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----- bhagap312.html
The Vrindavana Lila is Nitya or constant. The Rasa Lila is
for all time, for all Bhaktas.
The night is the time for rest but it is the rest of bodily ac-
tions. For, towards the close of night, spiritual activity sets in. Men
get spiritual teachings and spiritual advancement without knowing it.
But it is only a few, who have a conscious union with the Lord who
manifests Himself in the heart of man.
Purusha is one. Jiva Prakritis or Para Prakritis are many.
To Purusha Jiva must be always negative, however positive it may
be towards the forms of Apara Prakriti. Purusha is always Male.
And to Him, Jiva Prakriti is always a female. As the Vaishnavas
say, there is only one male in all Vrindavana aud that male is the
Lord Srikrishna. In devotional practice, one should consider him-
self a female, the male being the Lord of the universe, as reflected in
the heart of every man.
The Gopis heard the music and went to Sri Krishna.
If you are of the world, go back to the world. But no, the
Gopis were not of the world. They had every right to the union.
And Sri Krishna could not deny them His companionship. Nay, it
was a great thing to the Lord Himself that Jivas should return to
Him with all their spiritual experiences that the Universe might be
served and protected. The concession was natural, the joy was
mutual. But in the midst of the union itself, there is a danger, a
most subtle danger, that of Egoism, "I am in union with the Lord."
The first and the last weakness of humanity, this I-ness is a draw-
back even in the highest spiritual life of man. The Gopis thought of
themselves and there was an instant break in the union. The Lord
disappeared. The Lord incarnated for the good of the Universe and
not of individuals, and if individuals were dear to Him it was for the
sake of the Universe. He was no special property of the Gopis;
What did the Gopis do? They imitated his actions on the Earth.
They followed His footsteps whereever found. They approached the
Lord as much as they could in idea.
At last they broke out, "Thou art surely not the son of a Gopi.
Thou art the inmost seer of all beings. Implored by Brahma thou
hast appeared, O friend in the line of the Satvatas, for the protection
of the Universe."
The Gopis now realised that the Lord they wanted to be
united to was the Lord of the Universe. His mission was the pro-
tection of the universe. Could they share with Him? It was then
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v?