Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.32.16
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesThe Gopīs Ask About Reciprocating Love
“The gopīs said: Some people reciprocate the affection only of those who are affectionate toward them, while others show affection even to those who are indifferent or inimical. And yet others will not show affection toward anyone. Dear Kṛṣṇa, please properly explain this matter to us.”
What the purport teaches
- The gopīs describe people who return affection only when affection is shown to them. They also describe those who love even the indifferent or inimical, and those who show affection to no one.
- Through this apparently polite question, they want to expose what they see as Kṛṣṇa’s failure to reciprocate their love properly.
- They were deeply disturbed when He left them in the forest. They ask Him to explain why He caused them suffering in their loving relationship.
Try this today
Read the gopīs’ question slowly, then name one expectation of reciprocation that you notice in yourself.
Ask yourself
Which of the patterns of affection described here do you recognize in yourself?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
From Canto 10, chapter 14 onward, the translation and purports were completed by Śrīla Prabhupāda's disciples after his departure, and published by the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust.