The Story of the Demigoddesses
In the Garga Samhita, Sri Narada Muni explains to Sri Bahulashva, the story of the demigoddesses that became gopis, a story that grants the four goals of life and increases one’s love for Lord Krishna.
In Malava-Desha there was a great gopa-king named Nanda-Divaspati. He was righteous and wealthy, and he had a thousand wives.
As he was going on pilgrimage, he arrived in Mathura. When he heard of Vraja’s King Nanda, he went to Gokul. He met King Nanda, and he saw the beauty of Vrindavana. With Nanda’s permission, the noble-hearted king made his residence there.
Having made a sixteen-mile place for his cows, King Divaspati and his relatives lived happily.
By Devala Muni’s words, all the demigoddesses were born as his daughters, daughters splendid like flames in a blazing fire.
When they saw handsome Krishna, they were bewildered with love for Him. To attain Him they performed the great vow of Magha-Vrata.
As they bathed at sunrise in the Yamuna, these girls of Vraja, who had fallen in love with Krishna, every day loudly sang of Lord Krishna’s pastimes.
The month of Magha (January-February) is very cold, they performed austerities bathing in cold Yamuna water, singing Lord Krishna’s pastimes to please Lord Krishna.
Pleased with them, Lord Krishna said to them, “Please ask for a benediction.” Slowly bowing down with folded hands, these girls spoke to Krishna.
The gopis said: “Even the great kings of the yogis cannot attain You. You are the master of all, the first cause of all causes. Holding a flute, and more handsome than Kamadeva, please always stay before our eyes.”
Lord Krishna said, “So be it.” He was always before them. He appeared in their heart and He appeared before their eyes as if they had just called Him.
Shri Krishna, and no one else is the original Supreme Personality of Godhead. Coming to this world to do one thing, He did millions of other things as well.
I worship most intelligent Krishna who, with a peacock-feather crown, swinging earrings, a yellow sash about His waist, and a stick and flute in His hand, is dressed as a graceful-shouldered dancer.
Shri Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is conquered by love and devotion. These gopis are the proof of this. Although they never followed the paths of yoga or Sankhya, they attained Lord Krishna’s company.