The gopas were a tribe of holy shepherds living in Gokul. Nanda and Yashoda were their king and queen respectively. The female shepherds or the wives of the gopas were called gopis. All the gopis had a great attraction for little Krishna. They knew that Krishna dearly loved butter and curd. So, the gopis would collect the butter and curd in earthen vessels. They would hang the vessels in their houses so that Krishna might visit their houses to eat the butter and curd stealthily. Krishna very well understood the gopis’ desire. So he used to visit the houses of the gopis along with his friends. He would break the vessels to steal and eat the delicious butter and curd. When the gopis saw the floors of their houses all messed, they would go to Yashoda to complain against Krishna. They never intended that Krishna should be scolded or beaten for his behaviour. Their motive was to go to Nanda’s place to see the cute little Krishna. Therefore, when mother Yashoda scolded Krishna for stealing the butter and curd, the gopis would themselves request Yashoda not to scold little Krishna. This way, the gopis played with little Krishna and showed their immense love for him.
KRISHNA AND THE GOPIS
