109. Bhagavatha - Gopikas' Prayers, Anger, Agony and Joy

 109. Srimad Bhaghavata - Gopikas’ Prayers, Anger, Agony and Joy

The lone gopika who was left behind by Srikrishna was wailing when this set of gopikas met her. They were surprised that such a situation could happen to them if they were not alert. Their perception changed altogether.

They went deep into the forest searching for Him until the visibility of moonlight and decided to return back to the sandy banks of Kalindi river.

Prayers

They spoke, sang, and remembered all His acts. It was a complete surrender to Him.  None remembered their family, home or had a feeling of self. 

They began with Harinama japa, and later, they praised Him. They said, “Our Vraja is superior to Vaikunta as You  were born here. Mahalakshmi, too, stays with you here as she is inseparable.  

Mild Threat

Give us darshan once atleast. We are eagerly waiting to see You. Indeed we have almost lost our life and You would be the cause of it.

Desperation 

Your eyes are like the inner portion of the most beautiful lotus flower appearing in a clean lake. We want to serve You, and we don't seek anything from You.  

You have protected us in various avataras in the past.  Why not for us now? It seems you are not born to Yasoda by your inaction. There is no humbleness. You have not bothered to see our internal pain, though you are called Rishikesha. 

Brahma requested you to be a protector, but you are indifferent to us. Keep your finger on our forehead and bless us. We seek nothing else. We have left everything - our family, home, wealth - and sought your feet. Are we not residents of Vraja who are protected by you? Put an end to our sorrow. 

Wailing

Listening to your stories is like nectar, but seeing You in person is much more. We need your darshan. Thus, they began singing praise of Him in the loud pitch of their voice and started wailing.

Srikrishna's Appearance

All of a sudden, Srikrishna appeared clad in Pitambara (yellow attire), wearing Vaijayanthi garland and with a smile.  

All the gopikas stood up and, with their eyes wide open, were overjoyed. One of them clasped His lotus like hands with her joined palms, another placed His arms on her shoulder, another received in her palm hollow the betel chewed by Him, another hugged His feet with her bosom.

One of the gopika fired her anger with her looks, another saw Him and closed her eyes to lock His looks and placed it in her heart, and another never closed her eye lid and was staring at Him. 

Finally, they shed their agony caused by the separation from Him. Surrounded by them, Srikrishna shone very brightly.

Source: Bhagavatha Mahapurana