See All Stree as Gopi

By: Mahanidhi Swami

Forty-three years ago during Karttika in Vrindavana, Srila Prabhupada presented a most amazing conception. It was November 11, 1972 in the Radha Damodara Mandira. Srila Prabhupada sat facing North between Srila Rupa Goswamipada’s samadhi and bhajan kutir.

At that auspicious time and place, Srila Prabhupada presented to his disciples the vision of a transcendentalist. It was how he wanted his disciples to see reality. In his conception, Srila Prabhupada sees all women as belonging to Krishna. They are Krishna’s energies; and moreover they are gopis! All women are to be enjoyed by Krishna and served by others.

Adopting this transcendental vision will free one from illusion, create inner peace and purity and push one forward to perfection. May you all deeply ponder Srila Prabhupada’s holy words, which are still reverberating within the sanctified grounds of Seva Kunja.

On that chilly morning of November 11, 1972, Srila Prabhupada said, “There may be thousands of beautiful women before a devotee, but that does not disturb his mind.

He sees:

*They are all energies of Krishna.

*They are gopis of Krishna.

*They are enjoyable by Krishna.

*I have to serve them. They are gopis.

“A devotee should try to engage all beautiful women in the service of Krishna. That is his duty. Not to enjoy them. That is sense gratification. This is the position of a devotee. He is not pierced by the arrows of Cupid because he sees everything in relationship with Krishna, nirbandhe Krishna sambandhe yukta vairagyam ucyate.” (BBT Folio: 721111ND.VRN)

Srila Prabhupada ki jai! Jai Jai Sri Radhe!