Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Madhya 8.224
Following the Gopīs Brings Loving Intimacy
“ ‘Great sages conquer the mind and senses by practicing the mystic yoga system and controlling the breath. Thus engaging in mystic yoga, they see the Supersoul within their hearts and ultimately enter into impersonal Brahman. But even the enemies of the Supreme Personality of Godhead attain that position simply by thinking of the Supreme Lord. However, the damsels of Vraja, the gopīs, being attracted by the beauty of Kṛṣṇa, simply wanted to embrace Him and His arms, which are like serpents. Thus the gopīs ultimately tasted the nectar of the lotus feet of the Lord. Similarly, we Upaniṣads can also taste the nectar of His lotus feet by following in the footsteps of the gopīs.’”
What the purport teaches
- The śrutis, the personified Vedas, describe sages who control the mind, senses and breath, see the Supersoul, and ultimately enter impersonal Brahman. Even the Lord’s enemies attain that position by thinking of Him.
- The gopīs were attracted by Kṛṣṇa’s beauty and desired to embrace Him. They tasted the nectar of His lotus feet.
- The personified Upaniṣads declare that they too can taste this nectar by following in the footsteps of the gopīs.
Try this today
Spend a moment today reflecting on the gopīs’ loving attraction to Kṛṣṇa as described here.
Ask yourself
What distinction does this passage draw between entering impersonal Brahman and tasting the nectar of Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet?
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.