# The Gopīs *On the cowherd girls of Vṛndāvana and their pure love* --- ### Highest Standard of Love > The gopīs' love for Kṛṣṇa is the highest standard of love. They gave up everything for Kṛṣṇa—their families, their reputation, everything. This is pure love. — [[spoken/1968/680816jm.mon|Janmāṣṭamī Lecture, Montreal, 1968]] --- ### Not Material Lust > The love of the gopīs is not material lust. It is the purest spiritual love. Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and the gopīs' love for Him is transcendental. — [[spoken/1970/700508ip.la|Śrī Īśopaniṣad, Mantra 6, Los Angeles, 1970]] --- ### Always Thinking of Kṛṣṇa > The gopīs were always thinking of Kṛṣṇa. Whether they were cooking, cleaning, or doing any activity, their minds were always absorbed in Kṛṣṇa. This is the perfection of meditation. — [[spoken/1972/721017sb.vrn|Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.2.6, Vṛndāvana, 1972]] --- ### Forgot Everything > When the gopīs heard Kṛṣṇa's flute, they forgot everything—their homes, their families, their duties. They simply ran to Kṛṣṇa. This is pure love. — [[spoken/1968/680816jm.mon|Janmāṣṭamī Lecture, Montreal, 1968]] --- ### Model of Devotion > The gopīs are the model of pure devotion. They did not want anything from Kṛṣṇa. They only wanted to give pleasure to Kṛṣṇa. This is unmotivated love. — [[spoken/1972/721017sb.vrn|Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.2.6, Vṛndāvana, 1972]] --- ### In Separation > When Kṛṣṇa left Vṛndāvana, the gopīs were always crying for Him. This feeling of separation is also a form of love. In fact, it is the highest form of love. — [[spoken/1970/700508ip.la|Śrī Īśopaniṣad, Mantra 6, Los Angeles, 1970]] --- ### Not to Be Imitated > We should not try to imitate the gopīs. Their love is on the highest platform. We should first become pure devotees by following the regulative principles. Then, by Kṛṣṇa's grace, we may be elevated. — [[spoken/1968/680816jm.mon|Janmāṣṭamī Lecture, Montreal, 1968]] --- ### Kṛṣṇa Satisfied with Them > Kṛṣṇa was most satisfied with the gopīs because their love was completely selfless. They wanted nothing for themselves. They only wanted Kṛṣṇa's happiness. — [[spoken/1972/721017sb.vrn|Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.2.6, Vṛndāvana, 1972]] --- ### Eternal Associates > The gopīs are Kṛṣṇa's eternal associates. They are always with Kṛṣṇa in the spiritual world, in Goloka Vṛndāvana. They never leave Kṛṣṇa. — [[spoken/1970/700508ip.la|Śrī Īśopaniṣad, Mantra 6, Los Angeles, 1970]] --- ### Follow Their Mood > We should follow the mood of the gopīs—their selfless love, their complete surrender, their absorption in Kṛṣṇa. Not imitate their activities, but follow their mood. — [[spoken/1968/680816jm.mon|Janmāṣṭamī Lecture, Montreal, 1968]] --- *10 quotes from Śrīla Prabhupāda on the gopīs* [[wiki/quotes|Back to Quotes]]