Love Your Guru Mahanidhi

Swami #RealGuru #LoveGuru

#BlessingsOfGuru 

A human being is very, very fortunate if he has taken diksha or initiation from a genuine wisdom teacher or illuminator, commonly known as guru. Nowadays, however, when people hear the word “guru”, they immediately think, “O some cheater, charlatan or debauchee in the disguise of a “holy man”. This negative attitude toward the “guru” is due the influence of Kali, and the many exposures of extremely debased and degraded characters claiming to be the Absolute or representatives of the same. On his own, a seeker on the path of enlightenment will face many obstacles and challenges created by his karmic inheritance, the environment, and other living entities. The opposition to self-realization appears before one in many forms i.e. lust, anger, greed, illusion, envy, pride, fear, lamentation, desire, mental distraction, violence, sleep, and the three modes of nature (ignorance, passion and goodness).Alone—how will one ever conquer all these seemingly invincible foes? The secret is the power and blessings of a real guru. And thankfully, the sincere can find a proper qualified guru with the help of the sacred scriptures. The definition, symptoms and qualities of the true guru, along with his powers and activities have been extensively described in the Vedas, Puranas and Upanisads. One must read these and then choose the right guru based on intelligent discrimination according to the dictates of scriptures. Regarding the obstacles, in the Srimad Bhagavatam (7.15.22-15), Sri Narada Muni suggests different means to conquer the problems we mentioned above, and here’s the list. 1. Lust: DETERMINATION not to enjoy, asankalpaj jayet kamam.2. Anger: RENOUNCE desire, krodham kama vivarjanat.3. Greed: CONSIDERATION the trouble wealth brings, artha anartha ikshaya lobham.4. Fear: TRUTH and be established in it, bhayam tattva avamarshana.5. Lamentation & Illusion: METAPHYSICAL KNOWLEDGE, anvikshikya shoka moha.6. Pride: SERVICE to great devotee, dambham mahad upasaya.7. Mental Distraction: SILENCE, yoga antarayan maunena.8. Violence: RENOUNCE desire to enjoy, himsam kama adi anihaya.9. Suffering from others: COMPASSION express it to other living entities, krpaya bhutajam duhkham.10. Suffering from environment: CONCENTRATION on God, daivam jahyat samadhina
11. Suffering from own body & mind: YOGA asana & pranayama, atmajam yoga viryena.12. Sleep: GOODNESS, cultivate it along with light eating, nidram sattva nishevaya.13. Passion & Ignorance: GOODNESS must be cultivated, rajas tamash ca sattvena.14. Goodness: TRANSCENDENCE of all modes by full detachment, sattvam ca pashamena.Although Narada Muni mercifully mentions the means to overcome the impediments, the means themselves are also very difficult to execute. However, to show even more mercy to us, Narada Muni shows one way to conquer every single obstacle. He says, “All these obstacles are quickly and easily conquered by guru bhakti or devotion to the wisdom teacher, etat sarvam gurau bhaktya, purusho hy anjasa jayet!”Just see the incredible power and blessings of the true Guru! All these supremely insurmountable problems can be “easily” defeated by love, bhakti. They say love conquers all. But in this case, it is love for Sri Guru (guru bhakti) which enables one to transcend all material difficulties and attain the spiritual realm. Guru bhakti means fondly remembering Sri Guru, imbibing his spiritual teachings and following them, serving him, and trying one’s best to be a perfect disciple and a perfect devotee of Sri Krishna. So if one is fortunate to have a real guru in his life, he should always remain thankful and grateful, loyal, surrendered and above all always “Love Your Guru”!Samasti Gurus ki jai! Sri Guru ki jai! Srila Prabhupada ki jai! Jai Jai Sri Radhe! 

Wearing Radha Kunda Tilaka

Mahanidhi Swami 

#Tilaka    #RadhaKundaTilaka

Often devotees ask, “Is it okay to wear Radha Kunda tilaka?” The bhava and purpose behind all actions is the most important element in all movements on the bhakti marga. So let’s take a closer look at these points and discover the answer to this question. 

Our Gaudiya Vaisnava raskika poets and acharyas state that Srimati Radharani is very pleased to see and likes all things that are dark blue or black in color beginning with Her Priyatama Shyamasundara. 

