Author Archives: pritd

Hare Kṛṣṇa, I find the gopīs’ question and Kṛṣṇa’s response especially meaningful and worthy of summarizing. The gopis asked Krsna, “Some people reciprocate the affection only of those who are affectionate toward them, while others show affection even to those who are indifferent or inimical. And yet others will not show affection toward anyone. DearContinue reading “SB 10.32.17-22: Kṛṣṇa Answers the Gopis’ Question”

Hare Kṛṣṇa, In this lesson, a particular section stood out for me. “The śrutis attained the highest platform of desire fulfillment. Upon seeing Kṛṣṇa enjoying with the gopis, the śrutis thought, “When will we become Vraja-gopis and offer the kunkuma-tinged shawls from our breasts as seats for Kṛṣṇa?” The Brhad-Vamana Purana says the śrutis, following in the footsteps of the gopis, executed severe austerities in orderContinue reading “SB 10.32.10-16: The Gopis Inquiry About Different Types of Loving Reciprocation”

Hare Kṛṣṇa, The word “reunion” itself is deeply enchanting. It dissolves the long-accumulated pain of separation and pours soothing relief into the eyes that finally behold the beloved once more. It softens and melts the hearts that have cried in longing, transforming bitterness into sweetness and sorrow into joy. In reunion, love does not merelyContinue reading “SB 10.32.1-9 – The Reunion”

Hare Kṛṣṇa, SB 10.31.19: O dearly beloved! Your lotus feet are so soft that we place them gently on our breasts, fearing that Your feet will be hurt. Our life rests only in You. Our minds, therefore, are filled with anxiety that Your tender feet might be wounded by pebbles as You roam about onContinue reading “SB 10.31.19 – Realizations On SB 10.31.19”

Hare Kṛṣṇa, Another splendid section of the Gopī-gītā. The gopīs’ separation from Kṛṣṇa—their anguish, their glorification of Him, and their extraordinary poetic genius—seem to deepen with every verse. In this lesson, I was able to draw two striking parallels to the pastimes of Śrī Mahāprabhu. The gopis said, “O Kṛṣṇa, You exactly resemble Dhanvantari, theContinue reading “SB 10.31.10-18: Songs by the Gopīs (Gopī-gītā) – Texts 10-18”

Hare Kṛṣṇa, One of the twenty-six qualities of a devotee is that he or she is naturally poetic. We see this quality beautifully manifested in our ācāryas and ultimately in the gopīs themselves. The Gopī-gīta stands as a sublime example—an unparalleled outpouring of devotion expressed through poetry of the highest order. Every Sanskrit poetry hasContinue reading “SB 10.31.6-9: Songs by the Gopīs (Gopī-gītā) – Texts 6-9”

Hare Kṛṣṇa, The gopī-gītā are the wonderful songs sung by the gopīs overwhelmed by feelings of separation from Kṛṣṇa. My material mind thinks that separation is typically painful; it is devoid of joy and blisṣ. At times I  wonder how could the gopīs live in constant pain and misery. Even Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, during HisContinue reading “SB 10.31.1-5: Gopī-gītā, Part One (Texts 1 thru 5)”

Hare Kṛṣṇa, CC Madhya 8.160: “The essential part of love of Godhead is called mahābhāva, transcendental ecstasy, and that ecstasy is represented by Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī. CC Adi 4.69: Śrī Rādhā Ṭhākurāṇī is the embodiment of mahābhāva. She is the repository of all good qualities and the crest jewel among all the lovely consorts of LordContinue reading “CC Madhya-lila 8.151-197: Glories of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī — Part 3”

Hare Kṛṣṇa, Even though this lesson is titled ‘Glories of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī’, it describes Krsna’s glories more. Which makes sense since we must understand and appreciate Krsna’s glories fully before understanding and appreciating Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī glories. “The name Madana refers to Cupid, but Kṛṣṇa is the spiritual Madana. His body is not material like theContinue reading “CC Madhya-lila 8.135-150: Glories of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī — Part 2”

Hare Kṛṣṇa, Text 98: “Among the loving affairs of the gopīs,” Rāmānanda Rāya continued, “Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī’s love for Śrī Kṛṣṇa is topmost. Indeed, the glories of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī are highly esteemed in all revealed scriptures.” yathā rādhā priyā viṣṇos tasyāḥ kuṇḍaṁ priyaṁ tathā sarva-gopīṣu saivaikā viṣṇor atyanta-vallabhā Text 99: “ ‘Just as Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī is mostContinue reading “CC Madhya-lila 8.98-134: Glories of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī — Part 1”