Madhura Bhakti (sweet devotion) was discovered, developed and dragged to climax by the devotees only and not by God. It is the main theme of the scripture Bhāgavatam. Without understanding the topic, some religions try to mock at Hinduism. For the first time in 5000 years, Shri Swami is explaining why this is the highest scripture that gives salvation to the soul in 7 days. The triad (Tripuṭī) of this topic is also highest since 1) Gopikas (Gantā) are the highest reborn sages, who were being worshipped even by angels, 2) Kṛṣṇa (Gamyam) is the highest form of incarnation (Paripūrṇa tamaḥ) and His highest abode is Goloka, which is higher than Brahma loka and 3) The path (Gamanam) adopted to reach the highest goal was liberation from all worldly bonds including the bond with life-partner in which even worldly justice is opposed (Sarvadharmān... Gītā).
Read these articles to know more on Madhura Bhakti.
Shri Abhiram Kudala asked: Padanamaskaram Swamy, Swamy, in one of the articles, You have mentioned the below statement: Radha was so amazing that she broke the divine promise done on God (God Krishna Himself) for the sake of the same God Krishna. Could You please explain a little more on the above statement? Can one keep a false promise on God? If yes, in what circumstances...
1. Is it correct to say that a Gopi is anyone, who hides his/her real devotion towards God? Is Sthitaprajna also a Gopi?
[Ms. Swathika & Smt. Priyanka asked: Paadanamaskaaram Swami, In discussion with Swathika about the Gopikas, certain doubts came up between us as listed below. Please give us clarification on these points. Is it correct to say that a Gopi is anyone, who hides their real devotional feelings towards God? If yes, can Sthitaprajnas be called as Gopis because they hide their real love for God and do their duties..
[A question by Smt. Ramya]
Swami replied:- It is not possible because such great devotees like the Gopikas, who were sages doing penance through millions of births, were not found either in the life of Krishna or after the life of Krishna. Hence, such a story is never heard...
[17. Smt. Chhanda asked: Why is the Bhagavatam said to be very highly critical and the most holy scripture so that it is said that the spiritual knowledge of a scholar must be tested in understanding the Bhagavatam? Please explain in elaborated manner.]
Swami replied:- As far as all other Skandhas are concerned, the normal devotion-paths are explained and the whole complexity comes in 10th Skandha only because of the incarnation of God Krishna. We must see the just precedent situation before the birth of Krishna. Sages approached God Rama and wanted to hug Him becoming females through their superpower. Such thought came in their minds...
Ms. Samaikya asked:- Swami, the married Gopikas had more pressure than Radha in reaching God Krishna. You told that Gopikas left their husbands after union with Krishna and became mad roaming on roads. Then, how is Radha praised...
[Smt. Swathi M asked:- Paadanamaskaaram, Swami. Radha used to visit Dwaraka to meet Krishna now and then, but, the other Gopikas never went to Dwaraka. Is it not discrimination between Radha and other Gopikas even though all were very strong devotees of God Krishna?]
Swami replied:- The case of Radha is entirely different from the other Gopikas. Radha loved Krishna, but since Radha was older than Krishna, she was married to Ayanaghosha, who was the younger brother of Yashoda...
Shri Anil Antony asked: Padanamaskaram Swami, Please give Your responses to the following question. At Your Lotus Feet-anil. You said “The sages in their previous birth were asking God to test about their Daareshanaa (bond with spouse), but, Krishna conducted the joint-test for the bond with money (Dhaneshanaa) and the bond with children (Putreshanaa).” Based on the above preaching, were the Gopikas not expecting that God Krishna will conduct...
[Shri Anil Antony asked: Please elaborate the concept of ‘law of the land’, in the context and background of topic of Madhura Bhakti; is there any difference in the law of land if the places were Jerusalem and Mecca?]
Swami replied:- ‘The law of the land’ means the belief of the public present in a land. Sometimes, a specific belief may be wrong. Generally, such specific belief, which is wrong is opposed by at least some people...
[Smt. Chhanda Chandra asked:- You told that unless one succeeds in Pravrutti, he/she will not be admitted into Nivrutti. What I mean is that since Radha failed in justice with her husband, Ayanaghosha, she should not be admitted into Nivrutti by Krishna.]
Swami replied:- If you take the case of Radha, it is climax mad love towards Krishna, which is an infinite ocean that drowned...
