Conversations with Sri Swamiji – 20

Gopis – The epitome of devotion

We all read Srimad Bhagavatham and each one of us enjoy it in our own way. Some like the Kunti Stuti, some like the Bheeshma Stuti, some the Rasa Panchaadhyaayi and so on. However the others may relish the Bhagavatha, the sloka that I cherish the most and hold close to my heart is this –
Vande NandaVrajaStreenaam Paadarenum Abheekshnashah |
Yaasaam HariKathodgeetham Punaathi BhuvanaThrayam || (10 skanda, chp 47 of Bhagavatam),
which means “ I salute again and again the dust from the feet of the Gopis of Vraja, whose melodious singing of the Lord’s praises purifies all the three worlds!”

Sri Swamiji was speaking with great emotion…

“Let me tell you how great the Gopis are! Uddhava was the friend, devotee, disciple, minister and the loving servant of Lord Krishna. His entire being was engaged in pleasing Krishna. Krishna, being overwhelmed with his loving services, wanted to confer a great blessing upon Uddhava and desired that it must be the best in the world. What would Krishna consider as the best in this world? Undoubtedly it was Prema Bhakti and not fame or riches. Prema Bhakti is the highest and finest form of devotion and Krishna wanted to bless Uddhava with that. Krishna could not give that right away for He did not have it!!! Krishna had to send Uddhava to those who had it in plenty and they were the Gopis of Brindaavan. The above favourite sloka of Sri Swamiji is the one that Uddhava declares in Brindaavan after being overwhelmed on experiencing the extreme love of the Gopis for Krishna, their Lord.

This is the reason why Krishna always keeps Radha, the eminent among Gopis, by His side. Whenever He is extremely pleased with a certain soul and wishes to bless that soul with Prema Bhakti, Krishna, being unable to do that Himself, asks Radha to bestow devotion upon that Jiva!

Indeed! Beautiful words they were, from Sri Swamiji’s lips!