Because the dark blue or black color reminds Sri Radha of Her darling sweet heart Sri Krishna, Kishori jeu also likes black deer, kajjala, blue sapphire bangles and necklaces, nilambari saris, sakhis named Shyamala, monsoon clouds, Amavasya, the ratri deep night, the shimmering blue Yamuna river, the dark forest, and so on.  

Every Hindu knows why every murti of Sri Hanumanji, the great monkey of Lord Rama, is covered head to toe in red/orange sindur. Bhagavan Ramachandraji once commented that He felt very happy to see the sindur in Sita Thakurani’s hairpart (simanta). 

Hearing this and wanting to please His Lord Rama, the innocent bhakta Hanuman went out and covered his entire body in red sindur. When Hanuman returned, Lord Rama was very surprised and amused at Hanuman’s unusual appearance. Thus henceforth, all Hanuman murtis are colored sindur red/orange. 

So this is the same devotional principle behind wearing Radha Kunda tilaka; it pleases Radharani, reminds Her of Shyama, and thus attracts Radhika’s compassion and mercy upon the wearer of black tilaka. 

Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was the first Gaudiya to wear Radha Kunda tilaka. Srila Krishnadasa Kaviraja explains, “Mahaprabhu marked His body with tilaka made from the mud of Radha Kunda, collected some of the mud and took it with Him”, kundera mrttika lana tilaka karila, mrttika sange kari laila (Cc. 2.18.14).

Now let’s hear what the founder acharya of Iskcon says about wearing Radha Kunda tilaka. Thirty-nine years ago, Srila Prabhupada said, “There is no harm in wearing Radha Kunda tilaka.” (BBT Folio 760816rc.bom)

So the conclusion is that Radha Kunda tilaka is worn by those devotees who desire to gain the favor of and to please  Radharani. It is especially used by those rare souls on the path of raganuga bhakti hankering to serve within Radha’s inner circle of sakhis. 

Radha Kunda tilaka ki jai!   
Syama-kunda    Radha Kunda ki jai!
Jai Jai Sri Radhe! 

One's tongue moves

One's tongue moves according to the fixation of his mind. Always think of Krishna, then you can't help but speak of your beloved Lord.

Yes! Live and Bathe in Radha Kunda!

Mahanidhi Swami 

Two questions confound many devotees: 
1) Can we live in Radha Kunda?
2) Can we bathe in Radha Kunda? 

As there are many men and many minds, there are many different viewpoints and answers regarding these questions. So how to establish the final word, the correct answer, and the proper path of action? 

An Iskcon publication titled Prabhupada Lilamrta vol.6, quotes Srila Prabhupada saying: “My books will be the lawbooks for the next 10,000 years. Whatever I have to say, I have spoken in my books.” Thus to answer these two questions, it makes sense that we should consult the lawbooks, accept their conclusions, and then follow the laws laid down therein. 

In his “lawbooks”, Srila Prabhupada beautifully and perfectly answers these questions with very reassuring and inspiring words. Please carefully read these excerpts from the lawbooks, and then “do the needful” as Srila Prabhupada used to say. 

1) Can we live in Radha Kunda?
In the translation to the lawbook titled, Nectar of Instruction v. 10, Srila Prabhupada said, “Indeed, those who execute devotional service on the banks of Radha Kunda are the most fortunate people in the universe.” 

Concluding his purport to this verse, Srila Prabhupada said, “Therefore everyone interested in Krishna consciousness should ultimately take shelter of Radha Kunda and execute devotional service there throughout one's life.”  

Further, Srila Prabhupada said, “Living entities who are eager to return home to Goloka Vrindavana, by means of attaining their siddha-dehas, should live at Radha Kunda.” 

2) Can we bathe in Radha Kunda? 
Now let’s hear what the lawbooks say about bathing in the prema-giving, supremely sanctifying, transcendental nectar water of Sri Radha Kunda. 

In his purport to v. 11 of Nectar of Instruction, Srila Prabhupada glorifies this powerfully purifying practice of bhakti saying: “It is stated that a devotee will at once develop pure love of Krishna in the wake of the gopis if he once takes a bath in Radha Kunda. Srila Rupa Goswami recommends that even if one cannot live permanently on the banks of Radha Kunda, he should at least take a BATH IN RADHA KUNDA AS MANY TIMES AS POSSIBLE. This is a most important item in the execution of devotional service.” 

