INTRODUCTION
Gopikas are female cowherds, who consider Lord Krishna as everything for them. They have dedicated their entire life towards praising him, thinking about him and worshipping him whole heartedly. During the Treta Yuga, The sages of Dandakaranya, were blessed by Lord Rama, to be born as Gopikas in the Dwapara Yuga. After being born in the Vrindavana, as Gopikas, they remained in the company of Lord Krishna for most of the time, and spend their time cheerfully.
Gopikas are still popularly worshipped by the people of Vrindavan, along with Lord Krishna and Ma Radha Rani, also known as Radhika. In Nidhivan Krishna Temple at Vrindavan, it is believed that all of the holy trees present nearby the temple are Gopikas, and they would be transformed into Gopikas , and would enjoy by remaining in the company of Lord Krishna, and they would dance and embrace Lord Krishna, and would shower their unlimited affection on him.
There are more than hundreds of Gopikas who lived in the Vrindavan. All of them have considered Lord Krishna as their friend, philosopher, guide and god. Their bondage with Lord Krishna is like that of a mother and a child. . According to Srimad Bhagavatham, the Gopikas are said to express their unconditional love and pure bhakti on Lord Krishna. Their deep devotion is mentioned in the Bhagavata Purana.
The names of the nine important Gopikasare as follows:
- Lalita
- Vishakha
- Champakalata
- Chitra
- Tungavidya
- Indulekha
- Rangadevi
- Sudevi
- Anuradha
We can mention Mirabai, Sakhubai and Janabai, similar to the Gopikas, since have sincerely worshipped Lord Krishna. We can also compare the bhakti of the Gopikas on Lord Krishna, with the bhakti ofLord Hanuman on Lord Rama.
Let us worship the pure, chaste and the holy Gopikas, and be blessed.
“JAI SRI KRISHNA”
WRITTEN BY R.HARISHANKAR