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Plate 129

Kṛṣṇa and the Gopīs Meet for the Rāsa Dance

o their previous births, during Lord Rāmacandra's advent, some of the gopīs who gathcred for the rāsa dance were Vedic scholars who desired the association of Lord Rāmacandra in conjugal love. He gave them the benediction that they would be present for the advent of Lord Kṛṣṇa and that He would fulfill their desires. During Kṛṣṇa's advent, the Vedic scholars took birth in the shape of gopīs in Vṛndāvana. As young gopīs, they got the association of Kṛṣṇa in fulfillment of their previous births' desire. The ultimate goal of their perfect desire was attained, and they were so joyous that they had nothing further to desire.

When the gopīs had Kṛṣṇa in their company, all their grief caused by His absence was relieved. Fully satisfied in His company, they spread their fine linen cloths on the ground for Him to sit on. Kṛṣṇa was their life and soul, and they carefully arranged a very comfortable seat for him.

Sitting on the seat among the gopīs, Kṛṣṇa became even more beautiful. Great yogis like Lord Śiva, Lord Brahmā, and Lord Seṣa always try to fix their attention upon Kṛṣṇa in their hearts, but here the gopīs actually saw Krsnaseated before them on their cloths. In the society of the gopīs, Kṛṣṇa looked very beautiful. They were the most beautiful damsels within the three worlds, and they assembled around Kṛṣṇa.

Painting by RĀMADĀSA-ABHIRĀMA DĀSA (1986)

Kṛṣṇa and the Gopīs Meet for the Rāsa Dance