Look at the Gopis (milk
maids of Gokulam) and their yearning for the Lord! They never
swerved from the path of Bhakti, of continuous Smarana
(remembrance) of the Lord. When in pain you shout ‘Ayyo,
appa or amma,” but the Gopis always called
on Krishna only, whether in joy or in grief. A Gopi
was moving along the streets of Brindavan selling butter and
ghee and milk; but she was not crying aloud the names of her
ware; she was calling aloud the names of Krishna, “Govinda!
Damodara! Maadhava!” The Gopis forgot the very
purpose of their visit to Brindavan, their very livelihood,
their task of selling and earning. They stood watching Krishna,
running along with a hoop and ignoring all else, they ran
behind Him with a ball of butter in the hand, offering it
to the Divine child who had captured their hearts, calling
on Him to receive the gift; “Govinda! Damodara! Maadhava!”
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