Garga Bhagavatham : Golok khanda - Chapter 4
Description of characteristics of Nanada ; Introduction of Gopi Yoothas; Description of the pre-ordained boons which resulted in the Vedas to attain Gopi-bhaava.
Sri Bhagavan said:- Brahma! My companions named Subal and Sridaamaa will be born in the houses of Nand and Upanand. Like this, my other companions Sthokakrishna, Arjun, Amshu, and others, will also appear in the homes of nine Nandas. In my flock there are six Vrishabanus, in their homes my other companions Vishaal, Rishab, Tejaswi, Devaprasth, and Varuthap will appear,
Brahma asked:- Oh! Lord, who are called Nand and Upanand, and what are the characteristics of Vrishabanu?
Sri Bhagavan said:- He who always lives in cowsheds and look after the cows, which is his only occupation, is called a Gopal. Now listen to his characteristics. A Gopal, who has nine lakh cows under his care is called a *Nand*. A Gopal, who has five lakh cows under his care is known as *Upanand*. One who has ten lakh cows under his care is called *Vrishabanu*. The caretaker of fifty lakh cows is known as *Vrishabanuvar*. The beautifully dressed and bejeweled Chandranana will have a hundred *Yooth* (Flocks) of lovely Gopilas.
Brahma asked:- Lord! You are the protector of all the ordinary human beings and the cause of the world (Nature), please explain to me the characteristics of *Yooth* (Flocks).
Sri Bhagavan said:- Brahma! sages have said ten crores are one "Arbudh '' and ten Arbudhs are one Yooth .Some Gopikas here live in Golok, some of them are dwarapalikas.
Some prepare scented cosmetics; some engaged in arranging beds; some come inside and look after Vrindavan.
Some Gopikas reside in Govardhan. Many gopikas are beautifying Kunjvan. Many gopikas are living in my palace. All of them will have to live in my Vraj. Like this, Ganga and Yamuna also have "Yooth" Just like this, Ramaa, Madhumaadhavi, Vraja, Vishaka, and Maya will have Yooth. In this way, in my flock eight, sixteen, and thirty-two sakhis will also have Yooth. In many previous yugas, those women, wives of sages, women of Ayodhya, Sita, beautiful girls of Kosala kingdom, and blessed girls to whom I have given boons are all present in my flock as Gopikas.
Brahma asked:- Oh ! Lord, what are the good deeds these women have done to get your boon and the fortune to live here for any Yogis?
Sri Bhagavan said:- In olden days, Shrutis(Vedas) went to Shwetha island and performed penance to see my original Parabrahma form. Then the huge and massive Lord was pleased and appeared before them and said
Sri Hari said:- Maidens, whatever boon you want, you can ask. What is there that I can not give when I am pleased.
The women asked:- O Lord! We cannot imagine Your original form, which the most learned people say is the only happiness. Please show us that from here itself. O Lord, if you want to give us a boon, please provide this.
Listening to this, the Lord showed them the most beautiful sight of Golokdham. That place was resplendent with all the lovely objects. There was the Vrindavan garden with beautiful Kalpaka vriksha trees with colorful birds and bees flying around. The lovely well dressed Gopikas were roaming around. There was the Govardhan mountain with magnificent caves. The mountain was full of precious metals and gems. Deer were running around. The holy river, Yamuna was flowing in full splendor, and both the banks of the river were filled with gems. Beautiful Gopikas beautified the whole place, and amidst them, the Graceful Lord Sri Krishna was seated.
After showing this sight, the Lord said, " I have shown you my world there is no better sight than this. What else is there that I can give you."
The women said:- Lord, after seeing your form, which is equivalent to a crore Kamadevas, we very much want to be with you. We want to be in your world like these gopikas and serve you.
Sri Hari said:- Ladies! Your wish is very rare and unfathomable. Anyway as I have granted you a boon, it will be fulfilled. Later on, when Brahma creates a new world, I will be your love on the earth in Raasamandal at Mathura in Bharatha Kanda. There will be divine love between us, which will be higher than the greatest love. Then your wish will be fulfilled.