“If, by great fortune, one gets an opportunity to come to Radha Kunda and bathe even once, he can develop his transcendental love for Krishna, exactly as the gopis did. ONE SHOULD BATHE IN RADHA KUNDA REGULARLY and give up all material conceptions, taking shelter of Sri Radha and Her assistant gopis.”

Conclusion: Srila Prabhupada gives so much hope, support and encouragement in his concluding words regarding living and bathing in Radha Kunda. 

Srila Prabhupada said, “After giving up the body he will return back to Godhead to serve Sri Radha in the same way as he contemplated during his life on the banks of Radha Kunda. The conclusion is that TO LIVE ON THE BANKS OF RADHA KUNDA AND TO BATHE THERE daily constitute the highest perfection of bhakti.” (NOI 11) Srila Prabhupada ki jai ho!

Let the truth ring loud, clear and forever in the hearts of the sincere seekers of love divine. 

Shyama-kunda ki jai! Radha Kunda ki jai! Giri Govardhana ki jai! 
Jai Jai Sri Radhe!  

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Update on Tulasi Neckbeads

Mahanidhi Swami

In Hari Bhakti Vilasa, Srila Sanatana Goswamipada presents this prayer to speak while offering your new tulasi neckbeads to Thakuraji before wearing them:

“O Tulasi kanthi! You are made of tulasi wood and you are very dear to the Vaisnavas. Now I will wear you around my neck, so please make me dear to Bhagavan Sri Krishna.” 

Srila Sanatana Goswamipada gives a wonderful explanation of the word mala, which means necklace as in tulasi kanthi mala. He says the word “MA” means “to me,” and the word “LA” means “to give”. Thus the word mala means, “O tulasi kanthi, the beloved of Hari! Please offer me to Krishna’s devotees! 

The Gaudiya padakarta mahajana, Sri Lochana Dasa Thakura, says, “Condemned and abominable persons who never wear tulasi neckbeads will reside in hell. (tulasira hara, na pare je chara, jamalaye basa tara [“Nitai Gaura Nama bhajan]

Tulasi Kanthi ki jai!

Tulasi Maharani ki jai!
Jai Jai Sri Radhe! 

