Sri Krishna meeting Gopis in Dwaraka

Dwaraka: Sri Krishna meeting Gopis in Dwaraka:

(Skanda Purana - Dwaraka Mahatmya - 12 to 13)

• Sri Krishna and the Gopis in Dwaraka: I meditate on Sri Krishna meeting the Gopis in Dwaraka and making a Lake in their name (Gopracharaka Teertha or Gopi Lake).

• After killing Kamsa and making Ugrasena the king, Sri Krishna sent Uddhava to Gokula to get the news of Nanda-Yashoda, and the Gopis. When Uddhava (dressed similarly as Krishna) met Nanda and Yashoda they wept profusely being reminded of Sri Krishna. Uddhava consoled them saying that Sri Krishna and Balarama will come to Gokula one day and Sri Krishna always remembers them.

• When Uddhava met the Gopis, they chided Sri Krishna for his cruel heart, and then started piteously crying due to the separation from Krishna. Uddhava was unable to console them adequately. The Gopis requested Uddhava to take them to Sri Krishna. Finding no other option, Uddhava told them to follow him to Dwarka. The Gopis followed Uddhava remembering and talking about Sri Krishna on the way.

• When Uddhava reached Dwarka, he told the Gopis to wait near the Maya Lake and went to fetch Sri Krishna. Sri Krishna came there dressed in a handsome manner. Seeing Sri Krishna, the Gopis were overwhelmed with emotion. Sri Krishna gave them spiritual instruction that he is in everyone's heart and is hence never separated from them. The Gopis calmed down to some extent but still they were not fully freed from distress. Sri Krishna told them to take bath in the Maya Lake telling about how the lake was created by Mayasura and the merits of taking bath in it. By taking bath in the Maya Lake along with Sri Krishna, the Gopis calmed down and were filled with bliss.

• The Gopis then asked Sri Krishna to build a Lake in their name. Sri Krishna complied and built a beautiful Lake beside the Maya Lake. He named the Lake as Gopracara. The Gopis then requested Sri Krisha to visit that Lake regularly. Sri Krishna again agreed and then told about the merit of those who take bath in that Lake. Being satisfied, the Gopis returned to their place and Sri Krishna and Uddhava returned to Dwaraka.