The Hidden Seva of The Young Gopis

Now, the gopis offered Kṛṣṇa direct service. Kṛṣṇa played for a while there and then went back. From that day the gopīs’ hearts were broken, they could not remain peaceful. They were restless and thought, “What have we lost?” They went and thought of His svarūpa. They went and helped their mothers cook, to learn how to wash, how to dress, how to clean the room. They made a nice seat and program. Mothers asked, “Why did you arrange a seat?” “My iṣṭa is here. My worshipable master will come.” “Who is your master?” “My authority, guardian.”

They did not say anything; this is very secret and hidden. You can’t take it out. If you take it out then there is a problem. Like camphor, or scent; if you open, it will go out.

Similarly, you have relation with God, you saw a dream of God, or Guru-pāda-padma, then don’t tell anyone, otherwise this will be like simple, and cheap, and ordinary. Now, the gopīs did not tell. Kṛṣṇa came, gave darśana and ate. He sat there, danced and played, and was in a happy mood. They could not forget that svarūpa. Daily they waited for his darśana. The mothers went to Nanda-bhavana, or to bathe in the Yamunā, and the fathers went out and ploughed or cultivated the fields. Then the gopīs went to a secret place group by group; sometimes to the Yamunā, or forest and gardens. Mothers thought, “They are small babies, only playing.” But they dressed very nicely. Daily they learned how to make flower garlands and other services. They told their mother, “Don’t cook, we will cook.” “How do you know how to cook?” The mothers left and they cooked very nicely. The mothers later returned and said, “Your pakoḍās are very tasty. You made such a nice chutney, capātis, baḍā, dosā, and many other things. Who taught you all these preparations?” Śrīmatī Rādhārānī, in Varsānā, with her sakhīs and mañjarīs, did this sevā Herself. How is this possible? Śrīla Gurudeva said, “If anyone came in this temple such as young boys, they did not know anything, they never went to the kitchen. But if Gurudeva told them to go and they started, than the first day, who gave them knowledge? Gurudeva said, “No need, Mahāprabhu and the Vraja-devīs give great mercy if anyone tries.” Many western people come from foreign countries. At home they eat by buying things from restaurants and shops, and heating it in the microwave or oven. So who taught them now? This is spiritual power. But people have no idea. With that sevā learned they open hotels and restaurants for business. But they don’t know they learned everything by the causeless mercy of Kṛṣṇa and Rādhārānī. If this is used for guru-sevā and God’s service then this will be perfect. The gopīs cooked in the morning. First they woke and bathed in the Yamunā. With clean cloth they go in the kitchen and wash, clean and arrange a seat and flower decorations. The mothers were surprised, “Everyday, anywhere they go, they give a seat. For who? Who comes?” The gopīs said, “You don’t know. We see, eat and then go.” Therefore this prasāda is tasteful. If He doesn’t come, then everything is useless. When sleeping, they arranged a nice bed, with flower decorations on their right. The mothers asked, “For who are you giving this bed, flowers and incense?” They did not tell. This is very secret. While sleeping, or awake, they were always absorbed in Kṛṣṇa and engaged in His service. This is called sneha and praṇaya.

rādhā kṛṣṇa-praṇaya-vikṛtir hlādinī śaktir asmād ekātmānāv api bhuvi purā deha-bhedaṁ gatau tau caitanyākhyaṁ prakaṭam adhunā tad-dvayaṁ caikyam āptaṁ rādhā-bhāva-dyuti-suvalitaṁ naumi kṛṣṇa-svarūpam

Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Ādi-līlā 1.5

Due to this praṇaya vidyā, sneha, affection, they can’t forget Kṛṣṇa for one moment. Kavi Karṇapura Gosvāmī said, “Now, the gopīs became a little younger. Their mothers were surprised, “They are very small kids, like three, but look at them; they look like ten or eleven. They are healthy, strong, and have nice long hair.” Then their parents thought, “Now, definitely, we should arrange their marriage, otherwise it is not good. These girls are becoming young and healthy very quickly. Otherwise, people will insult and the etiquette of our dynasty will be broken.” When the gopīs heard they would be married, they began to cry and told each other, “My parents are discussing to give me in marriage. This is not possible.” All had already offered everything for Kṛṣṇa. Therefore it is said,

śyāmasundara śikhaṇḍa śekhara smera hāsa muralī-manohara rādhikā-rasika māṁ kṛpā-nidhe sva-priyā-caraṇa-kiṅkarīṁ kuru

Viṭṭhalācārya

I will be your small and small servant to servant, your kiṅkarī. The dāsī of your priyā, Rādhārānī.

They had a strong desire for this. Therefore they thought, “Where should we go? Who will we tell? My parents have become very strong; tomorrow or the day after they will give us in marriage and throw us away, then we will lose everything. This is very dangerous. “Oh, this is very painful!” What to do? They thought and suffered in worry. Today they did not worship Kṛṣṇa, they did not offer bhoga, bathe, dress, and stayed awake without being able to sleep. Their parents asked, “What is the problem? Why did you not cook? Why didn’t you bathe and dress?” They gave no answer. Why? Their parents are against; they can’t understand. Ordinary world, people, think, “My children are young; I will give them in marriage.” This is a very sweet and tasteful program. But they did not understand the hearts of the gopīs. The gopīs said, “Don’t think about us; don’t arrange our marriage.” But their parents could not hear. Why? Now the gopīs fasted for one month Also, they did not dress or bathe. They were thinking only of Kṛṣṇa in separation and became skinny and black. Like skeletons, their bodies had nothing, only like bones. They were continuously chanting mantra, therefore their life had not left. Their parents asked them their trouble, but they gave no answer. At that time they were very disturbed. Next their parents went to Bhagavatī Paurṇamāsī. She said, “Yes, I will try to help them, I will go and ask them their trouble. I will arrange a solution, don’t worry.” The Vraja-devīs had been suffering for a long time. Kṛṣṇa Himself was also suffering. For a long time the gopīs did not invite, call or worship, and gave no more love and affection; therefore Kṛṣṇa was also suffering. Tomorrow we will hear what happened next.