Sage Suka’s narration of Krishna avatar in the Bhagavata Purana has captured the hearts of countless jivatmas and continues to inspire many to pursue the path of bhakti as a means to salvation. Bhakti is translated as Krishna Trishna in the one pointed yearning for Krishna that the Gopis evince. Uddhava who is himself a great Krishna devotee admits that the Gopis score far above him in their unalloyed and selfless love to Krishna, pointed out Sri Dushyanth Sridhar in a discourse. Uddhava even wishes that he should be born as a bower or creeper or blade of grass in Brindavan in the midst of the pada dhuli of the Gopis whose songs in praise of the Lord can purify the three worlds.
The Upanishads and Vedanta talk of many vidyas, upasanas, etc that can be learnt and practised to attain salvation which is after all the goal of human existence. Though many consciously strive to get out of samsara, the path is arduous and in the Gita it is shown that perhaps one among innumerable jivatmas in the course of countless births may get liberated. But the Gopis show that all the worldly attainments such as birth, status, scholarship, etc are of no consequence and ultimately it is the intense longing for union with Krishna who is the Supreme Being incarnate that matters. Love of God works itself in one’s inner being and brings about spiritual realisation gradually.
A Gopi who is prevented from meeting Krishna begins meditating on Him with such intensity that she transcends her physical state to attain the Lord at that instant itself. It is no wonder that Azhwars never tire of speaking of the glories of Krishna avatar and the Lord’s Saulabhya that endears Him to all. Savouring and reliving every moment of Krishna leela easily establishes an immediate link to the Paramatma.
