Page 29 - Lekha-mala (English)
P. 29

Posts to BVKS Sanga                                        19

           The natural love of the gopis is devoid of any trace of lust. It is
           faultless, bright and pure, like molten gold.

           The gopis know Krsna’s desires, and they know how to render
           perfect loving service for His enjoyment. They perform their
           service expertly for the satisfaction of their beloved. (end of
           extract)

           Gaudiya Vaisnavas are trained to follow in the footsteps of the
           gopis. This does not mean to imitate the gopis’ activities. Even
           hearing exclusively about gopi-lilas is proscribed for neophyte
           devotees, who due to lingering miscomprehension of the true
           nature of enjoyment are likely to misconstrue the gopis’ love as
           similar to material lust. Following in the footsteps of the gopis
           is thus best done by first imbibing their mood of selflessness
           and surrender, the level of which distinguishes them from even
           other great devotees.

           However if a neophyte devotee attempts to immediately negate
           all personal desires, he is likely to fall down into material
           lust. This is because by his nature the jiva must enjoy, either
           materially or spiritually. Those who due to lingering material
           contamination are not ready to enjoy on the topmost spiritual
           platform should recognize their situation and imbibe the mood
           of selfless service to Krsna, without attempting to imitate the
           level of the gopis.

           Devotees should cultivate enjoying seeing the form of the
           Lord, honoring His prasada, engaging in His service in various
           ways, and so on. In the beginning such enjoyment may be
           mixed with polluted desires. But by continuing to serve and
           by regularly hearing of Krsna’s position as the supreme and
           ultimately only true enjoyer, the devotee gradually becomes
           freed from all personal desires. Then he can actually enjoy
           spiritual bliss. As stated in the extract from Sri Caitanya-
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