Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.82.39
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesLoving Absorption Draws Kṛṣṇa’s Response
“Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: While gazing at their beloved Kṛṣṇa, the young gopīs used to condemn the creator of their eyelids, [which would momentarily block their vision of Him]. Now, seeing Kṛṣṇa again after such a long separation, with their eyes they took Him into their hearts, and there they embraced Him to their full satisfaction. In this way they became totally absorbed in ecstatic meditation on Him, although those who constantly practice mystic yoga find such absorption difficult to achieve.”
What the purport teaches
- The gopīs longed so intensely to see Kṛṣṇa that even blinking felt like an interruption. After their long separation, they took Him into their hearts through their eyes.
- By mentally embracing Him, they became overwhelmed with joy and forgot themselves. Their loving absorption surpassed what even great yogīs could achieve through constant meditation.
- Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is present in everyone’s heart. Knowing the gopīs’ ecstasy, He reciprocated their embraces from within.
Try this today
Spend one quiet minute remembering Kṛṣṇa in your heart and expressing your desire to serve Him.
Ask yourself
How does Kṛṣṇa’s response to the gopīs encourage me to approach Him through loving devotion?
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.