The Gopis as the Supreme Ideals of Devotion: Lessons from the Narad Bhakti Sutras
In the path of bhakti, no devotees shine more brilliantly than the gopis of Vrindavan. Their love for Shri Krishna was so pure, unconditional, and self-effacing that even the great sage Narad cites them as the ultimate exemplars of devotion. Swami Mukundananda narrates how the Narad Bhakti Sutras describe the pinnacle of divine love as tat-sukha-sukhitvam(Sutra 54). The sutra means finding one’s happiness solely in the happiness of the Lord, and the gopis embody this truth effortlessly and completely. Their lives reveal that true bhakti does not demand, expect, or negotiate; it simply flows toward the Divine with unbroken sincerity. In exploring their devotion, we uncover timeless lessons on surrender, divine love, and the highest ideals of spiritual life.
The Gopis As Paragons of Selfless Love
To explain why the gopis are placed on such an exalted pedestal, Swami Mukundananda shares two profound episodes from the Vrindavan pastimes. In his commentary on the Narada Bhakti Sutras, he narrates these incidents with great depth. Each reveals the purity, the intensity, and the astonishing selflessness of their divine love.
I. The Gopis Sacrifice Even the Darshan of Shri Krishna
Swamiji beautifully describes that when Shri Krishna would return to Vrindavan at dusk after grazing the cows, the gopis would eagerly line the paths, waiting to catch a glimpse of Him. Having spent the entire day without His darshan, they would feel that even having two eyes was insufficient—because two eyes could not drink His beauty fast enough.
Their longing was so deep that even the natural blinking of their eyelids felt unbearable. The Gopi Geet captures their complaint to Brahma, the creator:
kuṭila-kuntalaṁ śrī-mukhaṁ ca te
jaḍa udīkṣatāṁ pakṣma-kṛd dṛśām(Śrīmad Bhāgavatam, Canto 10, Chapter 31, Verse 15.)
“O Brahma! You have made eyelids on our eyes—your intellect must be inert! How could you not know we must behold Krishna without interruption?”
Such was their love: nothing should obstruct their vision of Shri Krishna, not even the involuntary blinking of an eye.
Yet, astonishingly, when Krishna left Vrindavan for Mathura, the gopis did not go to see Him—despite the distance being only twelve kilometers. Their separation was so agonizing that it felt as if their very lives were being pulled out of their bodies. Relief from that pain was merely a two-hour walk away. Why then did they not go?
Their reasoning reveals the height of their selflessness:
“If Krishna had wished to meet us, He would have come. The fact that He has not come means that His happiness lies elsewhere. How can we impose ourselves on Him for our happiness?”
This is tat-sukha-sukhitvam in its purest expression:
They sacrificed infinite happiness (His darshan) simply to avoid infringing upon Krishna’s will.
Most people are willing to sacrifice time or wealth, but not happiness. That is rarely touched. Yet the gopis were willing to renounce even the bliss of Krishna’s darshan—something that gives infinite joy—because they prioritized His happiness over their own.
This is why Shri Krishna declares to Arjun in the Adi Puran:
nijāṅgam api yā gopyo
mameti samupāsate
tābhyaḥ paraṁ na me pārtha
Nigūḍha-prema-bhājanam (Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta - Ādi-līlā 4.184)
Tr. “O Arjun, there are no greater receptacles of deep love for Me than the gopīs, who cleanse and decorate their bodies because they consider them Mine”
Their sacrifice shows a level of devotion that transcends all categories—yoga, jnana, karma, and even ordinary bhakti. It is love that delights only in the delight of the Beloved.
II. Radha Rani and the Gopis: Uddhav Witnesses Divine Selflessness
Swamiji relates a second episode that reveals this same principle through a different lens—this time, through Shri Krishna’s messenger, Uddhav.
When the time came for Krishna to send a message to the gopis of Vrindavan, He chose Uddhav—His dear friend and a scholar of profound wisdom. Uddhav felt honored. In his heart, he believed that, with his learning and maturity, he could console the simple village girls who pined for the Lord.
But the moment he beheld the gopis, his pride quietly slipped away. Their eyes shone with longing, their every breath whispered Krishna’s name, and their hearts throbbed with a love he had never seen before. The scriptures he had mastered suddenly felt pale before the blazing purity of their devotion.
Before returning to Mathura, he gently asked them,
“Is there any message you would like me to carry to Krishna?”
What followed was remarkable.
The first group of gopis smiled softly and said, “Tell Krishna we are doing wonderfully.”
Uddhav was taken aback. “How can you say that? Every moment you endure such deep separation. Why hide it?”
