(Commentary—Rukmini Devi is saying that the Gopikâs are not interested in what happens to them in the life after. They have self-surrendered to Sri Krishna in anurâg. Although they are the inherent shaktis of the Lord, they are not bound to Him by marriage, and hence the wise extol them as ‘parakiyâ^[1] sweethearts’. Sri Krishna is the Chief of all connoisseurs of ras. He wishes to relish an inconceivably sweet prem-ras; therefore He has made His ‘ânandini shaktis’—blissful potencies (the Gopis)—feel that they have an extra-marital relationship with Him. He has used Yogamâyâ to make this happen. The women of decent families are extremely sad if they have to waver from the path of righteousness and away from their dear ones. Rather they would gladly welcome death by entering the fire or by drinking poison. Under no circumstance they can give up chastity, for they feel it is extremely shameful to do so. Extreme love forces the Vrajadevis to cross the boundaries of Vedic injunctions, societal norms and obstacles of every type, and serve Sri Krishna. This only proves the zenith of their Sri Krishna-prem.

Rasik-shekhar^[2] Sri Krishna relishes their parakiyâ-bhâv in a tremendously extraordinary manner. His relish is so unique and He never gets such ras in anything else. This is why Rukmini Devi has said that, the Gopis are so overwhelmed by love that they serve Sri Krishna in a very confidential manner. It is very difficult for the queens to serve Him likewise. Henece the Queens and other devotees too should meditate upon the Gopikâs’ bhâv and sevâ.

In Brijdhâm, the anurâg is so astounding that both lovers have got bound by the mighty cords of deep love—day after day—how many different types of love-sports they have enjoyed—in so many different ways! Such sweet love-dalliance is beyond the imagination of the queens. Sometimes in the deep dark night, Sri Krishna has stealthily tip-toed—His heart palpitating in fear—and reached the courtyard of Sri Râdhikâ. There He has hidden in a lonely dark spot, and given peculiar calls. Then Srimati Râdhârâni has slowly risen from her bed, silently so as not to wake up Her in-laws, unbolted the door and have united with Her Beloved. Then She has tightly embraced and kissed Him. At other times, when the elders succeed in obstructing Them, the Gopis have to call-off the meeting and they are engulfed in deep sorrow. They cry in viraha; Their hearts are shrouded by pitch black disappointment. We find that Sri Krishna has secretly reached the sanket-kunja on the banks of the Yamunâ, and is thirstily awaiting the arrival of His sweetheart. He has prepareda bed of soft leaves and flowers for Her and is gazing lovingly at her path. The dry leaves murmur and He starts up thinking His beloved has arrived. On the other hand, the Gopis too visit the banks of the Yamuna under the pretext of bringing water, and meet Him in the sanket-kunja to make Him happy. Often in the evenings, Sri Krishna’s mesmerizing flute commands the gopis to come to Him. Its mellifluous notes drives them crazy and they cross all barricades posed by the parents and relatives, and unite with Him. The Gopis meet Sri Krishna in Vrindâban and give Him the pleasure of relishing the wonderful ras of the râs-leelâ. It is verily impossible for the queens who are His married wives, to give Him such remarkable sweet relish. This is why Rukmini Devi is saying, “We cannot possibly feel jealous of the Gopis.”

The ancient authors of ras-science do not accept that relation with a ‘parodhâ^[3]’ can be ras-full. However this holds good only in the case of wordly lovers, and not in the case of the lotus-eyed Vraja-beauties, since they are Sri Krishna’s inherent shaktis, and not different from Him. Sri Krishna is God Himself and is the source of all incarnations. He is also rasik-shekhar. To relish condensed ras, He has ordered Yogmâyâ to make His inherent potencies, the Gopis, to feel that they are ‘parodhâ’ (belong to some other husband). This has made them set aside the considerations of dharma and adharma. Their anurâg has reached such a height that they have set aside all concerns for what will happen to them in this life and the next. Their love is devoid of all ‘upâdhis’ or contaminations. As a result, this ‘parakiyâ’ (extra-marital) bhâv is unadulterated and inconceivable. Srimad-Bhâgavatam says that, Sri Uddhav Mahâshai is the crest-jewel of all sâdhus. When he saw the height of prem the Vraja-beauties had for Sri Krishna, he exclaimed in joy, “The Vraja-beauties have denigrated the honorable path of the Aryans, which is impossible to forsake! Ohh! Without any doubt, it’d the best way to achieve Sri Krishna and even the Shrutis are searching for this path (but failing to arrive at it).” If the Shrutis are searching for this path, then it has to be supremely blissful and eternally spiritual. Thus it is clear that the parakiyâ-bhâv offers unlimited and variegated relish of erotic ras. It is eternal, and the topmost achievable goal for any living being . )

(contd……………….)