Gopika Gita

Sri Krishna Suddenly Appears and Consoles the Gopis

The Gopis began thus to sing loudly and extol the glories of Krishna. They longed to see their beloved Krishna. They wept bitterly and poured forth their lamentations in
notes of true music. Thereupon, Sri Krishna appeared in their midst wearing yellow garments and garland of wild flowers, with a smiling and lotus-like countenance capable of attracting the heart of even the God of love.

The moment the Gopis saw Him return, they all stood up with their eyes wide open with joy, just as the limbs revive and do their functions at the return of life.

One of the Gopis in great joy caught hold of the lotus-like hand of Lord Krishna with both her palms and began to rub it gently. Another Gopi placed on her shoulder Sri
Krishna’s arm smeared with sandal paste. A third placed His lotus feet on her bosom which had been aching on account of roaming on hard ground.

Another Gopi drank with the cup of her winkless eyes the nectar of the lotus-like face of Sri Krishna, but she was not satisfied, just as pious people are not satisfied with
serving His feet. Another took the Lord through the gate of her eyes into the very cavity of her heart, closed the eyes and remained like a Yogin merged in bliss during
meditation.

All the Gopis became very happy. They abandoned all sorrow that had been produced by their separation from Him, just as people who are desirous of attaining the final
emancipation overcome all mundane affliction, by attaining Self-realisation.

Surrounded by those Gopis whose cause of grief had then been removed, the glorious Achyuta appeared highly beautiful like the Prime Purusha environed by His Saktis or
powers like wisdom, strength, Aisvarya, Sri, etc.

Krishna then, in company of those Gopis, repaired to the sandy bank of the Yamuna that swarmed with bees, attracted by the sweet odour of the full-blown Kunda flowers.
The darkness of the night had long been removed by the silvery rays of the autumnal moon. The place became exceedingly delightful. The banks of the river were covered
with delicate shining sands that seemed to be levelled by the hand-like waves of the Yamuna.

The agony of heart of the Gopis was removed by the joy produced at the sight of Sri Krishna, which made them attain the end of their desires like the Srutis that lead to
realisation and leave nothing to be wished for. They spread out their veils smeared with saffron dust, from their bodies and made a seat for their beloved Sri Krishna.

Thereafter the Almighty Lord who is enthroned in the inmost heart of great Yogis, sat upon those veils. He appeared exceedingly beautiful when He sat in the midst of the
assembly of Gopis. He was worshipped by them. Then He assumed a form which seemed to combine in it all the beauty of the three worlds.

They welcomed Sri Krishna with enchanting smiles and playful glances which had excited love in their heart and placed His hands and feet on their lap. They praised Him and spoke as if somewhat offended.

The Gopis said: “Some people are attached to those who are devoted to them. Others are attached to persons who are not devoted to them; again there are people who are
attached neither to those who are devoted to them, nor to those who are not devoted to them. O Krishna! Please explain to us the reason for this clearly.”

The Lord said: “O friends! Those who love only when they are loved are actuated by a selfish motive. They are prompted by their own selfish interests. There is neither
friendship nor virtue in this. It is all for a selfish end. In truth they are not really attached to one another, but are attached to their own selves and to their own interests. Their only motive is gratification of self and nothing else.

“Those who are attached to persons who are not devoted to them are like parents, full of kindness and affection. Their conduct is governed both by righteousness and
goodwill. They are of two kinds, viz., those who are kind, and those who are affectionate. Of these the former by their attachment reap great religious merit, while the latter secure unshaken friendship.

“Then there is a third class of people who are not attached to persons devoted to them. Then how could they be expected to love those who do not seek them at all. These are of four classes. 1. Those who find delight only in Atman and know nothing of the external world. 2. Those who have obtained the objects of their desires. 3. Those who are ungrateful. 4. Those who injure their well-wishers.

“O friends! I do not belong to any of these classes. I do not attach Myself to those who are devoted to Me. This does not mean that I do not love them. I do so in order to
intensify their devotion, to draw their heart all the more to Me, so that in their hearts they may be fully absorbed in Me. Then they will not care for anything else. They will
devote themselves constantly to Me and remember Me. Just as a penniless man, who accidentally attains some wealth and subsequently loses it, solely thinks of that
money only and thinks of nothing else, so also I become the object of constant thinking of the devotees when I hide Myself again and again after meeting him.

“Even though I am granted the duration of life enjoyed by the celestials, yet I shall never be able to return the excellent services done to Me by you all, Your relation with Me is absolutely pure and faultless. O beloved Gopis! For My sake you have completely cut asunder the very hard ties of family life. I shall remain a debtor to you for all time. Let your own goodness be the only recompense for your devotion. May your own righteousness bring its fullest reward!” .