From the point of view of tattva, The Vrajabeauties are Sri Krishna’s own potency. Hence they are His wives. Yet Sri Krishna’s aghatan–ghatan–patiyasi¹ Yogmâyâ made them eternally feel parakiyâ.² Actually they never got married to any other cowherd man. Yogmâyâ simply made them feel this as if in a dream, to strengthen their parakiyâ belief. A parakiyâ sweetheart faces many obstacles to meet her lover. She has to meet Him secretly without the knowledge of her friends and relatives. Sometimes she succeeds in her endeavor and at other times does not. Due to this she has to shroud her erotic desires and uniting with her lover is an extremely rare phenomenon. This lends immense color and charm to their love-affair. Therefore Yogmâyâ has made the gopis feel a sense of parakiyâ.

There is another reason for this. When our goal is fraught with impediments, our longing increases. We feel strong agitation. Also we feel it is priceless. Then when we get the object of our desire, we relish it maximum – Just like one enjoys the taste of water when one is dying of thirst. The reverse is also true – if we are not thirsty, even if we get water it is useless. Thus relish is directly proportional to desire. Stronger the desire, more the pleasure. The Vraja gopis constantly feel new undaunted desires to serve Sri Krishna. These cravings surge in their ocean like hearts akin to gurgling waves! When a river reaches the sea, we see that the tides are stronger. The Vraja gopis are very close to Shyaam-saagar³, hence they experience remarkable high tide (bliss of meeting) and low tide (the pang of viraha) in their hearts. This results in variegated love-sports and ever new leelâs.

The Gopis suffer viraha from Sri Krishna as if each moment is like millions of yugas, similarly when they meet Him; even one Brahma–raatri⁴ passes in a trice. Their eyes are like chakors that survive by drinking the immensely sweet nectarine beauty (like moonbeams) radiating from the moon like face of Shyaam-chaand⁵. They insult the creator for making eyelids.

“Not only did the creator give us millions of eyes, he gave us only two – and that too he covered with eyelids! The creator only knows to perform dry austerity and is a big fool! He has no inkling of ras and does not know the art of creation at all. Imagine giving only two eyes to one who will behold Krishna’s face! He is the creator, yet he is so unjust! If he accepts my suggestion and give me one crore eyes then I will consider him a worthy creator.” – (C.C.>C.Madhya.21.112-113)

Only the Gopis who are rich with mahâbhâv can possess such precious sentiments. Such great love-longing can arise only out of parakiyâ bhâv. This is why they relish Sri Krishna’s sweetness to the greatest degree.

The highest specialty of Gopi-prem is ‘lack of a desire for sense-gratification’. They feel blessed simply to serve Sri Krishna. They never ever think of their own happiness. If they wish to make love to Sri Krishna it is only to please Him. Only a Gopi can make statements such as –

“I do not consider my own sorrow and I only desire His happiness for I am happy if He is happy. If He feels joy in making me suffer then that sorrow is the greatest joy for me.” – (C.C.Antya.20.43)

“kaanta-sebaa sukhapur, sangam hoite sumadhur⁶” – this is a statement made by a Vraja-damsel. A desire for sense gratification never arises in a Gopikâs heart. They are lost in finding out new means to serve Sri Krishna every time. No lover has been able to sacrifice their own dreams to make their beloved happy like the Gopis have done.

“The Gopi never considers her own happiness and sorrow. All her endeavors are directed towards making Sri Krishna joyous. She forsakes all for Him and offers pure deep love to make Him blissful.” – (C.C.Aadi.4.174-175)

We may question – “In the beginning of Râs-leelâ Sripâd Shukamuni has mentioned that the Gopis clean and decorate themselves – limpantyahpramrijantyo’nyaa anjantyah kaashcha lochane – (S.B.10.29.7 ) – then can we say that the Gopis do dot desire sense gratification?” The reply is –

“When we see the Gopis dressing up nicely, know for sure, it is to please Sri Krishna. A Gopi feels -I have surrendered this body to Him and now it is His property for Him to enjoy. He will touch it and feel happy, so she keeps it clean and adorns it.” – (C.C.4.181-183)

Now we have another doubt. Since the Gopikâs do not aim for happiness, they will be bereft of joy; yet the scriptures state that happiness is the only goal for any living being. Whatever a living entity does, it is ultimately to gain pleasure, is it not? Then what is the use of such colossal Gopi-prem? Since it does not culminate in joy?

¹ One who is expert in making the impossible possible.

² An extra-marital relationship.

³ Shyaam – Sri Krishna; Saagar = sea. Shyaam-saagar = Sri Krishna Who is like the blue sea.

⁴ 72 chatur-yugas (a cycle of four yugas).

⁵ The moon-like Sri Krishna.

⁶ “Serving my Beloved is extremely joyous and is much sweeter than love-making.”