18 Teachings of Lord Chaitanya

are sleeping somewhere with their husbands, some are taking milk, some
are caring for their children—they were all busy young girls. But as soon as
they heard Krishna’s flute, they at once left their places.

All these Gopis were childhood friends. In India the girls are married by
the age of twelve years, and the boys are married at not less than eighteen
years. Krishna was not married at that time as He was a Boy fifteen or sixteen
years old. So, He called these girlfriends from their homes, although they
were married, and they used to come and dance together. That is called the
Rasa Dance. Hearing the transcendental sound of the flute, as soon as He
would sound the vibration, all the Gopis would come and join Him at a par-
ticular place, which was called Bonsibat. If you go to Vrindaban you will
find that Bonsibat still exists. It is a very sanctified place, and pilgrims go
there and offer their respects. Believe it or not, it is said that there are the
same trees that were there at the time of Krishna. That is not so astonishing,
however, because I saw some redwood trees in Muir Forest in San Francisco
which were said to be 7000 years old. So it is not impossible.

Krishna advented 5000 years ago, and if some of the trees are still standing,
it is not unprecendented, because here also there are very old trees. The par-
ticular tree under which Krishna used to call the Gopis to come and dance
the Rasa Dance at night with Him—that tree is still there. That is described
in Chaitanya Charitamrita.

“May that Gopinath, the Master of the Gopis, Krishna, bless you. May
you become blessed by Gopinath.” Gopinath is called for blessing because
He used to attract the Gopis. As He attracted the Gopis by the sweet sound
of His flute, so the author desires that He may also attract your mind by that
transcendental vibration.
