Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Madhya 8.230
Follow the Gopīs in Spontaneous Service
“Unless one follows in the footsteps of the gopīs, he cannot attain the service of the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa, the son of Nanda Mahārāja. If one is overcome by knowledge of the Lord’s opulence, he cannot attain the Lord’s lotus feet, even though he is engaged in devotional service.
What the purport teaches
- Vidhi-mārga is worship through regulative principles according to the śāstra and the spiritual master. Through this process one can worship Lakṣmī-Nārāyaṇa.
- The dealings of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa with the gopīs are devoid of the opulences of Lakṣmī-Nārāyaṇa. Their worship is through spontaneous service, following in the footsteps of the gopīs.
- Those attracted by the conjugal love of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa must follow the gopīs to enter Their direct service in Goloka Vṛndāvana. Absorption in the Lord’s opulence does not grant this elevated position.
Try this today
Reread the passage and write one sentence describing the path to direct service of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa.
Ask yourself
What distinction does this teaching make between worship in opulence and following the gopīs?
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.