The High Birth of a Goswami

Mahanidhi Swami 

#CasteGoswamiGurus #GoswamiBirth #HereditaryGurus #KarmaAndRebirth

Why is one person born the son of a Russian business man, and another born the son of an Indian brahmana? Why is one poor, illiterate and unattractive, while another is rich, educated and beautiful? In a key verse of Bhagavad-gita (13.22), Bhagavan Sri Krishna answers this important and sometimes perplexing question: “A living entity takes birth in a good or bad body due to his previous life’s association with the three qualities of material nature (sattva-raja-tama), karanam guna sango sya, sad as asad yoni janmasu. The same point is made in the Bible: “The seeds you planted, give the fruit you will eat.” Not only human beings, but every living entity from Sri Brahmaji down to the ant gets his material body due his past good or bad deeds, karma.Srila Prabhupada comments: “One’s bodily luster and beauty, one’s constitution, one’s activities and one’s qualities all depend on the law of cause and effect. One takes birth in a good or bad family according to his previous association with the qualities of material nature.” (Cc. 3.1.92 p.)Having established the truth about the cause of one’s birth, we will now describe the fortune available to one taking birth in a brahmana family. Over the years, I have read and heard various negative statements about professional gurus, caste goswamis, and family gurus such as the direct descendants of Sri Nityananda Prabhu and Sri Advaita Prabhu. Of course, sometimes deviations from standard behavior norms or a lack of genuine spiritual credentials may be seen in those posing as “hereditary gurus” or “adhikari gurus”, claiming spiritual authority only on the basis of being a brahmana. Nevertheless, exceptions are not the rule. As Sri Krishna has proven above in the Gita that a brahmana birth is a reward for one’s previous life of sattvic association and spiritual practices. Thus one should judge each person individually and not as a class. In Vrindavana, the term “Goswami” generally refers to a brahmana, especially one born in the family of Thakuraji sevaits, which means the brahmana servants or the pujaris of the Deities of major temples i.e. Radha Ramana, Radha Damodara, Radha Govindaji and Sri Bankebihari. These most fortunate and elevated brahmanas are called,
“Radha Ramana Goswamis” or “Bankebihari Goswamis” for example.Then there are the brahmanas born in the family lineages of Sri Nityananda Prabhu or Sri Advaita Prabhu for example, who are called “Vamsha Acharyas” when they initiate as spiritual masters. Most of these brahmanas are perfectly qualified gurus who offer puja to Thakuraji, teach shastras, deliver spiritual discourses, and give diksha in India and around the world. Many foreigners are being especially blessed and benefited by associating with these transcendental brahmanas who are so kindly and lovingly traversing this troubled planet.  In Gita (6.42), Sri Krishna says, “If a yogi does not attain spiritual perfection even after doing sadhana for a long time, then he will take birth in a family of the spiritually wise, kule bhavati dhimatam. Such a birth is very, very rare, durlabhataram janma!”  Here Bhagavan Sri Krishna Himself is stating how special and rare it is to be born in a brahmana family. The following explanation by Srila Prabhupada perfectly describes the wonderful qualities and most fortunate position of the genuine brahmana acharyas, goswamis and family gurus. Srila Prabhupada said, “Birth in a family of those with great wisdom is praised herein [by Sri Krishna Bg. 6.43], because the child born in such a family receives a spiritual impetus from the very beginning of his life. It is especially the case in the acharya or gosvami families. Such families are very learned and devoted by tradition and training, and thus they become spiritual masters. “In India there are many such acharya families. By the grace of Lord Sri Krishna, there are still families that foster transcendentalists [spiritual leaders or gurus] generation after generation. It is certainly very fortunate to take birth in such families.” (Bg. 6.42 SP pur.) This is a most amazing and positive illumination on the truth about the position of Goswami and Family Gurus. May Srila Prabhupada’s perfect teachings henceforward remove all misconceptions and prejudices concerning this topic. 

Sri Guru ki jai! 

Jai Jai Sri Radhe!  

Srila Prabhupada Said

 
Mahanidhi Swami 

In the following conversation with his disciples, Srila Prabhupada gives some amazing teachings regarding three important topics relevant to many devotees today. May Srila Prabhupada’s sacred words serve to inspire those who are interested in deepening their understanding and practice of bhakti bhajana.

1) Sthayi-rati (One’s eternal relationship with Sri Krishna) 
Disciple: “Srila Prabhupada. One of the main ideas in their [group of disciples pursuing raganuga-bhakti in 1976] philosophy is that the living entity can desire to have any relationship he wants with Krishna.”

Prabhupada: “That's all right, he can desire.”

2) Raga Marga & Mahaprabhu 
Disciple: These devotees prefer to read about all the ecstatic symptoms on Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s body.”

Prabhupada: “That's all right. Be first of all bona fide. That is good ambition.” [“bona fide” means steady in principles and fixed in devotional service].

3) Reading Krishna Lila
Disciple: “Some of your disciples want to read all about Krishna’s pastimes.”

Prabhupada: “Then let them read. The books are there for reading. By reading, you become purified.” (BBT Folio  760607mw.la )

Mahaprabhu Radha-Krishna lila ki jai!   

Srila Prabhupada ki jai! 
Jai Jai Sri Radhe! 

See All Stree as Gopi

Mahanidhi Swami 

#SeeWomen #Gopis #TranscendentalVision

Forty-three years ago during Karttika in Vrindavana, Srila Prabhupada presented a most amazing conception. It was November 11, 1972 in the Radha Damodara Mandira. Srila Prabhupada sat facing North between Srila Rupa Goswamipada’s samadhi and bhajan kutir. 

At that auspicious time and place, Srila Prabhupada presented to his disciples the vision of a transcendentalist. It was how he wanted his disciples to see reality. In his conception, Srila Prabhupada sees all women as belonging to Krishna. They are Krishna’s energies; and moreover they are gopis! All women are to be enjoyed by Krishna and served by others. 

Adopting this transcendental vision will free one from illusion, create inner peace and purity and push one forward to perfection.  May you all deeply ponder Srila Prabhupada’s holy words, which are still reverberating within the sanctified grounds of Seva Kunja.

