KRSNA STEALS THE GARMENTS OF THE UNMARRIED GOPIS
During the month of Margasirsa, every day early in the morning the young daughters of the cowherds would take one another’s hands and, singing of Krsna’s transcendental qualities, go to the Yamuna to bathe. Desiring to obtain Krsna as their husband, they would then worship the goddess Katyayani with incense, flowers, and other items.
One day the young gopis left their garments on the shore as usual and began playing in the water while chanting of Lord Krsna’s activities. Suddenly Krsna Himself came there, took away all the garments, and climbed a nearby kadamba tree. Wanting to tease the gopis, Krsna said, “I understand how fatigued you gopis are from your austerities, so please come onto the shore and take back your clothes.”
The gopis then pretended to become angry and said, “Dear Krsna, don’t be unfair! We know that You are the respectable son of Nanda and that You are honored by everyone in Vraja. You are also very dear to us. Please give us back our clothes. We are shivering in the cold water. O Syamasundara, we are Your maidservants and must do whatever You say. But give us back our clothing. You know what the religious principles are, and if You don’t give us our clothes we will have to tell the king. Please!” Sri Krsna replied, “If you girls are actually My maidservants, and if you will really do what I say, then come here with your innocent smiles and let each girl pick out her clothes. If you don’t do what I say, I won’t give them back to you. And even if the king becomes angry, what can he do? Then the girls, shivering from the cold, climbed out of the water with their two hands covering their private parts. Krsna felt great affection for them and said, “Because while executing a vow you bathed in the water naked, you have committed an offense against the demigods, and to counteract it you should offer obeisances with palms joined above your heads. Then your vow of austerity will achieve its full result.”
The gopis followed this instruction, and joining their palms in respect, offered obeisances to Sri Krsna. Satisfied, He returned their clothing. But the young girls had become so attracted to Him that they could not leave. Understanding their minds, Krsna said, “O saintly girls, I understand that your real motive in this austerity has been to worship Me. I approve this intent of yours, and indeed it must come to pass.
Go now, girls, and return to Vraja. Your desire is fulfilled, for in My company you will enjoy the coming nights in the rasa dance.”
PAINTING BY JADURANI – DEVI DASI (1984)