Gopi (Template:Lang-sa, IAST: Gopi) 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) to god Krishna as described in the Sanskrit scriptures like Bhagavata Purana and other Puranic literature.[2] Gopis are often considered as the expansion of goddess Radha, the chief consort of Krishna.[3] The Raslila of gopis with Krishna has inspired various traditional performance art forms and literatures.[4]
| Gopis | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Other names | Krishnasakhi, Krishnapreyasi |
| Devanagari | गोपी |
| Sanskrit transliteration | Gopi |
| Venerated in | Radha Vallabh Sampradaya, Nimbarka Sampradaya, Gaudiya Vaishnavism, Pushtimarg |
| Affiliation | Avatar of Radha,[1] Krishnaism, Vaishnavism |
| Abode | Goloka, Vrindavan, Barsana |
| Texts | Brahma Vaivarta Purana, Garga Sanhita, Gita Govinda, Bhagavata Purana, Thiruppavai |
| Gender | Female |
| Region | Braj region |
| Temple | Ashtasakhi Temple in Vrindavan |
| Festivals | Sharad Purnima, Kartik Purnima, Holi, Lathmar Holi |
| Genealogy | |
| Born | |
| Consort | Krishna |
According to Indian philosopher, Jiva Goswami, gopis are considered as the eternal beloved and manifestation of the internal spiritual potency of Krishna. Among the gopis, Radha is the chief gopi and is the personification of bliss potency (hladini shakti) of Krishna.[5] 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.[6]
Etymology
Gopi (गोपी) is a Sanskrit word originating from the word Gopa. In Hinduism, the name Gopika (feminine form of Gopi) is especially used to refer the milkmaids of Braj region.[7]
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.[8] Out of 108 gopis, the primary eight gopis are considered as the foremost of Krishna's devotees after goddess Radharani who is considered as the chief of gopis. Their names are as follows:[9]
- Radha (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
_-_Krishna,_Radha_and_Gopis_-_71.333_-_Detroit_Institute_of_Arts.jpg)
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 Bhagavata Purana, within Krishna's Vrindavan pastimes and also in the stories of the sage Uddhava.[9]
Gallery
-
-
Krishna and Gopis, 18th century watercolour in the Bodleian Library -
19th century Rajasthan painting depicting Krishna and Gopis -
1610 painting of Krishna stealing clothes of Gopis -
-
Gopi Talab dedicated to gopis in Dwarka
_series._1610_Metmuseum.jpg)
.jpg)
See also
References
- ^ Phyllis G. Jestice (2004). Holy People of the World: A Cross-cultural Encyclopedia. ABC-CLIO. pp. 316–317. ISBN 1576073556.
- ^ Walters, Holly (2016-12-01). "Playing God: Participant Frameworks in the Ras Lilas of Krishna". The Journal of Religion and Popular Culture. 28 (2–3): 135–144. doi:10.3138/jrpc.28.2-3.3611. ISSN 1703-289X. S2CID 192161968.
- ^ Jestice, Phyllis G. (2004). Holy People of the World: A Cross-cultural Encyclopedia. ABC-CLIO. pp. 316–317. ISBN 978-1-57607-355-1.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ Mohapatra, J. (2013). Wellness In Indian Festivals & Rituals. Partridge Publishing. p. 164. ISBN 978-1-4828-1690-7.
- ^ Mohanty, Prafulla Kumar (2003). "Mask and Creative Symbolisation in Contemporary Oriya Literature : Krishna, Radha and Ahalya". Indian Literature. 47 (2 (214)): 181–189. ISSN 0019-5804. JSTOR 23341400.
- ^ Francis Bryant, Edwin (2007). Krishna: A Sourcebook. United States of America: Oxford University Press. p. 382. ISBN 978-019-514891-6.
- ^ Walters, Holly (2016-12-01). "Playing God: Participant Frameworks in the Ras Lilas of Krishna". The Journal of Religion and Popular Culture. 28 (2–3): 135–144. doi:10.3138/jrpc.28.2-3.3611. ISSN 1703-289X. S2CID 192161968.
- ^ "Gopis".
- ^ a b Ph.D, Lavanya Vemsani (2016-06-13). Krishna in History, Thought, and Culture: An Encyclopedia of the Hindu Lord of Many Names: An Encyclopedia of the Hindu Lord of Many Names. United States of America: ABC-CLIO. pp. 107–108. ISBN 978-1-61069-211-3.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
External links
