13. Ratha Yatra and the Vraja Gopis

13. Ratha Yatra and the Vraja Gopis:

For Gaudiya Vaishnavas, Ratha-yatra is deeply connected with Bhagavan Sri Krsna's visit to Kuruksetra and His loving exchanges with the Vraja- gopis whom He met there. In this regard, Srila Prabhupada once said, "If anyone sincerely sees the Ratha-yatrā festival and understands how Krsna visited Kuruksetra along with His brother and sister, that is very nice. That is Krsna consciousness." (SP 710803SB.LON)

The following article from BTG magazine wonderfully depicts Sri Krsna's pastime at Kurukshetra: 

"Hearing that Krsna would be at Kurukshetra for the solar eclipse, all Vrndāvana prepared to go. Loading gifts and belongings on ox carts, the simple rural cowherd boys, girls, men, and women made their way north to the gala royal assembly. Religion and diplomacy were not high on their agenda. They wanted only to see Krsna and Balarama, their life and soul.

They arrived at Kurukshetra to a warm welcome from the Yadus, who were their intimate friends and relatives. Inquiring about each other's well- being, everyone cried in jubilation while their smiling faces bloomed like lotus flowers. Both parties were great devotees of Krsna, and their talk turned around Him. The Yadus, despite their regal opulence and their participation in the lofty religious rituals at Kurukshetra, had no interest in wealth or piety. In all their duties and activities their sole object of devotion was Krsna. And as for the residents of Vrndāvana, they circulated in the dazzling grandeur of the Kurukshetra assembly with eyes only for Krsna, their dearmost cowherd boy.

Nanda and Yaśodā's affection for Krsna was so strong that despite hearing Krsna praised by the assembled kings as the omnipotent and omnipresent Supreme Lord, they thought of Krsna only as their little child. At the first opportunity, they took Krsna and Balarama aside to talk, placing the grown princes on their laps like eight-year-olds.

The gopis, though also not denying Krsna's royalty or His position as the Supreme, were interested less than anyone in these trappings. They were overjoyed to see Krsna again, but the hubbub at Kurukshetra was a distraction.

The crowds of people, along with horses, elephants, and the din of huge chariots moving here and there, left little room for intimacy. Krsna wore the formal attire of a prince and moved in the company of military officers. Drawing Krsna away from the crowds, the gopis requested Him to return with them to Vrndāvana. Vrndavana was quiet, they pointed out, with beautiful streams and flower gardens. You could hear the buzzing of bees and the chirping of birds. Krsna need not dress up in all this finery or take part in all these ceremonious matters. In Vrndavana the gopis and Krsna could be alone together again.

Though Krsna regretfully explained that He could not yet fulfill the gopis' request, and although after a three-month visit with His dear childhood family and friends He returned to Dwaraka, the gopis forever aspired to have Him back. They longed to leave Kurukshetra with Krsna in His grand royal chariot, pulling Him with them down the road to Vrndāvana." (BTG 36042002)

"The Ratha-yatră festival observed by Lord Caitanya is the emotional process of taking Krsna back to Vrndāvana, Srimati Rädhäräni refused to go with Krsna to Dvarakā to enjoy His company in the atmosphere of royal opulence, for Radha wanted to enjoy Krsna's company in the original Vrndávana atmosphere." (Srila Prabhupada KB 82) "At the Ratha-yatră festival, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, absorbed in the ecstasy of Srimati Rädhäräni, dragged Lord Krsna back to Vrndávana-dhama." (Cc. 2.16.281)