Gopi ( sa, गोपी, ) or Gopika in Hinduism are worshipped as the consorts and devotees of Krishna within the Vaishnavism and Krishnaism traditions for their unconditional love and devotion (''

Bhakti ''Bhakti'' ( sa, भक्ति) literally means "attachment, participation, fondness for, homage, faith, love, devotion, worship, purity".See Monier-Williams, ''Sanskrit Dictionary'', 1899. It was originally used in Hinduism, referring to d ...

'') to god Krishna as described in the Sanskrit scriptures like

Bhagavata Purana The ''Bhagavata Purana'' ( sa, भागवतपुराण; ), also known as the ''Srimad Bhagavatam'', ''Srimad Bhagavata Mahapurana'' or simply ''Bhagavata'', is one of Hinduism's eighteen great Puranas (''Mahapuranas''). Composed in Sa ...

and other Puranic literature. Gopis are often considered as the expansion of goddess

Radha Radha ( sa, राधा, ), also called Radhika, is a Hindu goddess and the chief consort of the god Krishna. She is worshiped as the goddess of love, tenderness, compassion, and devotion. She is the avatar of goddess Lakshmi and is also de ...

, the chief consort of Krishna. The

Raslila The rasalila (), also rendered the raslila or the ras dance, is part of the traditional story of Krishna described in Hindu scriptures such as the Bhagavata Purana and literature such as the Gita Govinda, where he dances with Radha and the gopis ...

of gopis with Krishna has inspired various traditional performance art forms and literatures. According to Indian philosopher,

Jiva Goswami Jiva Goswami ( sa, जीव गोस्वामी, Jīva Gosvāmī; ) was an Indian philosopher and saint from the Gaudiya Vaishnava school of Vedanta tradition, producing a great number of philosophical works on the theology and practice ...

, gopis are considered as the eternal beloved and manifestation of the internal spiritual potency of Krishna. Among the gopis,

is the chief gopi and is the personification of bliss potency (''hladini shakti'') of Krishna. She alone manifest the stage of "''Mahabhav"'' or supreme love for Krishna and holds a place of particularly high reverence and importance in a number of religious traditions.

Etymology

Gopi (गोपी) is a Sanskrit word originating from the word Gopa. In Hinduism, the name ''Gopika'' or ''Gopi'' is especially used to refer the milkmaids of Braj region.

Prominent gopis

The prominent ''gopis'' of Vrindavan are total 108 in numbers. They share the eternal intimate friendship with Radha Krishna. No one can equal or exceed the love they bear for the divine couple. Out of 108 gopis, the primary eight gopis are considered as the foremost of Krishna's devotees after goddess

Radharani Radha ( sa, राधा, ), also called Radhika, is a Hindu goddess and the chief consort of the god Krishna. She is worshiped as the goddess of love, tenderness, compassion, and devotion. She is the avatar of goddess Lakshmi and is also de ...

who is considered as the chief of gopis. Their names are as follows: *

(Chief gopi, Krishna's favourite) * Lalita * Vishakha * Champakalata * Chitra * Tungavidya * Indulekha * Rangadevi * Sudevi All the eight primary gopis are together called as the ''Ashtasakhis'' (eight friends) of Radha and Krishna.

Unconditional love

According to Hindu Vaishnava theology, the stories concerning the gopis are said to exemplify '' Suddha-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 the

, within Krishna's Vrindavan pastimes and also in the stories of the sage Uddhava.

Gallery

Radha and Krishna by DHURANDHAR MV.jpg, Gopika

with Gopal Krishna, a 1915 painting Bodleian Library Indian paintings MS. Douce Or. a.3 fol31r.jpg, Krishna and Gopis, 18th century watercolour in the

Bodleian Library The Bodleian Library () is the main research library of the University of Oxford, and is one of the oldest libraries in Europe. It derives its name from its founder, Sir Thomas Bodley. With over 13 million printed items, it is the second- ...

India, Rajasthan, Jaipur, 19th century - Krishna and Gopis - 1946.359 - Cleveland Museum of Art.tif, 19th century Rajasthan painting depicting Krishna and Gopis The Gopis Plead with Krishna to Return Their Clothing Folio from a Bhagavata Purana (Ancient Stories of Lord Vishnu) series. 1610 Metmuseum.jpg, 1610 painting of Krishna stealing clothes of Gopis Krishna dances in the Raslila with the Gopis.jpg,

of Krishna with

and gopis Gopi Talab Dwarka during Dwaraka DWARASPDB 2015 (19).jpg, Gopi Talab dedicated to gopis in Dwarka

References

External links