damsels of Vrindaban do not belong to this material cosmic manifestation. Such damsels of Vrindaban are not subject matter for the attraction of persons who are in the material world. They are the transcendental attraction for the All-Attractive. Krishna is All-Attractive-therefore His name is "Krishna." But the damsels of Vrajabhumi, Vrindaban, are attractive even to Krishna. Therefore, they are not anything of this material world.    (More...)

This mood of emotional pursuit of the Gopis is called Siddhadeha. Siddhadeha means the pure spiritual body which is beyond the senses, mind, and intelligence. Siddhadeha is the purified soul; and is just suitable for serving the Supreme Lord. No one can serve the Supreme Lord as His associate without being situated in that perfectly pure spiritual identity. That identity is completely free from all material contamination. It is stated in the Bhagavad Gita that a person materially contaminated transmigrates to another material body by material consciousness. At the time of death he thinks in that way, and therefore is transferred to another material body. Similarly, when one is situated in his pure spiritual identity, and thinks of spiritual loving service rendered to the Supreme Lord, he is transferred into the Spiritual Kingdom, to enter into the association of Krishna. In other words, to think of Krishna and His associates in the spiritual identity is the qualification for transference to the Spriritual Kingdom.    (More...)

No one can contemplate or think of the activities of the Spiritual Kingdom without being situated in pure spiritual identity. That pure spiritual identity is called Siddhadeha. Ramananda Roy therefore expressed himself to the effect that, without attending to that Siddhadeha, no one can become an associate of the damsels, or render service directly to the Personality of Godhead, Krishna, and His eternal consort, Radharani. He quoted, in this connection, a nice verse from the Srimad Bhagwatam, Tenth Canto, 47th Chapter [10.47.60], in which is stated the following: "Neither the Goddess of Fortune, Lakshmi, nor even the damsels of the Heavenly Kingdom could attain the facilities of the damsels of Vrajabhumi-and what to speak of others?"    (More...)