So the gopis' activities, they are the supreme platform of pure devotion. There is no other business, there is no other business. Gopis, they are not interested to know philosophically whether Krsna is God. Although they are seeing every step, Krsna is God. Mother Yasoda is that Krsna is God. Gopis also gopi-jana-vallabha giri-vara-dhari. Krsna is lifting the Govardhana Hill, who can do it except God? They are seeing it, still they do not know that Krsna is God. Krsna is wonderful, that's all. They do not like to know whether Krsna is God or not. They want to love Krsna. Krsna may be God or not God, it doesn't matter. Just like if you love somebody, what he is, is he rich man, poor man, educated or non-educated? There is no consideration. Love has no such thing, consideration. Similarly, gopis' love for Krsna was pure.There was no consideration that Krsna was God, therefore they wanted to dance with Him. No, Krsna wanted to dance with them, therefore they came to Krsna. Krsna is now calling by the vibration of His flute at this dead of night. So, all these young girls, they are all married -- some of them are mothers -- so immediately (they) left their home. That is described in the Srimad-Bhagavatam. Some of them were cooking, some of them were feeding, breast-feeding the children, some of them were feeding the husband or the father. In this way everyone was engaged, but as soon as Krsna's flute was heard at dead of night, they left home immediately. All the guardians. Generally in India for young girls, the guardians are the father, the husband, the brother, all male members they forbid, "Where you are going? Where you are...?" Nobody cares. No love for so-called children, no love for home, no love for brother, father or no respect. Krsna. That is gopis' super-excellence. So that is being explained, and Bhismadeva, at the point of his death, he is relishing. These are to be learned. Unless we are practiced to think of Krsna always, how at the time of death we can think of Him?
Prabhupada's lecture:
Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.9.40
New York, October 23, 1973
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