Mood of the Gopis

Lately I've been reading this book called Krsnahnika Kaumudi I found in Mother Vanni's store and came to love the stories in it. It's by Srila Kavi-karnapura. It's like an extension or sequel to the Krsna book almost. It describes the different pasttimes of Radha and Krishna and gives the time of day of when each pasttime happened. I found the stories in it fascinating. It's a very thin book but fun to read. I found some of the stories humourous as well. I think I may show this book to Maharaj and see what he thinks about it. I do have some questions to ask him if I see him tomorrow. It says in the Bhagavad Gita to surrender to a guru and to ask him questions about spiritual life and render service unto him. This book I think is starting to help me think of more spiritual questions to ask Maharaj. I never seem to come up with any good questions my mind normally goes blank.

But anyways. As I was reading this book I was finding myself asking these questions about the mood of the Gopis. The mood of the Gopis is so highly elevated it  bewilders me at times and Im stumped. Like I thought of this question. How can one talk about Krishna and nothing else in this material world and develope the mood of the Gopis? It is so easy to get caught up in mundane talk or gossip about nonsense stuff. Im guitly of it I know Im not afraid to admit it. So how to avoid that problem? Maybe my Bhakti Yoga needs to be stronger here in New Vrndavan or something. It's strong in Toronto but not here where I am now yet.  I've got all these questions reeling through my head. That's another thing too. Maya constantly captures us so this why I keep thinking these questions. Im not sure if I have asked my guru these types of questions or not but I am sure he won't mind answering them again he may have a different answer to help me understand. Other devotees may have different answers to these questions, which is why i prefer to ask my guru Maharaj first and see what he says. When he explains something I can understand him easily. He gives very good examples.

Also the Gopis also see Krishna as if They never saw Him before or are meeting Him for  the first time. So how to get myself to also get that same feeling? I remember when I first came to New Vrndavan, being captured by the beautiful form of Lord Krishna in the temple room standing before the devotees in Deity form. I literally was frozen stiff sitting on the floor and couldn't move as I was stunned by Krishna's beauty. I may experience this again when i get to Toronto as I had not seen Sri Sri Radha Gopinatha in a long time...three months and to me that seems like it's been so much longer than three months. And when I saw Sri Sri Radha Gopinatha for the first time in Toronto I felt my heart was stolen away by Them and still is now. So here is another question reeling through my head. Is it allowed to have a favorite set of Deities in a Temple? And why does one feel more captured with their favorite Deity at a different temple than the one they are staying at when all the Deities are non different from Krishna Himself? Maybe that's my trouble. Im having a bit if difficulty realizing that everything is Krishna because maya is still clouding my vision which is annoying. For some reason Sri Sri Radha Gopinatha captured my heart so much more...and I still love Radha Vrndavan Chandra a lot too though at the same time. Maybe my guru Maharaj can help me sort this out.  why I didn't think of these questions while he was here in New Vrndavan is beyond me.

But hopefully I'll learn alot more when Im in Toronto about the Gopis and have more questions for Maharaj about them. I am curious to know so much more about them and their feelings for Krishna. :) Maybe can try to find another book abot the Gopis to help me understand them. :)