Love increases exponentially when in a state of separation from God. Their eyes had become red due to weeping. They recalled the episodes of Krishna, when they meet each other at the riverside of Yamuna, “Krishna was obstructing me here,” said one Gopi to her friend, “He ran to me and stopped here to help me to put the water pot on my head.”
“Bhagwan came to me in his divine form and told me that he was with me forever. With such assuring words, God helped me keep the water pot on my head.” Another Gopi said to her friend, “Do you know? There at that riverside, he had pulled my chunari to stop me going home. “
Sadguru Brahmanand Swami sings:
(Dear friend! Krishna had pulled my chunari. He was not shy in the presence of my other friends, who accompanied me to fetch the water of Yamuna. The Gopis are merged in the sweet memories of Shree Krishna. They knew not what they spoke to each other. Brahmanand Swami sees in them their spiritual wisdom.)
The Gopis were remembering the ways of Shree Krishna. They remembered the secret signs he made at the time of helping them to carry a water pot on their head.
They remembered the occasions when Krishna used to come to their house. The Gopis thus weep in seclusion. Presently, they look like a statue when they fetch water from Yamuna. They are unaware of the weight of the pot on their head.
Sadguru Nishkulanand Swami sings:
(What can I say about their love? They are merged in love of Shree Krishna. It is very difficult for Nishkulanand to describe their pains of separation. They are disintegrated mentally in their separation of Shree Krishna)
Shreeji Maharaj says in Vachanamrit (K-11), “And when Shree Krishna went to Mathura which was six miles away from Gokul, even then the Gopis did not go to Mathura for his darshan, as Shree Krishna did not desire that they should go to Mathura. They thought, “If we go to Mathura disobeying His orders, he would surely be displeased.” Love therefore demands implicit obedience to the wishes of God. If, however God, whom they love greatly, desires that He should be away from them, then they should gracefully undergo such forced separation. A devotee, who has intense love for God, would always willingly abide by all His orders but would never act against His wishes.”
The Gopis had true and absolute love for God. They never went for darshan, without permission from Shree Krishna. They kept their promise. To act as per the will of God is the attribute of true love and devotion. Attachment to worldly life is called Maya and attachment and affection to God is known as devotion.
God says that he has many homes. The homes of all his devotees are His own homes. God is drawn to the homes of his devotees through their devotional love. Tukaram invited Him, Narsinh Maheta invited Him, Kachara Bhagat welcomed Him to his house, Karaniba and other devotees called Him to visit their homes. Lord Shree Hari graced the homes of his most faithful devotees. Shree Hari says that those are His own houses.
Krishna went to the homes of the Gopis to have butter. God enjoys meals at those homes where there is true love. God does not like meals and services without love. Love - true love – manifests itself in the tender forms of taste, liking and attachment.
Vidurji was waiting anxiously for a visit from God for so long. He was desirous to welcome him with tasty meals and decent hospitality. Vidurji and Sulbhaji used to sing jointly the devotional praises of God. God likes devotional song and devotional music. This is evident from how Lord Shree Hari would often come down from his throne and slip gradually closer to Premanand Swami to sing and enjoy the devotional songs with him.
God used to sit beside Surdasji whenever he recited devotional songs. If ones life is pure and unpolluted then God will come without any invitation. Krishna knocked on the door of Vidurji, “Uncle! Please open the door.” Vidurji opened the door. Krishna favoured him with His blissful darshan. Vidurji forgot to offer a seat in the emotion of love and affection. Krishna himself took a carpet of Darbha to sit on. He held with respect the hand of Vidura and helped him to grace a seat. Those who were respected by God, received everlasting honour.
God said, “Uncle! I am very hungry. Please give me something to eat.” But God wasn’t hungry for anything really. He is Almighty Supreme Lord of the universe – sustainer of the Lokas. God provides food to all and sustains the whole world. God desires on to eat and is hungry for the devotional fervour of his devotees.
God desired to have something. He was hungry! But Vidurji was most worried when he knew about this. Vidur and Sulbha was a poor couple. There was nothing in the home to eat. They sustained their own lives by consuming boiled leaves of Vegetables – bhaaji. Vidurji worried about what to do about thaal for Shree Krishna.
All knowing Supreme Lord Shree Krishna read the mind of his devotee. He knew about the worries of his devotee. Lord Krishna went to the cooking stove and picked up the container of boiled leaves. He served it to himself and had it happily. Vidura cried in excessive love and devotion, when he saw the Lord of the universe having meals of boiled leaves. Vidura was very sorry for himself. He found himself helpless in providing a decent meal to Shree Krishna. God understood the devotional feelings of his faithful devotee.
The Lord said, “O Uncle! O Great Devotee! Don’t worry. I have enjoyed the tastes of royal feast meals in your bhaaji. Uncle! I am not hungry for food, I am hungry for pure and selfless love.” God loves his single-minded devotees. God dislikes anger, ego, envy or conspiracy. Be an ego free devotee by discarding the inner enemies.