Hare Kṛṣṇa,
The main lesson I learned from the gopis’ attitude is how to remember Krishna even in separation.
As the gopīs’ mood of separation from Śrī Kṛṣṇa becomes ever more intense, His names, forms, qualities and pastimes begin spontaneously manifesting in their hearts. Thus they join together and sing as follows: “When Mukunda vibrates the flute He has placed to His lips, stopping its holes with His tender fingers, He rests His left cheek on His left arm and makes His eyebrows dance. At that time the demigoddesses traveling in the sky with their husbands, the Siddhas, become amazed. As those ladies listen, they are embarrassed to find their minds yielding to the pursuit of lusty desires, and in their distress they are unaware that the belts of their garments are loosening.” (SB 10.35.2-3)
The gopīs state that the sound of Kṛṣṇa’s flute causes even inanimate objects like rivers to become conscious and then stunned in ecstasy. Just as the gopīs could not always be in Kṛṣṇa’s physical association, the rivers could not come to the Lord’s lotus feet. Although they desired the Lord, their movement was checked by ecstasy, and their “arms,” their waves, trembled with love of Godhead. (SB 10.35.6-7 Purport)
The key essence we learn from the gopis’ attitude is their intense eagerness to see Krishna and their deep absorption in remembering Him in separation. In a way, this reminds me of a statement Krishna made to the wives of the brahmanas in Chapter 23.
“For you to remain in My bodily association would certainly not please people in this world, nor would it be the best way for you to increase your love for Me. Rather, you should fix your minds on Me, and very soon you will achieve Me.
It is by hearing about Me, seeing My Deity form, meditating upon Me and chanting My names and glories that love for Me develops, not by physical proximity. Therefore please go back to your homes.” (SB 10.23.32-33)
According to the purport to the above verses, it means that “the brāhmaṇa ladies’ own devotion and love would increase most efficiently in separation. In other words, it would be best all around if they continued to fix their minds on Lord Kṛṣṇa and thus went on with the process they had been practicing throughout their lives. The Lord and His bona fide representative, the spiritual master, expertly engage the Lord’s devotees in different types of service so that all of them can quickly return to His lotus feet.”
“Thus the example of the gopīs is very instructive to persons who are trying to be absorbed in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. One can very easily associate with Kṛṣṇa simply by remembering His transcendental pastimes. Everyone has a tendency to love someone. That Kṛṣṇa should be the object of love is the central point of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. By constantly chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra and remembering the transcendental pastimes of Kṛṣṇa, one can be fully in Kṛṣṇa consciousness and thus make his life sublime and fruitful.” (Texts 22-26: Kṛṣṇa Book)
Such descriptions of Kṛṣṇa’s transcendental pastimes and activities were remembered by the gopīs during His absence from Vṛndāvana. They give us some idea of Kṛṣṇa’s attraction. Everyone and everything is attracted to Kṛṣṇa—that is the perfect description of Kṛṣṇa’s attraction.
“Actual love is possible with Krishna. That is actual love. Once you love Krishna, it cannot be broken at any time. It cannot be broken, any, any circumstances. So therefore somehow or other we have to… Yena tena prakāreṇa manaḥ kṛṣṇe niveśayet (Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu 1.2.4). Somehow or other you just engage yourself in loving Krishna. That is the success of life.” (Srila Prabhupada Lecture, Stockholm, September 10, 1973)
All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda!