The Divine Cheer Haran Leela
Shri Krishna Stole Gopi's Clothes
Many skeptics often question the relevance of the various incomprehensible divine pastimes of Shri Krishna. Cheer Haran Leela or the pastime of Shri Krishna where He stole the clothes of the Gopis while they were taking a bath is one of those pastimes.
Shri Krishna’s leelas or pastimes are incomprehensible even by some God realized souls. The divine nectar of these pastimes is experienced only by those most intimate maidens of Braj, who are constantly engaged in selfless service towards Shri Radha Krishna, being completely oblivious to their own needs, desires or pleasure. Hence, it is very important to reflect on this point.
Srimad Bhagwatam 21st chapter of the 10th canto states that some of the unmarried milk maidens of Vrindaban were attracted by the irresistible beauty of Shri Krishna and the beautiful melodies of his flute. They secretly desired to have Shri Krishna as their beloved. The 22nd chapter of 10th canto further states that these highly fortunate milk maidens of Braj diligently engaged themselves in the pursuit of their heart felt desire.
They would wake up early in the morning to take a bath in the river Yamuna, lovingly singing the names of Shri Krishna. They did not care about what others thought of them. They made a sand-idol of Goddess Katyayani Devi and started worshiping Her with an earnest desire to obtain Lord Shri Krishna as their eternal beloved. Their prayer was -
Shri Krishna’s leelas or pastimes are incomprehensible even by some God realized souls. The divine nectar of these pastimes is experienced only by those most intimate maidens of Braj, who are constantly engaged in selfless service towards Shri Radha Krishna, being completely oblivious to their own needs, desires or pleasure. Hence, it is very important to reflect on this point.
Srimad Bhagwatam 21st chapter of the 10th canto states that some of the unmarried milk maidens of Vrindaban were attracted by the irresistible beauty of Shri Krishna and the beautiful melodies of his flute. They secretly desired to have Shri Krishna as their beloved. The 22nd chapter of 10th canto further states that these highly fortunate milk maidens of Braj diligently engaged themselves in the pursuit of their heart felt desire.
They would wake up early in the morning to take a bath in the river Yamuna, lovingly singing the names of Shri Krishna. They did not care about what others thought of them. They made a sand-idol of Goddess Katyayani Devi and started worshiping Her with an earnest desire to obtain Lord Shri Krishna as their eternal beloved. Their prayer was -
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कात्यायिनि महामाये महायोगिन्यधीश्वरि ।
नंदगोपसुतं देवि ! पतिं में कुरू ते नमः ॥ इति मन्त्रं जपन्त्यस्ताः पूजां चक्रुः कुमारिकाः। भाग. १०.२२.४
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Kātyāyini mahāmāyē mahāyōgin'yadhīśvari.
Nandagōpasutaṁ dēvi! Patiṁ mēṁ kurū tē namaḥ. Iti mantraṁ japantyastāḥ pūjāṁ cakruḥ kumārikāḥ. Bhāga. 10.22.4
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Gopis worshiping Katyayani Devi
"O Mahamaya, Mahayogini ! O Goddess Katyayini ! We beseech for your mercy to bless us that we may attain Shyam Sundar as our eternal beloved".
Upon completion of their prayers, the Omniscient Lord Krishna appeared in front of them to grant them a boon to fulfill their desire.
PLEASE TAKE NOTE: Shri Krishna appeared and not Katyayani Devi for He knew that Gopis were worshiping Him under the pretext of worshiping Katyayani Devi.
A devotee's intent to surrender oneself does not compete the process. Just like preparatory devotion (sadhana bhakti) is an action done with material mind, surrender too is an action of material mind. An aspirant can surrender everything except oneself. Finally, God accepts one’s determination of self-surrender. Then, He takes away, both the feeling of having surrendered and the very existence of the surrendered soul. At this point, the lover and beloved become one. A devotee has to prepare oneself and make a firm resolve to surrender completely unto His lotus feet. Finally God accepts that surrender and makes it perfect and complete.
The exclusive purpose behind all the leelas of God is to put forth an ideal and to teach a lesson to mankind. In this leela as well, He did not transgress any modesty rather he put forth the highest ideal of modesty. The gopis were bathing in the river without any clothes covering their bodies. Bathing in the open without covering oneself is a sin as per our scriptures. Lord Krishna made them realize their error and chastised them for the same.