On that chilly morning of November 11, 1972, Srila Prabhupada said, “There may be thousands of beautiful women before a devotee, but that does not disturb his mind. 
He sees:
*They are all energies of Krishna. 
*They are gopis of Krishna. 
*They are enjoyable by Krishna. 
*I have to serve them. They are gopis. 

A devotee should try to engage all beautiful women in the service of Krishna. That is his duty. Not to enjoy them. That is sense gratification. This is the position of a devotee. He is not pierced by the arrows of Cupid, but he sees everything in relationship with Krishna, nirbandhe Krishna sambandhe yukta vairagyam ucyate. (BBT Folio: 721111ND.VRN)

Srila Prabhupada ki jai!   Jai Jai Sri Radhe! 

Radha Kunda Midnight Snana

Mahanidhi Swami

Thousands bathe in Radha-kunda at  midnight on Bahulastami.
But should Gaudiyas bathe at midnight?

There is no pramana in Gaudiya sastra prescribing midnight snana. Sri Rupa Goswamipada in Mathura Mahatmyam (verse 439, 441) and Sri Sanatama  Goswamipada in Hari Bhakti Vilasa(16.207, 210) both quote the Padma Purana, Karttika mahatmyam which says, anyone who BATHES ON THE DAY of Bahulastami in Radha-kunda becomes very dear to Hari, karttike bahulastamyam, tatra snatva haripriya.

In Bhagavad Gita (16.23), Sri Krsna says that perfection comes when one acts according to sastra pramana
.
So my dear friends, please consider this scriptural evidence and ‘do the needful’ as Srila Prabhupada always directed us to do.

Sri Karttik Bahulastami ki Jai!
Radha-kunda snana ki Jai!
Jai Jai Sri Radhe!

Krishna Steals Gopis’ Garments

Mahanidhi Swami

#StealingGopisGarments #KatyayaniVrata #MargashirshaMonth

In this month (November-December), Sri Krishna stole the clothes of the Vraja kumaris and adopted the mood of their husband to fulfill the purpose of their month long Katyayani Vrata. Of the twelve months in a year, this month represents Bhagavan Sri Krishna as Krishna says in Gita (10.35), “Among all months, I am the month of November-December, mrgashirsha aham.” 

The story of the gopis complete surrender to Bhagavan, and Sri Krishna’s playful loving reciprocation is narrated in Tenth Canto chapter 22 (Gopi Vastra Harana) of the Srimad Bhagavatam. For your divine pleasure and meditation during japa, we offer you the following description of this pastime taken from Ananda Vrindavana Campu (ch. 12) by Kavi Karnapura:

One day in Vrindavana, the intense hope of Dhanya-sakhi and the other attractive Vraja kumaris to attain Krishna as their husband blossomed like a flower on the desire tree of their hearts. To fulfill their desires, the unmarried damsels decided to worship Katyayani Devi, a form of Yogamaya who connects devotees with Sri Krishna. 

With great enthusiasm they collected all the articles to execute the Katyayani vrata. The transcendental bodies of the gopis displayed a distinct type of beauty while they underwent the hardship of the vrata. The Vrajavasis, astonished at the intensity of the gopis penance and emaciated conditions, all felt pity for them. 

Every day before sunrise, the young ladies would meet together, lovingly embrace each other, exchange cordial words and proceed to the Yamuna while loudly singing about the qualities of Hari. Their melodious voices, rich in rhythm and precise intonations, blended harmoniously with the soft notes of their vinas. A sweet smell emanated from their mouths as the gopis engaged in kirtana.

Upon arriving at the Yamuna, the impatient Vraja kumaris immediately threw off their woolen shawls. The blissful bodies of the gopis, covered by thin white cotton bathing outfits, looked more beautiful than a stream of falling snow. The gopis shivered and softly sighed due to the chilly morning air. The quivering of their leaf bud-like lips revealed the splendor of their pearly white teeth.

Reacting to the biting cold, the gopis made a comic scene by slapping their arms and crossing their legs in various novel postures. The gopis smiled gently and giggled upon noticing their friends feeling the same way.

The Vraja kumaris climbed down the bank, and slowly entered the Yamuna while ignoring the cold. After completing their baths, the gopis joyfully ran back up the riverbank. They felt elated over courageously tolerating the painful cold winter waters of Yamunaji.

