34 / The Gopis’ Feelings of Separation

The gopis of Vrndavana were so attached to Krsna that they were not
satisfied simply with the rasa dance at night. They wanted to associate
with Him and enjoy His company during the daytime also. When Krsna
went to the forest with His cowherd boy friends and cows, the gopis did
not physically take part, but their hearts went with Him. And because
their hearts went, they were able to enjoy His company through strong
feelings of separation. To acquire this strong feeling of separation is the
teaching of Lord Caitanya and His direct disciplic succession of Gosvamis.
When we are not in physical contact with Krsna, we can associate with
Him like the gopis, through feelings of separation. Krsna’s transcendental
form, qualities, pastimes, and entourage are all identical with Him. There
are nine different kinds of devotional service. Devotional service to Krsna
in feelings of separation elevates the devotee to the highest perfectional
level, to the level of the gopis.
the material opulences of government service and the princely status of
life and went to Vrndavana, where they lived just like ordinary mendicants,
begging from door to door. But they were so much enriched with the
gopis’ feelings of separation that they enjoyed transcendental pleasure at
every moment. Similarly, when Lord Caitanya was at Jagannatha Puri, He
was in the role of Radharani, feeling the separation of Krsna. Those who
are in the disciplic succession of the Madhva-Gaudiya-sampradaya should
also feel the separation of Krsna, worship His transcendental form, and
discuss His transcendental teachings, His pastimes, His qualities, His
entourage and His associations. The spiritual masters should enrich the
devotees to the highest devotional perfection. Feeling constant separation
while engaged in the service of the Lord is the perfection of Krsna
consciousness.

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