263 The Nectar of Devotion

Bhagavatam: ‘Upon seeing that Krsna’s arm was placed on her shoul-
der, one of the gopis engaged in the rasa dance became so ecstatically
happy that she kissed Krsna on His cheek.” This is an instance of
feeling happiness because of achieving a desired goal.

Eagerness

In the Tenth Canto, 7lst Chapter, 29th verse of Srimad-
Bhagavatam, it is said: ‘When Krsna first came from His Kingdom,
Dvaraka, to Indraprastha,* the young females of the city became so
eager to see Him that even at night, when they were lying down with
their husbands, they could not restrain their eagerness. Even though
they were not properly dressed and although their hair was loose and
there were many household duties to perform, they still gave up
everything and immediately went into the street to see Krsna.” This
is an instance of eagerness of ecstatic love.

In his book Stavavali, Sri Ripa Gosvami has prayed for the mercy
of Radharani, who was so captivated by the flute vibrations of Krsna
that She immediately asked information of His whereabouts from
residents in the Vrndavana forest. Upon first seeing Krsna, She was
filled with such ecstatic love and pleasure that She began to scratch
her ears. The damsels of Braja and Radharani were very expert in
talking cunningly, so as soon as they saw Krsna they began their
talkings; and Krsna, pretending to go for some flowers for them,
immediately left that place and entered into a mountain cave. This
is another instance of eager loving exchanges on the parts of both the
gopis and Krsna.

When Krsna was fighting with the Kaliya snake by dancing on his
heads, Kaliya bit Krsna on the leg. At that time Garuda became in-
furiated and began to murmur: “Krsna is so powerful that simply by
His thundering voice the wives of Kaliya have had miscarriages. Be-
cause my Lord has been insulted by this snake, I wish to immediately
devour him, but I cannot do so in the presence of my Lord, because
He may become angry with me.” This is an instance of eagerness to
act in ecstatic love as a result of dishonor to Krsna.

* Indraprastha is the present-day Delhi.