After bathing and drying their creeper-like bodies, the gopis looked even more beautiful as they filled their lotus mouths with the sweet names of Krishna. Then the kumarikas made a murti of goddess Katyayani and together performed the puja. 

They offered handfuls of flowers, padyam, arghyam, acamana, madhuparka, aromatic massage oils, camphor scented water, a costly sari, ointments of aguru and musk, incense made from Krishna aguru, khus and guggul, ghee lamps, naivedyam of milk, butter, rock candy, bananas, coconut, mung dal, malpoa, sweet rice, cooked grains, and little tasty cakes topped with powered rock candy.

While offering the various items to Katyayani, the gopis prayed, “O Devi, please help us meet our beloved Krishna! Please arrange for us to bathe in the nectar of Krishna’s association.” 

They also chanted the following mantra with clear pronunciation and full feelings: 
katyayani maha-maye, maha-yogin yadhishvari, 
nanda-gopa-sutam devi, patim me kuru te namah 
“O goddess Katyayani! O Mahamaya (i.e. Yogamaya)! O greatest of mystic yoginis and mighty controller of all! Please make the son of Nanda Maharaja our husband. We offer our obeisance unto you.”

Each gopi chanted the mantra while mentally expressing their individual desires i.e. “O Mahesvari! Please shower your mercy upon us; You are called Yogamaya, the internal spiritual potency of Maha-Visnu, who possesses all energies. So you have the power to do the impossible; O Devi! You are the pinnacle of all auspiciousness. Your orders and glories are sitting like a swan on the heads of all the devatas. You are expert in worshiping Krishna and you are the supreme Vaishnavi; You perfectly understand the minds of all living entities. So please fulfill our desire to achieve Krishna as our husband.”

Throughout the days and nights of the entire month of Margashirsha, the Vraja kumarikas performed their Katyayani Vrata with unswerving zeal. Their throats always sung about Krishna’s qualities. As the days passed, the gopis offered more items and increased the standard of worship. Katyayani-devi was pleased with their immaculate offerings and regular worship. The all-auspicious Katyayani Maa fulfills desires, and bestows mercy and happiness upon those qualified with a pure heart. 

Reciprocating with the young damsels of Vrajabhumi, Devi appeared within their minds saying, “O auspicious girls! You are the embodiments of Krishna’s conjugal attraction. Your sincere prayers ornament your heart and indicate your sincere longing for Krishna. Very soon you will attain the association of Krishna according to your individual tastes.” After communicating this, Katyayani disappeared from their hearts.

Anticipating the forthcoming success of their austerities, the gopis succumbed to a playful mood and stood up excitedly. Then following the local customs, they bathed naked in the Yamuna. Elated and enthused, the gopis joyfully pushed and squeezed each other.

The prema of the young gopis reached perfection because it had the desire to give bliss to Krishna as its only goal. Knowing this, Govinda left the happiness of herding the cows and playing with His intimate friends. Taking a few toddlers with Him, Krishna went to perform pastimes with the gopis in order make the bud of their heart’s prema blossom into a flower.

Sri Krishna is an unfathomable reservoir of steadiness and all other good qualities, yet He often displays a unique type of fickleness. Crouching down and casting a few furtive glances and a mischievous smile, Krishna adopted the mood of a thief and arrogantly snatched the gopis’ garments from the bank of the Yamuna. 

After hushing up His little friends, Krishna slung the gopis’ clothes over His shoulder and quickly climbed to the top of a kadamba tree. Sitting on a branch, Krishna glanced toward the gopis and listened to their chatter.

Upon coming out of the Yamuna and not seeing their clothes, the gopis exclaimed with surprise, “Who stole our clothes?” While arguing over the various possibilities, they looked fearfully here and there with their wide blue eyes that resembled the petals of a blue lotus.

Seeing their plight, Vrajendrakumara assumed a splendid aura of beauty as He sat on the kadamba tree. Then Vidagdha Krishna joked with the gopis in a sweet, clear voice soaked in a nectar unknown even to celestials. “I have stolen your sparkling pure garments just to enchant your minds and relish some pleasurable pastimes. Now you can come here one by one or all together to collect your clothes.”

