| Gopis | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Other names | Krishnasakhi, Krishnapreyasi |
| Devanagari | गोपी |
| Sanskrit transliteration | Gopi |
| Venerated in | Radha Vallabh Sampradaya,Nimbarka Sampradaya,Gaudiya Vaishnavism,Pushtimarg |
| Affiliation | Avatar ofRadha,[1]Krishnaism,Vaishnavism |
| Abode | Goloka,Vrindavan,Barsana |
| Texts | Brahma Vaivarta Purana,Garga Samhita,Gita Govinda,Bhagavata Purana,Tiruppavai |
| Gender | Female |
| Region | Braj region |
| Temple | Ashtasakhi Temple inVrindavan |
| Festivals | Sharad Purnima,Kartik Purnima,Holi,Lathmar Holi |
| Genealogy | |
| Born | |
| Consort | Krishna |
Gopi (Sanskrit:गोपी,IAST:Gopī) orGopika inHinduism are commonly referred to the group of milkmaids ofBraj. They are regarded as the consorts and devotees ofKrishna and are venerated for their unconditional love and devotion (Bhakti) to him as described inBhagavata Purana and otherPuranic literature.[2] Gopis are often considered as the expansion ofRadha, the chief consort of Krishna.[3][4][5] TheRaslila of gopis with Krishna has inspired various traditional performance art forms and literatures.[6]
According to Indian philosopherJiva Goswami, gopis are considered as the eternal beloved and manifestations of the internal spiritual potency of Krishna. Among the gopis,Radha is the chief gopi and is the personification of the bliss potency (hladinishakti) of Krishna.[7] She alone manifests the stage ofmahabhava, or supreme love for Krishna, and holds a place of particularly high reverence and importance in a number of religious traditions.[8]
Gopi (गोपी) is aSanskrit word originating from the word Gopa. InHinduism, the nameGopika orGopi is especially used to refer the milkmaids ofBraj region.[9] The word Gopis in the plural refers to the group of cowherd women who possess devotion toward Krishna. When it is used in the singular ("Gopi"), it generally refers to Radha, who was the Krishna's favourite gopi.[10]
The prominentgopis ofVrindavan are total 108 in numbers. They share the eternal intimate friendship withRadha Krishna. No one can equal or exceed the love they bear for the divine couple.[11] Out of 108 gopis, the primary eight gopis are considered as the foremost ofKrishna's devotees after goddessRadharani who is considered as the chief of gopis. Their names are as follows:[12]
All the eight primary gopis are together called as theAshtasakhis (eight friends) of Radha and Krishna.
_-_Krishna%2c_Radha_and_Gopis_-_71.333_-_Detroit_Institute_of_Arts.jpg)
According to Hindu Vaishnava theology, the stories concerning the gopis are said to exemplifySuddha-bhakti which is described as 'the highest form of unconditional love for God (Krishna). Their spontaneous and unwavering devotion is described in depth in the later chapters of theBhagavata Purana, within Krishna's Vrindavan pastimes and also in the stories of the sageUddhava.[12]
For Vaishnava traditions, the most important representation of the gopis' love and devotion for Krishna is a story in the Bhagavata Purana (10.29-33) by the name ofRasa Lila Panchadhyaya, which translates as "the five chapters on the story of the rasa dance". Thebhakti or devotion that the gopis express in this story is believed by theChaitanya tradition to exemplify the highest form ofbhakti. In the story, Krishna's flute music attracts the gopis' attention, making them leave behind their families and homes so that they can enjoy devotion of Krishna[10]:
Upon hearing that sweet music,
their passion for him swelling,
The young women of Braj whose
minds were captured by Krishna,
Unaware of one another,
ran off toward the place
Where their beloved was waiting,
with their earrings swinging wildly (Bhagavata Purana 10.29.4)
_series._1610_Metmuseum.jpg)
.jpg)
Radha expresses herself in the multiple forms of gopis
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
