Krishnabhakti of the Gopis

 

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We have seen earlier the story of Sukeshi who went to the ashram of the sages in the Magadh forest and learnt many Dharmic concepts. (https://bharatiyastories.blogspot.com/2024/02/pious-asuras-and-worried-gods). Amongst the many things he learnt from the sages, he also got the knowledge of the ten basic principles of Dharma that is common to all people irrespective of their occupation (varnas). We had already covered a few of these Dharmas through relevant stories. Please see the links below.

Dasha Dharma

1.         Dhṛti – Patience (https://bharatiyastories.blogspot.com/2024/02/dashdharma-patience-shabari.html; https://bharatiyastories.blogspot.com/2024/02/dash-dharma-patience.html)

2.         Kṣhamā – Forgiveness (https://bharatiyastories.blogspot.com/2024/03/dashadharma-story-of-kaakasura-from.htmll)

3.         Damo - Calmness

4.         Asteyaṃ - Not coveting/ stealing (https://bharatiyastories.blogspot.com/2024/05/story-of-tumburu-viradha.html)

 

5.         Saucam – Cleanliness (https://bharatiyastories.blogspot.com/2024/04/dashadharma-story-of-shitala-ma.html)

6.         Indriya nigraha – Control of senses (https://bharatiyastories.blogspot.com/2024/04/narada-understands-power-of-maya.html)

7.         Dhīr – Righteous Action (https://bharatiyastories.blogspot.com/2024/03/dashadharama-kacha-and-devayani.html)

8.         Vidya – Pursuit of knowledge

9.         Satyam – Truthfulness (https://bharatiyastories.blogspot.com/2024/03/harishchandra-test-and-triumph.html.)

10.       Akrodho – Control of anger

daśakaṃ dharmalakṣaṇam।।

Story on Vidya – Pursuit of Knowledge

Krishnabhakthi of the Gopis

Krishna came to Mathura and killed his uncle Kamsa son of King Ugrasena. After that he went to a Vedapaatashaala for his studies. When he came back, Ugrasena decided to hand over the kingdom of Mathura to Krishna. Krishna got busy with the duties of a king and kingdom. But after the day’s work, every evening he used to be sitting alone in the palace gardens and shedding tears.

 

Uddhava, his cousin (father’s brother’s son) and friend noticed that the sadness. He asked Krishna why he was looking sad. Krishna replied “I really miss Brajbhumi and the people, the nature and the cows there. No palace, rich clothes and wealth can equal the love and affection of the Gopis. ”Uddhava was surprised at Krishna talking like this. He said “Krishna, you are no longer a child in Brajbhumi. You need to elevate everyone to a higher level.”

 

Krishna continued to look despondent and sad. Unable to bear this, Uddhava finally offered to go Brajbhumi on his behalf. Krishna told him “Uddhava, you go and teach the Gopis vedantic concept of bhakti. Tell them I will visit them once I am done with my duties as a king ” He asked “Krishna, the Gopis and the people of Brajbhumi are not educated. How will they understand Vedanta?”. Krishna smiled and said “If you cannot do it, no one can do it Uddhava.” Uddhava took the chariot and went to Brajbhumi. While leaving Krishna put his pitambaram and vyejayantimala on Uddhava. When the chariot reached Brajbhumi, Uddhava saw a fertile and sattvik (peaceful) place with green grass, cows grazing and men, women and children going about their work. Seeing the clothes and the garland, all the Gopis came running. When they saw that it was not Krishna they were very disappointed. They were still courteous and showed the way to Nanda and Yashoda house. Uddhava went to the childhood home of Krishna.

 

Nanda and Yashoda came running to welcome Krishna. Seeing it was not Krishna, Nanda fainted. Yashoda was disappointed but still was courteous to the visitor and offered refreshments. She apologised that her husband was not able to pay his respects. She said “I am still imagining Krishna as a child and relive every moment when I used to bathe him, feed him and put him to sleep. Nanda is still seeing the child sitting on his lap. That is why he fainted.” Uddhava’s gamand (pride) in his Vedantic knowledge was already half gone.

 

Uddhava was moved. He wanted to look around Brajbhumi. He told Yashoda that he was going for a bath in the Yamuna. On the way to the Yamuna, he heard the Gopis talking “We thought the visitor was Krishna. Alas, it was not him but his cousin.” Another Gopi replied “We are seeing Krishna in the leaves, trees, cows, grass and waves. This Gopi put her child in the rope thinking it was a pot and sent him inside the well, thinking of Krishna. Thank God, Krishna jumped inside the well and brought the child back.”.

 

Another Gopi replied, “Yes. We are trying to forget Krishna but he is always here and everywhere. I came to the village well yesterday to draw water. It was dark and lonely. I was scared to go back and suddenly Krishna is smiling from the tree with his flute. He jumped down and came home with me.” Each of the Gopis were sharing similar experiences. Uddhava was shocked. He realized that he had come there to lecture them on the formless Brahmam (divine) while this whole village and group are seeing the Brahmam everywhere and in everything. He was ashamed of his arrogance and realized that Krishna had sent him to Brajbhumi for a reason. He understood that Krishna wanted him to learn the lesson of bhakti rather than sending him to teach the lesson of Vedanta to the Brajwasis.

 

Uddhava decided to use this opportunity to understand the bhakti of Gopis better. So he went to the foremost devotee, Radhika. Radhika was sick with love and waiting for Krishna. It was evident that she had not eaten and slept for many days. She looked at Uddhava and said “Where is my Krishna? He is in my heart and mind. I see him everywhere but he is not coming near me. I am unable to sleep or eat. Please tell him to visit us soon and put us out of our misery.”

 

Uddhava had tears in his eyes and was truly humbled. He realized he was looking for knowledge in books while the uneducated Gopis where living and comtemplating the divine in every walk of their life. He fell at Radhika’s feet and requested her to initiate him in the path of Premlakshana Krishna bhakti. Radhika was kind enough to help him understand the selfless and the all permeating love of the Gopis towards their Krishna.

Uddhava who had come for a few days, stayed at Brajbhumi for six months. When he went back to Mathura, Krishna smiled and asked “Uddhava, my firend. You’re back. Have you instilled the knowledge of the formless divine and Vedanta to the uneducated Gopis?”. Uddhava ashamed and contrite, fell at Krishna’s feet sobbing. “Krishna, forgive me. I thought knowledge was in books and scriptures. I did not understand that if I am devoted and humble, every person can teach me. I am truly more enriched due to this trip to Brajbhumi. The Gopis wanted you remember them and visit them.”

 

Krishna looked at Uddhava kindly and said “Yes Uddhava. Books are only one source of knowledge. A seeker gets knowledge from everything and everyone. I am happy you met the Gopis and Radhika. I will definitely visit them soon. But how can I remember them when I have never forgotten them? They remember me every second of their day and their thoughts keep dragging me back to them.”

 

Uddhava then understood why the Gopis and the people of Brahbhumi were so dear to Krishna. They resided in his heart forever.