Eventually the gopis came in front of Shri Krishna, trying to cover themselves with their hands and their eyes lowered in shame and embarrassment. Just think, the gopis, who firmly know and believe that Shri Krishna is the Supreme God and who have accepted Lord Krishna as their soul and constantly desire for His eternal association, are hesitant to come out uncovered in front of Shri Krishna!
Was this not a sign of incomplete surrender?
Yes, it certainly was.
Despite having pure sentiments, they were unable to achieve the rewards of self-surrender. Lord Krishna reminded them of the ultimate objective of their steadfast devotion to Him and asked them the reason behind trying to maintain their privacy. The gopis said, “O Pran Vallabh (beloved)!, we want to leave the decorum of society for You, yet our bad impressions (sanskars) of many previous lives are preventing us from doing so. We are helpless”. Lord Krishna said, “look up at Me just once”.
Upon completion of their prayers, the Omniscient Lord Krishna appeared in front of them to grant them a boon to fulfill their desire.
PLEASE TAKE NOTE: Shri Krishna appeared and not Katyayani Devi for He knew that Gopis were worshiping Him under the pretext of worshiping Katyayani Devi.
A devotee's intent to surrender oneself does not compete the process. Just like preparatory devotion (sadhana bhakti) is an action done with material mind, surrender too is an action of material mind. An aspirant can surrender everything except oneself. Finally, God accepts one’s determination of self-surrender. Then, He takes away, both the feeling of having surrendered and the very existence of the surrendered soul. At this point, the lover and beloved become one. A devotee has to prepare oneself and make a firm resolve to surrender completely unto His lotus feet. Finally God accepts that surrender and makes it perfect and complete.
The exclusive purpose behind all the leelas of God is to put forth an ideal and to teach a lesson to mankind. In this leela as well, He did not transgress any modesty rather he put forth the highest ideal of modesty. The gopis were bathing in the river without any clothes covering their bodies. Bathing in the open without covering oneself is a sin as per our scriptures. Lord Krishna made them realize their error and chastised them for the same.
Eventually the gopis came in front of Shri Krishna, trying to cover themselves with their hands and their eyes lowered in shame and embarrassment. Just think, the gopis, who firmly know and believe that Shri Krishna is the Supreme God and who have accepted Lord Krishna as their soul and constantly desire for His eternal association, are hesitant to come out uncovered in front of Shri Krishna!
Was this not a sign of incomplete surrender?
Yes, it certainly was.
Despite having pure sentiments, they were unable to achieve the rewards of self-surrender. Lord Krishna reminded them of the ultimate objective of their steadfast devotion to Him and asked them the reason behind trying to maintain their privacy. The gopis said, “O Pran Vallabh (beloved)!, we want to leave the decorum of society for You, yet our bad impressions (sanskars) of many previous lives are preventing us from doing so. We are helpless”. Lord Krishna said, “look up at Me just once”.
Shri Krishna said "Look at Me just once"
They looked up at Lord Krishna and their hands naturally came together to pay their respects and seek His blessings. They forgot all about covering and also who should be covered. Thus, they simultaneously forgot about their surrender and the surrendering entity as well.
Their devotion reached the pinnacle of perfection and all barriers between them and Shri Krishna were broken.
Lord Krishna brought them back to their physical consciousness and returned their clothes. He also gave them an assurance that He will fulfill their desire exactly one year from this day.
Thus, He made them deserving-souls for attaining the unparalleled supreme bliss of Mahaaraas. (1)
Their devotion reached the pinnacle of perfection and all barriers between them and Shri Krishna were broken.
Lord Krishna brought them back to their physical consciousness and returned their clothes. He also gave them an assurance that He will fulfill their desire exactly one year from this day.
Thus, He made them deserving-souls for attaining the unparalleled supreme bliss of Mahaaraas. (1)
Reflect on this point now: Shri Krishna was only 9 years old at this time, He brought their pursuit to completion and returned their clothes without touching them. An year later, on the night of Sharad Poornima He showered the nectar of Mahaaraas on these Gopis along with other deserving souls.
We should have the firm faith and belief that God is divine. Hence, His pastimes and attributes are also divine. The sole purpose behind each is His pastimes is:
We should have the firm faith and belief that God is divine. Hence, His pastimes and attributes are also divine. The sole purpose behind each is His pastimes is:
- To establish an ideal in front of the society.
- Teach us the true meaning of self-surrender (Atma-nivedan आत्म-निवेदन) (2).
- Grant pleasure to His soul-surrendered devotees
