SRI KRISHNA LEELAMRUTHAM (THE NECTARINE STORIES OF THE DEEDS OF LORD KRISHNA)

 47. UDDHAVA DELIVERS MESSAGE OF THE LORD TO GOPIS

The Gopis were struck with wonder on seeing Uddhava who looked as similar as Lord Krishna. So, the Gopis understood that He must be a great devotee of the Lord to share the similar physical appearance. They were so anxious to know about Uddhava whose soul was surrendered unto the lotus feet of the Lord. When the Gopis came to know that Krishna has sent a message for them, they called Uddhava to an unfrequented place where unknown persons cannot come. The Gopis became so elate and said, "We know that You are a completely surrendered soul to the Supreme Lord! Hence Krishna have sent You specifically. What does He say? Does He remember the beautiful calves and cows in the pasturing grounds? We are sure that Krishna won't remember all these as He became a man in the city. He won't bother downtrodden girls like us. We have left so many things to spend time with Him. Birds won't stay in tree when fruit season gets over. Likewise, a man can easily give up a girl after enjoying with her". The Gopis cited numerous similes with respect to Krishna as they were immersed in the pangs of separation.  One Gopi, the most dearest to the Lord who began to talk with a bumblebee that was flying hither and thither. 

She assumed the bumblebee as a messenger of Krishna and began to talk as follows, "O beautiful bumblebee, you used to drink honey from many flowers and shares the same nature of Krishna. You have tasted honey from the flower garlands wore by Krishna and now you are touching my feet! But, one thing I warn you, I don't want any messages from Krishna!". The most favorite Gopi indirectly criticizes Uddhava who came with a message for the Gopis of Vrindavan. The Gopi continued, "Krishna resembles your nature. Like how you drink honey from one flower and directly jumps into another flower, Krishna enjoyed with us and simply left us alone by enjoying company with Mathura Gopis! We are cheated by Him! I cannot trust Him anymore. We Gopis have left our family, relatives, children, husband only for Krishna. But He didn't feel anything! How can we actually trust Him again! I agree that He is too qualified to attract any girl in the three world by raising of His eyebrows and a nectarine smile! So, we are unimportant for Him when compared to many beautiful girls including Supreme Goddesses! Despite all these, it is arduous to not have the thoughts of that beautiful boy as He stole everyone's heart! I'm keep on remembering Him even when I criticize! But however, we Gopis won't ever make a friendship with Krishna anymore! We know better than you about Krishna. So, please don't come up with making up of old stories on Him. It is better to change this topic! We are already grief stricken. If we think about Him, we will become more lustful!". Suddenly the bumblebee disappeared from Her sight. The Gopi became mad of thinking on the messenger bee that Krishna would be very sorry to hear words spoken against Him. At the time, the bumblebee appeared in front of Her. She was very happy that Krishna was so kind to us and said, "O beautiful bee! Krishna is so kind to Me! So only He sent you back. You can ask anything to me! Tell me, How is Krishna there in Mathura?".

Uddhava saw the ecstatic state of the Gopis and began to spoke as follows, "O Gopis, You are the most purest soul in the Universe! Lord Krishna is all pervading, He is the indweller of all beings! Your constant thinking on the Lord shows how deep Your love is! So, You people are the most dearest surrendered souls to Him! He is with You and within You! My dear Gopis, Lord Krishna has sent me to deliver His message as I'm His servitor". Uddhava continued to deliver the words uttered by the Lord, "O my beloved Gopis! There is no separation between us because I'm all pervading! Your unshakable love is from the beginning of your lives! In order to increase your devotion, truth, love and faith even more higher, I wantedly separated Myself from You! So that You can reach the level of trance through meditating constantly upon My lotus feet!". On hearing the message of the Lord, Gopis were convinced and were happy after understanding it. They began to question uddhava, "So, Krishna will not come back to Vrindavan? Doesn't He remember the autumnal nights spent on Rasa dance with Him? But Krishna is a Supreme soul! He is beyond the material world or Maya. So, it is better not to expect Krishna's arrival in Vrindavan anymore!". 

Uddhava finally told to constantly meditate on His lotus feet. He touched the feet of the Gopis after seeing their ecstatic devotion and love towards the Lord! He wanted to become atleast a grass in Vrindavan in His next life. Because, Vrindavan is the land of the Lord. Uddhava convinced the Gopis by taking them to the places where the Lord performed His nectarine deeds. He said, "This is how our Lord uplifted Govardhana mountain with His little finger for seven days! This is how our Lord saved You from forest fire! This is where He used to return with the cows and calves along with His companions!". The Gopis were even more happy after Uddhava's pacifying words. They wanted Uddhava to stay for sometime in Vrindavan. He also agreed and stayed in Vrindavan for almost three months. When He departed from Vrindavan, the Gopis and the inhabitants of Vrindavan were very sorry. Uddhava returned Mathura and bowed down before Lord Krishna and Lord Balaram and narrated the happenings and the exalted state of the Gopis.

TO BE CONTINUED....