Sri Bhagavan said:- In the previous yuga, I have given the boons which will be fulfilled. Now listen to me about the other gopikas.
In Tretayuga, I had taken the avatar of Rama. Sri Rama broke the bow in Sita's swayamvara. On that occasion, the girls of Janakapuri fell in love with Rama; they all expressed their love for Rama. At that time Sri Rama tells them, 'Do not be sad. At the end of Dwapara yuga, I will fulfill your wishes. All of you be pure, pious, and do good deeds. You will have the good fortune to become Gopis in Vraj'. After giving this boon, Sri Rama proceeded to Ayodhya with Sita. On the way, he defeated Parasurama. The girls saw the valor and handsomeness of Sri Rama and mentally married him. Knowing this, Rama blessed them in his mind and thought, 'I will make you all Gopis, and fulfill your wish'.
Sri Rama reached Ayodhya with Sita and his army. Hearing this, all the girls in Ayodhya came to see him and fainted at the sight of his handsome looks. They all started doing penance to attain Rama. Then a voice from heaven told them, at the end of Dwapara yuga on the banks of Yamuna river, and your wishes will come true. There is no doubt about it.
When Rama went to Dandakaranya, Sita and Laxmana also went with him. He was carrying his bow and roaming around the forest. There were many sages. They all wanted to see the Lord as Gopala. They were praying for taking part in the Rasa Leela. Sri Rama was very handsome with his locks of hair and a bow in his hand. The sages were attracted by Rama, who came from their abode. The sages were devotees of the Lord in the form of Gopala. They were surprised to see Rama, who came in a different form. Their concentration was broken when they saw Rama, who was as handsome as a thousand Kamadevas. They said, ' Oh! Today our Gopal has come without his cane and flute. Thinking thus, they prostrated before Rama and started praising him.
Rama said:- Sages ask for a boon. Hearing this they all asked in unison 'Please give us the same kind of love that you are giving to Sita'
Sri Rama said:- If your wish is to be one of my brothers like Lakshmana then you wish will be fulfilled by me immediately, but your wish to be equal to Sita, which is very difficult and impossible as I have taken a vow to be the husband of only one woman. And I have the name of being a very honorable man, but if you respect my boon, I will fulfill your wish at the end of Dwapara yuga.
After giving this boon, he began to live in Parna Kutir(hermitage) to spend the rest of his required life in the forest. At that time, the tribal girls also fell in love with Rama. They went to the extremity of putting the mud under the feet of Rama on their heads and got ready to give up their lives. At that time, Rama went to them in the disguise of a Brahmachari (unmarried man) and told them ' Maidens, you are giving up your lives needlessly. I will fulfill your wish at the end of Dwapara yuga.' Saying thus, Rama left that place.
After this, Sugriva and other prominent monkeys went to Lanka and defeated Ravana and other demon kings. After this, He went back to Ayodhya with Sita and Laxmana in the Pushpaka Vimana. He was ably ruling the kingdom, but due to the unjustified allegation against Sita, he sent her back to the forest. It is very sad that such wicked people exist in this world.
Whenever Rama performed a Yagna (ritual sacrifice) in the palace, a golden statue of Sita would be formed. Thus the palace was full of Sita's statues.
Those statues of Sita asked Rama, 'we all want to serve you. Our names are also Sita of Mithilapuri. We will also be faithful wives like Sita. You are a very noble person who follows the Vedas. How can you act in such an unjustified way? If you disown Sita after marrying her, you are committing a great sin.'
Sri Rama said:- Sitas! What you are telling me is very true and justified. But I have taken the vow to be the husband of a single woman, and people call me a ' Raja rishi,' and I can not break the vow. Only one Sita is my wife. I will fulfill your wish at the end of Dwapara yuga at Vrindavan, please come there, and your wishes will be fulfilled.
Bhagavan Sri Hari said:- These Sitas who came out of the rituals are the Gopikas. Now listen about the other gopikas.
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