4 At night in autumn the atmosphere is
pleasant because it is neither very hot
nor very cold. The mild wind blowing through
the gardens of fruits and flowers in Vrn-
davana appeared very much pleasing to all —
all but the gopis, who were always overtaken
by heartfelt sorrow in the absence of Krsna.

There are two kinds of transcendental feelings for those
engaged in the worship of the Lord. One is called sambhoga,
and the other is called viraha. According to authorities in the
disciplic line, viraha worship is more palatable than sambhoga
worship. Sambhoga takes place in direct touch, wheras viraha
takes place without such direct contact. Lord Caitanya Maha-
prabhu taught us to accept viraha worship. In the present state of
affairs we cannot make any direct touch with the Personality of
Godhead. But if we practice the viraha mode of worship we can
transcendentally realize the presence of the Lord more lovingly
than in His presence.

Without love of Godhead there is no meaning even to direct
contact. During the presence of the Lord there were thousands
and thousands of men, but because they were not in love of
Godhead they could hardly realize the Personality of Godhead,
Sri Krsna. Therefore we must first activate our dormant love of
Godhead by following the prescribed rules and by following in the
footsteps of the authorities who are actually fixed in love of
Godhead. The gopis provide the highest example of such un-
alloyed love of Godhead, and Lord Caitanya at the ultimate stage
of realization displayed the viraha worship in the mood of the

gopis.

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