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Appendix C
The Bhagavatha
and the Love of the Gopis
For those who want a more in-depth description of the gopis' love for Krishna, I am including Sai Baba’s description from the Bhagavatha Vahini. In this section, Sai Baba is narrating what Sage Suka told King Parikshith about the love of the gopis for Krishna. Swami explains that Sage Suka is no ordinary man. I am moved with devotion upon reading Swami’s description of Sage Suka, it is filled with such charm and holiness. This section is also a good introduction to the Bhagavatha. So let us begin with Swami’s introduction of Sage Suka.
King Parikshith asks a gathering of sages what the man for whom death is imminent can best do. He is not pleased with the answers. Then appears Suka. Swami describes the event.
(Swami) "A youth ascetic, with an extraordinarily bright face, and a personality of aractive splendor, moved through the gathering of aged sages like a fast stream of light, and reaching the presence of the King he seated himself on a height. The onlookers were amazed at this sudden appearance. Some among them were stricken with curiosity about his antecedents. To all outward appearances, he was a son of an ascetic. But his stance, his pose and poise, his personality—all affirmed that he was a master. In years he was quite tender. Yet, there was a divine halo bathing him.
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