They replied, “Krishna has an extraordinarily tender heart. If He hears that we are suffering, it will give Him pain. How can we cause Him even a shadow of sorrow?”
Still troubled, Uddhav reasoned, “But if I say you are fine, He may think you no longer love Him.”
Hearing this, a second group of gopis spoke: “Then tell Him we are in the depths of misery.”
Again, Uddhav hesitated. “But earlier you said Krishna has a soft heart. If I describe your anguish, won’t He be deeply disturbed?”
Now the third group of gopis offered their view: “Then say nothing—simply remain silent.”
Uddhav shook his head gravely. “When a doctor steps out of the surgery room in silence, the family fears the worst. Krishna, too, may think your love has died if I return without a word.”
As the three suggestions canceled each other out, all eyes turned toward one person—the embodiment of divine love—Shrimati Radha Rani.
With the serenity of one whose heart beats only for Krishna, Radha Rani spoke: “Uddhav, say whatever you feel is best. But remember only one thing—the smile on Krishna’s face must never fade. Let that smile remain untouched.”
With these words, the entire dilemma dissolved. In that single instruction lay the essence of the Narad Bhakti Sutras:
True devotion means finding our joy in the joy of the Lord.
Radhaji never once spoke of Her own pain, Her longing, or Her sleepless nights. Her only thought was Krishna’s happiness.
Narad Muni proclaims: “This is the devotion I glorify—the devotion of the gopis.”
Uddhav returned from Vrindavan a changed soul. What he learned in those cow-dusted lanes, in the presence of those village maidens, was something no scripture had ever revealed to him: Prem—pure, selfless divine love—is the highest wisdom.
The Narad Bhakti Sutras on the Levels of Madhurya Bhav
Swami Mukundananda’s commentary on the Narad Bhakti Sutras (Sutras 22–24) describes three categories of gopis worshiping Krishna in madhurya-bhav (conjugal sentiment):
Let us explore each with the corresponding examples.
1. Sādhāraṇī Rati – The Devotion of Kubja
Sādhāraṇī rati is categorized by self-centered love—the devotee seeks personal happiness from the relationship.
Kubja is an example of this category. In Ram-avatar, she was Surpanakha, who possessed spiritual power and was attracted to Shri Ram. Ram promised that in the Krishna avatar, she would receive that cherished relationship. She thus appeared as Kubja.
Yet her love had limitations. It grew when she had Krishna’s darshan and diminished when He was absent. This fluctuation shows that her love was dependent on reciprocation. It was not the highest form of madhurya bhav.
Swamiji explains in his commentary that this is the third-class category according to Narad.
2. Samanjasā Rati – The Devotion of Krishna’s Queens
This second category includes Rukmini, Satyabhama, and the queens of Dwarka. Their devotion is greatly elevated, but it contains two elements: 1) the desire for Krishna’s happiness, and 2) the desire for one’s own fulfillment.
In his commentary on the Narad Bhakti Sutras, Swami Mukundananda explains this bhav with this scriptural reference :
patnībhāvābhimānātmā
guṇādishravaṇādijā
kvachidbheditasambhogatṛiṣhṇā
sāndrā samañjasā (Ujjwal Neelamani 14.48)
Tr. This devotion contains the sense of pride: “Krishna is my husband; I have a right over Him. It is slightly tinged with selfishness.”
Their love is deep, but they have a subtle expectation of reciprocation. Their happiness is tied to living with Krishna, sharing His life, and receiving His affection. Narad calls this middle-class devotion.
3. Samarthā Rati – The Love of the Gopis
The highest category—samarthā rati—belongs only to the gopis.
This love is completely devoid of self-interest, unaffected by reciprocation or lack thereof, steady in union and separation, and motivated only by Krishna’s joy.
This is the category Narad repeatedly glorifies, and this is why the stories of tat-sukha-sukhitvam exemplify samarthā rati.
The gopis do not think:
“What will Krishna do for me?”
“When will He give me darshan?”
“When will He reciprocate?”
Instead, they only think: “What will make Krishna happy?”
This is why the queens of Dwarka were awestruck when they heard of the gopis’ love. They longed to take birth as simple blades of grass in Vrindavan. In that humble form, they hoped to receive even a particle of dust from the gopis’ feet. A leela of the Lord further highlights this principle.
The Antidote to Shree Krishna’s Headache: The Queens Learn the Secret of Gopi-Bhav
One day in Dwarka, Shri Krishna sat quietly, His lotus eyes gazing into the distance. A wave of remembrance arose in His heart—the memory of the gopis of Braj. The moment their love flashed across His mind, Krishna was so overwhelmed that He suddenly fainted.
The queens panicked. They rushed to His side. “What happened to our Lord?” they wondered.