Shri Anil asked: If the love of the Gopikas to God Krishna was pure, devoid of lust, how did it result into a physical union? What was the need for physical union if it were pure love?
Swami replied:- Lust is from the point of souls only and the response of God towards them is for their satisfaction. I have told this point in the love of Magdelene towards Jesus and the love of some ladies towards Mohammad...
[Ms. Thrylokya asked:- Swami! What is the final message given by Gopikas in refusing the advice of God Krishna that they should go back to their homes, otherwise, they will face horrible hell?]
Swami replied:- God is greatest and hence, greater than anything and anybody as said in the Veda (Na tat samaścābhyadhikaśca…). Therefore, God is greater than even the advice of God. The love related to the greatest...
Smt. Lakshmi Lavanya K asked: Namaste Swami. You are always saying that God is real husband of all souls and all souls are His wives, then how could sex between Lord Krishna and Gopikas becomes illegitimate! I feel this was legitimate and sex between Gopikas and their husbands was wrong because both are wives of Lord Krishna. How could anyone say that sex between two ladies is legitimate. Please clarify. Thank You Swami.
Swami replied:- The word husband (Bhartaa) means maintainer and the word wife (Bhaaryaa) means maintained...
Shri Ganesh V asked: Padanamskaram Swamiji, Why did the Gopikas want to have illegitimate sex even when Lord Krishna warned against it? According to a recent answer given by you regarding lust Vs love, you clearly mentioned that Gopikas aim to have sex with Lord Krishna was to please Him and not their selfish lust which was non-existent. Then why did the Gopikas want to have illegitimate sex despite Lord Krishna warning against it? If Lord Krishna warned against it...
Ms. Bhanu Samykya asked: Padanamaskaram Swami, Lord Krishna orally told to Gopikas to go away to their houses when they approached Him in the midnight. But, Krishna internally was moved by their strength of devotion in not going back and was pleased with their opposition. We usually think that one should follow the words of God to please God. But, this incident always makes me doubt the words of God. Is God pleased more if we don’t follow His words? What is the correct measure...
Ms. Thrylokya asked: Gopikas were sages. They did a lot of penance in their previous births for God and sacrificed lust for hormonal sex by refusing even the most beautiful heavenly dancers during their penance for God. In this way, they sacrificed their selfish happiness for the sake of God by deviating from even the marriage-promise on God. When they have burnt their selfishness by their penance, why most Gopikas...
[Ms. Thrylokya asked: On this holy day of 'Holi', I would like to ask the following question. What is the difference between love and lust? How can we apply this concept in the topic of sweet devotion of Krishna and Gopikas?]
Swami replied: Forget about sweet devotion of God Krishna and Gopikas for some time and go into the basic spiritual concept, which is that the worship of God is the best if it is devoid of aspiration for any desire for the sake of self-happiness...
Smt. Sudha Rani asked: Paada Namaskaaram Swami. Thank You for Your enormous grace, Swami. Shirdi Sai is worshipped as Baba and Satya Sai is worshipped as Sai Maa. In every avatar, You enjoy the devotion of ample of climax devotees. Could You please reveal the way of devotion of those devotees who worshipped Shirdi Sai or Satya Sai or any of the recent Naraavataraas with Madhura Bhava...
Shri Sathi Reddy asked:- The Gopikas, who were Sages in previous lives, offered their body to God Krishna and reached the highest position of Goloka. I feel that the Lord should be at the highest position because He took the punishments of their sins and suffered. Please comment.
Swami replied:- Gopikas did not reach Goloka by offering their bodies alone to Krishna...
Shri Kishore Ram asked: Swamiji, Lord Krishna tested the Gopikas on the three strongest bonds (wealth, children and life partner). Did Lord Krishna perform these tests secretly or was this known to His eight wives as well?
Swami replied:- God Krishna performed the test of the bond with life-partner very secretly...
Smt. Priyanka asked:- Swami! You appreciated Gopikaas for sacrificing their lives after Krishna left His gross body. At the same time, You told that Krishna did not relish such sacrifice of the Gopikaas. While mentioning fan devotion also, You told that the fan commits suicide on hearing the death of his hero. How to correlate these points?
Swami replied:- Sacrifice of life for the sake of God is really appreciable from the angle of the love of the devotee to God. But, from the angle ...