Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Madhya 9.123
Following the Gopīs to Kṛṣṇa’s Lotus Feet
“ ‘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
- Great sages control the mind, senses and breath through mystic yoga, see the Supersoul within their hearts, and ultimately enter impersonal Brahman. Even the Lord’s enemies attain that position simply by thinking of Him.
- The gopīs were attracted by Kṛṣṇa’s beauty and wanted to embrace Him and His serpentlike arms. They ultimately tasted the nectar of His lotus feet.
- The Upaniṣads declare that they too can taste the nectar of His lotus feet by following in the footsteps of the gopīs.
Try this today
Reread the words spoken by the Upaniṣads and write one sentence about whom they seek to follow.
Ask yourself
What stands out to me about the gopīs’ attraction to Kṛṣṇa compared with the other approaches described?
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.