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Significance of Gopi

In Vaishnavism, the term "Gopi" refers to the cowherd girls of Vrindavana who exemplify profound love and devotion towards Lord Krishna. These female devotees embody the highest ideals of devotion, engaging in intense emotional expressions of love and attachment, particularly during their separation from Krishna. They represent various aspects of divine love and are central to the narratives surrounding the Rasa dance and Krishna's playful pastimes. The gopis are revered figures in Hindu mythology for their unwavering affection towards the divine.1
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The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.

Hindu concept of 'Gopi'

Hinduism Books

In Hinduism, Gopis are cowherd girls and female devotees of Krishna, representing deep, unconditional love and devotion. They exemplify intimate relationships with the divine, participating in playful interactions and significant spiritual narratives surrounding Krishna.

Significance in Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma):
Vaishnavism Books

From: Garga Samhita (English)

(1) A group of female devotees who are close to Radha and are also comforted.[1] (2) Female cowherds or companions of Krishna, symbolizing divine love and devotion.[2] (3) Refers to the female companions or friends of Radha, who are involved in the described actions of carrying and caring for her.[3] (4) The cowherd women of Vrindavan, to whom the Balarama-kavaca was originally given by Garga Muni.[4] (5) The term refers to the female devotees of Lord Krishna, who are central to many of his pastimes.[5]

From: Chaitanya Bhagavata

(1) Cowherd girls in Vedic tradition, exemplifying pure devotion and love for Lord Krishna, inspiring the mood of worship and service.[6] (2) Divine female devotees of the Lord, often referenced in the context of loving worship and service.[7] (3) A cowherd girl in Hindu mythology, often associated with devotion and love for Krishna.[8] (4) The beloved female companions of Krishna, integral to the narratives and themes of devotion and love found in the rasa-lila.[9] (5) The female devotees of Krishna who are depicted with deep love and devotion, significant in the context of the rasa-lila.[10]

From: Bhajana-Rahasya

(1) The female cowherds of Vrindavan, symbolizing pure, unconditional love and devotion to divine figures, particularly Krishna.[11] (2) The young female devotees of Krishna, who are deeply immersed in love and service towards Him.[12] (3) The cowherd women of Vrindavana who are deeply devoted to and in love with Krishna.[13] (4) Female cowherds in Vedic texts who are known for their deep and loving devotion to Krishna.[14] (5) Milkmaids and devotees of Krishna who are characterized by their deep love and devotion towards Him.[15]

From: Brihad Bhagavatamrita (commentary)

(1) Refers to the cowherd girls who are part of the beautiful adornments in the conceptual Vrindavana.[16] (2) The female devotees of Vraja who express deep affection and devotion, particularly towards the speaker, by embracing objects associated with him.[17] (3) The female devotees who are deeply devoted to Krishna, embodying the highest forms of love and devotion.[18] (4) The cowherd maidens who were abducted, representing devotion and love for Krishna.[19] (5) The female devotees and cowherd girls in Vrindavana who have deep affection and love for Shri Krishna.[20]

From: Tiruvaymoli (Thiruvaimozhi): English translation

(1) Refers to the cowherd girls in Vrindavan who share a deep, affectionate relationship with Lord Krishna, particularly during the 'Rasa Krida'.[21] (2) The female companions of Krishna, expressing their emotions and longing for him in the song.[22] (3) The collective group of female devotees who experience pangs of separation from Krishna, fearing his departure from their presence.[23] (4) The cowherd maidens of Vrindavan, who experience deep emotional attachment and longing for Lord Krishna.[24] (5) A group of female devotees in the context, known for their deep devotion and feelings for the Lord.[25]

From: Srila Gurudeva (The Supreme Treasure)

(1) The gopis represent devotees who exhibit a form of unconditional love for Krishna, often neglecting His divine status in favor of their intimate relationships with Him.[26] (2) Celestial cowherd girls in Vraja, who are devotees and companions of Krishna, often depicted in His pastimes.[27] (3) The cowherd girls of Vraja who have deep devotional love for Krishna, often described as being stolen from by Him.[28] (4) Divine female devotees of Krishna, known for their unparalleled love and devotion towards Him.[29] (5) Female companions of Krishna, including Lalita, Vishakha, Citra, and others who serve Radhika.[30]

From: Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu

(1) Female forms that the sages attained after desiring enjoyment with Lord Rama's form.[31] (2) The cowherd girls of Vrindavana, who represent the highest ideal of devotion and love for Krishna.[32] (3) The cowherd maidens of Vrindavan known for their devotion and love for Krishna.[33] (4) Divine cowherd girls in Hindu mythology who express deep affection and love for Shri Krishna.[34] (5) The female cowherds of Vraja who express their emotions through lusty desires towards Krishna.[35]

From: Haribhakti-sudhodaya

(1) Devotees of Krishna who exemplify pure love and devotion, enjoying a unique relationship with the divine.[36]

From: Chaitanya Mangala

(1) Divine cowherd maidens of Vrindavana who have deep devotion and love for Lord Krishna.[37]

Vaishnava or vaishnavism (vaishnavism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Vishnu as the supreme Lord. Similar to the Shaktism and Shaivism traditions, Vaishnavism also developed as an individual movement, famous for its exposition of the dashavatara (鈥榯en avatars of Vishnu鈥�).

Significance in Purana and Itihasa (epic history):
Purana Books

From: Devi Bhagavata Purana

(1) The Gopis are the female devotees of Lord Krishna who are known for their devotion and love for Him.[38] (2) Cowherd girls who are known for their deep devotion to Krishna and symbolize divine love in Hindu culture.[39] (3) The female devotees of Krishna in the Vrindavan tradition, each symbolizing different aspects of love and devotion.[40]

The Purana refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India鈥檚 vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

The concept of Gopi in local and regional sources

History Books

Gopi refers to the milkmaids of Brindavana, central to Krishna's love stories, embodying devotion and romantic interactions with him. They symbolize ideal divine love, representing selfless devotion and female companionship in Hindu mythology.

Significance in India history and geography:

From: Triveni Journal

(1) The milkmaids of Brindavana who are central figures in the love stories with Krishna, embodying devotion to him.[41] (2) The female cowherd companions of Krishna who share romantic and playful interactions with Him.[42] (3) The cowherd maidens in the context of the story, representing devotion and love for Krishna.[43] (4) Milkmaids of Vraj who exhibit profound and selfless love for Krishna, often exemplifying Madhura bhakti.[44] (5) Female characters in Hindu mythology, particularly associated with love and devotion towards Lord Krishna, symbolizing the ideal of divine love.[45]

From: Bhaktavijaya: Stories of Indian Saints

(1) Cow-herdesses with whom Krishna dances on the bank of the Jumna river.[46] (2) A female devotee of Krishna, with whom Narsi Mehta is associated in the narrative.[47]

From: The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda

(1) This is the period of Krishna's love to Gopis, as mentioned in the text. He was eleven years of age during this period.[48]