The Vraja kanyas, with gleaming teeth and bashful faces, stood silently without yielding to Krishna’s demand. They were thinking that Krishna might not keep His promise to return their clothes. So they deliberately refused to answer for a long time, or even look toward the kadamba tree. Finally giving up their shyness, they gopis spoke in such a way to show their disgust with Krishna’s naughty behavior. 

At that time, the sweet dancing of their lotus eyes and the darting movements of their eyebrows captivated all directions. Through their affectionate solicitations and entreaties, that appeared both witty and respectful at the same time, the innocent gopis showed their shyness with their smiling faces sending waves of sweetness in all directions.

Mustering her courage, one gopi said, “O Krishna! Are You not the respectable son of the great king of Vrindavana who instructs everyone in proper behavior? Are You not the all-attractive ocean of good qualities full of waves of compassion? Are You not the personified bliss of Vrindavana, illuminating the eyes of everyone with Your effulgent limbs? Are You not learned in all sastras and weapons? Therefore, why are suddenly performing such an unjust and abominable act?”

Another gopi spoke up, “Why did You steal our splendid garments? Is this Your idea of fun? It will not bring You any good; but rather it will make You infamous. Now just follow the path of honor, play fair and return our clothes.”
Sri Krishna, touched by their humble entreaties, said, “When I said come and take your beautiful clothes, I was not telling a lie.”

The young unmarried girls were intensely eager to attain Krishna. Thus they felt they could no longer ignore the harsh demands of this rarely achieved person. However, inside themselves the gopis waged a war with the forces of shyness trying to hold them back, and the forces of desire pushing them forward. 

The gopis could not move forward because the power of their moral character equaled that of their strong attraction to Krishna. Though saturated with Krishna prema, modesty subdued their ecstatic bliss. Glancing restlessly here and there from the corners of their eyes, the gopis came to the Yamuna’s bank with great difficulty. Due to shyness, they hid behind each other while trying to cover themselves from Krishna’s curious gaze.

Then Krishna said, “O sakhis! Why are you afraid of Me? Now stand in a straight line, come before Me, and exhibit your splendid beauty. If you do what I say, then easily you will get your clothes.”

The Vraja kumaris attentively listened to Krishna’s pleasing words. Overcome with feelings of love, respect and hesitation, each gopi slowly moved toward their beloved. While observing their state of embarrassment, Krishna relished the purity of the gopis’ prema. With their draped over His shoulder, Krishna smiled as He drank the nectar of their sweet loving faces.

The gopis lost all their apprehension after hearing Krishna’s clever and pleasing words. Thus overwhelmed with prema, the kumaris slowly rose out of the water to reveal the stunning beauty and unique elegance of their beautiful divine bodies.  Casting aside their shyness, the gopis stood humbly before Krishna with their heads hanging down. As Krishna’s prema-filled heart melted, a nectarean smile perfumed His lips.

At that tender time, Sri Krishna said, “O Vraja abalas! You have greatly pleased Me, and I feel the utmost limit of love for you. Now take your clothes and dress yourselves. May you drown in the ocean of ecstasy according to your individual tastes of love.”

While saying this, Krishna extended His hand to give each gopi her respective clothes. Holding their shimmering dresses in their hands, the gopis appeared very beautiful like clusters of golden lotuses bedecked with flags. 

Then Vrajendrakumara compassionately addressed the gopis, “I know everything about your vrata and austerities. So I have performed this astonishing pastime just to increase your love for Me. By ordering you harshly, I tested the purity of your love. Being completely attracted and attached to Me, however, you submissively obeyed My beneficial orders. Thus I have manifested a permanent bond of love within your hearts.”

Accepting the words of their dearest beloved Krishna as truth, the gopis experienced both immeasurable joy and agitation due to their intense longing for Krishna. These thoughtful girls were beautified with the sweet fragrance of the vine of fickleness. Now that their vrata was finished, the gopis felt surcharged with love and incredible bliss. 

Krishna concluded, “O gopis! Soon we will enjoy together during a festive night. You have attained eternal perfection, so now you can return to Vrindavana.”
Sri Krishna’s gopi vastra harana lila ki jai! 
Margashirsha mas Sri Katyayani vrata ki jai! 
Jai Jai Sri Radhe!