Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Ādi 4.167-169
The Gopīs Serve for Kṛṣṇa’s Enjoyment
“Social customs, scriptural injunctions, bodily demands, fruitive action, shyness, patience, bodily pleasures, self-gratification and the path of varṇāśrama-dharma, which is difficult to give up — the gopīs have forsaken all these, as well as their own relatives and their punishment and scolding, for the sake of serving Lord Kṛṣṇa. They render loving service to Him for the sake of His enjoyment.”
What the purport teaches
- For the sake of serving Lord Kṛṣṇa, the gopīs have forsaken social customs, scriptural injunctions, fruitive action and the difficult-to-give-up path of varṇāśrama-dharma.
- They have also forsaken bodily demands, shyness, patience, bodily pleasures and self-gratification, as well as their own relatives and their punishment and scolding.
- They render loving service to Lord Kṛṣṇa for the sake of His enjoyment.
Try this today
In one small act of service today, set aside the wish for personal enjoyment and focus on pleasing Lord Kṛṣṇa.
Ask yourself
What does the gopīs’ purpose in serving reveal about their love?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport; the practice and question are plain words for trying the verse today.