And another question arose in their hearts, one they did not utter aloud:
“What kind of love do those simple village girls possess that even after so many years, it pulls Krishna’s mind back to them?”
Seeing the queens' inner curiosity, Krishna decided to teach them the true glory of gopi-prem. So, He enacted a divine leela. He pretended to be stricken with an unbearable headache—so severe that nothing could soothe it.
Doctors came. Remedies were tried. Sacred mantras were chanted. But the pain only grew worse. Just then, Naradji arrived. After understanding the situation, he requested on Krishna’s behalf.
“Mother Rukmini,” he said, “Krishna has revealed the cure. He needs the foot dust of someone who truly loves Him. Please give a little of your pad-raj.”
Rukmini Devi stepped back in alarm. “Naradji! If I place my foot dust on the head of Bhagavan Himself, I will surely incur sin. I may even go to hell! How can I do such a thing?”
Satyabhama also refused. One by one, all the queens said the same: “How can we give our foot dust to the Supreme Lord? The world will mock us! And our own devotion will be tainted!”
Naradji sighed. “But Krishna’s pain is increasing.”
Still, no one agreed. So he traveled to Braj. The moment the gopis heard that Krishna was unwell, their hearts trembled. Without a second thought, they extended their feet toward Naradji.
“Take the dust,” they said. “Take as much as you want.”
Narad was stunned. “You are giving your foot dust to God? Do you not fear going to hell?”
The gopis smiled gently, and their words became immortal in the history of devotion: “Naradji, for us there is no difference between heaven, hell, or Golok. Wherever Krishna is happy—that is our heaven. If giving this dust will relieve His pain, take it immediately. Our only concern is His joy.”
This effortless, spontaneous selflessness is samarthā rati, the highest form of divine love.
When Naradji left Braj, he carried not only the dust but also the fragrance of the gopis’ love in his heart. Along the way, he tasted a little of the dust himself and reflected: “I am revered as a saint, yet I cannot match the love of these simple cowherd girls.”
And the Narad Bhakti Sutras echo the same realization. They culminate in the jewel-like truth of Sutra 54: tat-sukha-sukhitvam —
True devotion is to find one’s own happiness solely in the happiness of the Beloved.
The gopis lived by this principle every moment. That is why Krishna proclaims them—not merely devotees—but His very Gurus in love.
Applying the Gopis’ Lessons in Our Spiritual Lives
It may seem impossible for ordinary sadhaks to emulate such exalted devotion. Yet Swami Mukundananda explains that the principle, not the intensity, is what we must adopt.
The gopis teach us:
✅Bhakti is not about seeking comfort or emotional fulfillment.
✅It is about seeking the pleasure of Bhagavan.
✅It is not self-centered; it is God-centered.
✅Love does not demand; it offers.
✅Love does not shrink in separation; it expands.
Even if we begin with mixed motivations, we should consciously cultivate the ideal of nishkām prem—selfless love.
Swamiji advises:
“Make a resolve: ‘I will love Shri Krishna for His happiness. I will not compromise—even if my progress takes many lifetimes.’”
Conclusion: The Gopis—The Crest-Jewels of Bhakti
The gopis stand as the unparalleled luminaries of devotion because their hearts beat only for Krishna’s joy. Through their lives and love, they reveal the essence of the Narad Bhakti Sutras.
The gopis’ devotion is not merely a chapter in spiritual literature; it is the highest ideal toward which every devotee can aspire.
As Narad concludes: yathā vrajagopikānām(NBS, Sutra 21)
“He says, if you wish to see the highest form of bhakti, see it in the gopis of Braj.”
May their sublime example inspire us to deepen our own devotion, purify our intentions, and walk the path of bhakti with ever-growing sincerity and love.
Call to Action:
1. Subscribe and share the Swami Mukundananda YouTube channel: Shree Krishna Will Be Yours If You Realize This – A Life-Transforming Truth | Swami Mukundananda
2. Deepen your devotion with timeless spiritual secrets with Swami Mukundananda’s commentary: Narad Bhakti Sutras: Journey into the Heart of Bhakti at: https://amzn.in/d/7avTUBr or https://amzn.in/d/1RJXfTS
Resources
1. Mukundananda, S. (2025).Narad Bhakti Sutras: Journey into the Heart of Bhakti. Rupa Publications Pvt Ltd: New Delhi, India.
2. Narad Bhakti Darshan by Swami Mukundananda- Part 14
3. Gopi's Selfless Love for Krishna l Bhakti Shatak l JKYog Family Camp l Swami Mukundananda
4. GOPI PREM - Unheard Leelas of Radha Krishna l TRUE LOVE l Swami Mukundananda l Shrimad Bhagavatam