Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Antya 18.91
Lotus Leaves Help Cover the Gopīs
“The lotus stems were friends of the gopīs and therefore helped them by offering them lotus leaves. The lotuses pushed their large, round leaves over the surface of the water with their hands, the waves of the Yamunā, to cover the gopīs’ bodies. Some gopīs undid their hair and kept it in front of them as dresses to cover the lower portions of their bodies and used their hands as bodices to cover their breasts.
What the purport teaches
- The lotus stems are described as friends of the gopīs, offering leaves to help cover them.
- The waves of the Yamunā act as the lotuses’ hands, pushing large, round leaves over the water.
- Some gopīs loosened their hair to cover their lower bodies and used their hands to cover their breasts.
Try this today
Find and reread the words that describe the lotuses helping the gopīs.
Ask yourself
How does describing the lotus stems as friends shape your understanding of this scene?
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.