Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Ādi 4.217
The Gopīs Increase Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa’s Joy
“All the other gopīs help increase the joy of Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes with Rādhārāṇī. The gopīs act as the instruments of Their mutual enjoyment.”
What the purport teaches
- The other gopīs increase the joy of Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes with Rādhārāṇī. They act as instruments of Their mutual enjoyment.
- These associates of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī, the Queen of Vṛndāvana-dhāma, are expert in evoking loving sentiments in Kṛṣṇa. They form five groups: sakhīs, nitya-sakhīs, prāṇa-sakhīs, priya-sakhīs and parama-preṣṭha-sakhīs.
- The eight parama-preṣṭha-sakhīs sometimes side with Kṛṣṇa and sometimes with Rādhārāṇī. Their apparent favoring of one over the other makes the exchange of loving feelings more pleasing.
Try this today
Spend one minute reflecting on the gopīs’ service as instruments of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa’s enjoyment.
Ask yourself
What can you appreciate about the gopīs’ role in increasing Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa’s mutual joy?
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.