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Plate 134

The Reunion

Wihasmileon Hib locusfac. Lorl Kamasudenily apeared behorechnegopis. Wiaringagirland and a yellow garment, He looked as if He could bewilder the mind of Cupid, who himself

bewilders the minds of ordinary people.

When the gopīs saw that their dearmost Kṛṣṇa had returned to them, they all rose simultaneously, and out of their affection for Him their eyes bloomed wide. It was as if the air of life had re-entered their bodies.

One gopī joyfully took Kṛṣṇa's hand between her folded palms, another placed His arm, anointed with sandalwood paste, on her shoulder, and yet another respectfully took in her joined hands the betel nut He had chewed. One gopī, beside herself with loving anger, bit her lips and stared at Him with frowning eyebrows, as if to wound Him with her harsh glances. Another gopī looked with unblinking eyes upon Kṛṣṇa's lotus face, but even after deeply relishing its sweetness, she did not feel satiated, just as mystic saints are never satiated when meditating upon the Lord's feet.

One gopī took the Lord through the aperture of her eyes and placed Him within her heart. Then, with her eyes closed and her bodily hairs standing on end, she continuously embraced Him within. Thus immersed in transcendental ecstasy, she resembled a yogi meditating on the Lord.

All the gopīs enjoyed the greatest festivity when they saw their beloved Kṛṣṇa again. They gave up the distress of separation, just as people in general forget their misery when they gain the association of a spiritually enlightened person.

Encircled by the gopīs, who were now relieved of all distress, Lord Kṛṣṇa shone forth splendidly, like the Supersoul encircled by His spiritual potencies.

Painting by MURALĪDHARA DĀSA (1985)

The Reunion