If even the gopis’ lost hope in separation from Krishna, what is the hope for us?

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So, the Gopis, when Krishna left Vrindavan, they lost hope, but somehow, they kept holding on to Krishna. They went through great agony. So, this agony doesn’t seem, in many ways, relishable, at all.
And, even the Gopis can sometimes lose hope, then what is the hope for us, in our practicing bhakti? As I started the class, by explaining that, love is, both through, express through both attention, and recollection. And, in a sense, love, in separation, is love, intensified manifold. I am going to speak this, elaborately in a later class, but I just mentioned it briefly, that, separation, does to love, what, wind does to fire.
If there is a forest fire, here, there are bush fires often in, so, if there is a big fire, and if there is, stormy wind at that time, what will happen? Fire spreads. So, like that, for the Gopis, their love for Krishna, was like a blazing forest fire, and separation from Krishna, was a stormy wind, and that, intensified their love, much, much more. And, in fact, Krishna, himself, at various places, in the Vidakta Mata, or Lalit Mata, or various places, Krishna explains, how, the, intensity of the absorption, in his remembrance, that the Gopis had, that is unparalleled.
And that absorption, Krishna, is what, defines the Gopis, as the highest devotees. Now, of course, we shouldn’t think that, okay, if I become separated, from devotees, my devotion will also increase. No.
We have to think, same metaphor applies, in another way also. You know, if there is a stormy wind, and instead of a fire, we have a candle. The candle means, we are extinguished.
So, our love for Krishna, right now, is like a candle. So, it’s not like, a blazing forest fire. So, if we go away, from devotee association, our affection often gets, weakened, often extinguished.
So, we need association, very much. But, the principle is there, that love, that separation, can intensify love. And because, the Gopis’ love, was intensified so much, that’s why, they, they are considered, the exalted devotee.
And when we say, they lost hope, now, they lost hope, does not mean, that they gave up on Krishna. They always loved Krishna, but they thought, that maybe Krishna, will never come back. If they had completely, just lost hope, you know, they could have very well, given up their bodies.
So, there is a beautiful prayer, in the Chaitanya Charita, where Radharani says, that Krishna, from the moment, you left me, and went away, since my body, has become like, a blazing forest fire. And, this forest fire, of separation from you, my soul, is burning. And, I am like an ape, an animal is trapped, in a cage, and the cage is set on fire.
The animal, is coerced, from all sides. The only hope, for the animal, is somehow, open the bolt, of the cage, and rush out. So, it’s like that, Krishna, the only relief for me, when I am burning, in separation from you, is that, I give up this body.
But, your words, that I will come back, your words, I will come back, are like the bolt, to the cage. Because, you said, you will come back, and if you come back, and I am not there, then you will feel, disappointed. I want to be there, to serve you, when you come back, and for that sake, I live on.
So, all the Gopis, were in great agony, but still, they lived on, because they wanted, to serve Krishna, when he came back. That’s what makes them, exalted devotees. And, as far as, our sadhana bhakti, is concerned, we need to have, around us, association, that gives us hope, and encouragement.
We need, those devotees, who understand us, and those who, guide us, and especially, encourage us. Because, all of us, will at different times, slip, fall, and at that time, someone has to lift us up. If we don’t, if no one lifts us up, then we will, often, lose our faith, and lose our hope.
We may give up, the practice of bhakti. If a devotee, lapses and falls, she is showing that, it’s like a soldier, fighting on a war, getting wounded. Now, a soldier, who is wounded, needs to be sent, to the hospital, not to the prison.
Isn’t it? Sometimes, if devotees, have some difficulties, people become, very judgmental. Oh, this person has fallen away, this person has gone, into maya, this person has deviated. Now, that is like somebody, who has become wounded, everybody struggles, with their faith, everybody struggles, with their desires, and temptations.
Somebody gets wounded, a wounded person, is to be taken to the hospital, not to the jail. So, if somebody has some problems, in spiritual life, we should not judge them, and condemn them. Rather, we try to help them, in whatever way we can.
And, when we say, we should, we also have to find out, in our devotee circle, who are those devotees, who are going to judge us, and condemn us, and we, we keep, distance from them. And, those devotees, who understand us, and encourage us, those are the associations, we should cherish. Even, if we have one devotee, like that, that itself can help us, to move onwards, in our spiritual life, to a substantial amount of storms.
So, our hope comes from Krishna, our hope comes from, the spiritual master, our hope comes from, Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who is the Mahavadanya Avatar. But, all that mercy, needs to also manifest, to us, in a way, that is accessible. And, that accessibility means, that we don’t need to remember, their mercifulness, but, we also need, someone in the devotee association, who, understands, and cares for us.
Does it answer your question? Thank you. Yes. So, is that episode of, what we said,