Category Archives: Blogs

Hare Kṛṣṇa, The description of the Rāsa dance becomes progressively more esoteric, confidential, and intimate—so much so that it feels technically beyond my present ability to fully grasp its essence. Nevertheless, the following are some key aspects of this lesson that especially stood out to me: The gopis had only one desire – to pleaseContinue reading “SB 10.33.7-16: Description of The Rāsa Dance”

Hare Kṛṣṇa, It is good to have a proper definition of the rāsa dance as given by Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura. “When the actions of singing, dancing, kissing and embracing combine together they produce rāsa. Amusement composed of rāsa is called rāsa-krīḍām or the rāsa dance. Joyfully entwining their arms together, Kṛṣṇa played with those gopis, the jewels among women, who were now favorably disposed (anuvrataiḥ).” (SB 10.33.2:Continue reading “SB 10.31.1-6:  Kṛṣṇa gave the rāsa-līlā the independence to initiate the action”

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”