Part 6: The Wisdom of Divine Love

As the days and seasons in Vrindavan continued to flow, Radha's presence had become like a radiant beacon, illuminating the hearts of all who encountered her. There was a stillness in her now, a profound peace that seemed to transcend even the sorrows and joys of the world. Her love for Krishna, once expressed in wild longing and deep sorrow, had transformed into a quiet, all-encompassing devotion, a love that did not seek but simply was. It was an eternal current flowing through her soul, binding her to Krishna, to the earth, and to all living beings.

Her words, though few, were filled with wisdom. When she spoke, it was as though the universe itself paused to listen. People in Vrindavan, whether Gopis, village folk, or even wandering sages, came to seek her guidance. Many were drawn to her for her profound insight into love, longing, and devotion, but most of all, they were drawn to the radiant peace that surrounded her, a peace that could only come from knowing the divine.

One afternoon, as Radha walked through the forest near Vrindavan, she found herself surrounded by a group of Gopis who had gathered to meet her. There was a gentle excitement in the air, as they were eager to hear more from her about Krishna, about love, and about the divine mysteries that seemed to flow through her being like the sacred river Yamuna herself.

Gopi 1 (with reverence): “Radha, you speak of Krishna as though he is everywhere, in everything. We feel his presence in our hearts, yet we still long for him - his form, his touch, his smile. How do we reconcile this longing with the truth that you speak?”

Radha smiled gently, her eyes reflecting the infinite wisdom that now seemed to shine from within her. She turned toward the setting sun, its golden rays casting a soft glow on the earth, and spoke slowly, her voice like a soothing breeze.

Radha: “The longing you feel, my dear ones, is not a sign of absence. It is the echo of the soul’s call to the divine. Krishna’s form, his voice, his flute, are all reflections of a truth far greater than our senses can perceive. We long for him because our hearts know that we are not separate from him. But true devotion lies not in seeking the external, but in realizing that Krishna is already with us, within us.”

Gopi 2 (with wonder): “But how do we know he is within us? How do we feel his presence when he is not here in form?”

Radha paused, looking deeply into the eyes of the Gopi who had spoken. In her gaze, there was no judgment or sorrow, only the quiet understanding of one who had walked the path of longing and had come out the other side, touched by the divine.

Radha: “Krishna is within us, in every breath we take, in every heartbeat. He is the silence between our thoughts, the love we feel for each other. When you dance, when you sing, when you live in devotion, Krishna is there. The form may be hidden from the eye, but the essence of Krishna is never far. We are the ones who veil his presence with our attachments, our desires, and our fears.”

The Gopis listened attentively, their hearts opening to Radha’s words. Slowly, the ache of separation that had always lingered in their hearts began to ease. They understood, in the deepest part of their beings, that Radha was speaking the truth - that Krishna’s presence was not something to be found outside, but something to be realized within.

Gopi 3 (quietly): “Radha, you have shown us that the pain of longing is not a punishment but a call to awaken to the divine love that surrounds us. We can find Krishna in our hearts, in each moment, in every act of devotion.”

Radha smiled, her heart overflowing with joy at their understanding. She had not taught them through words alone, but through the very essence of her being. Her presence was a living testament to the truth she spoke. She had become the embodiment of the love she shared with Krishna, and in doing so, she had become the living reflection of the divine.

Radha: “Yes, my dear friends, Krishna’s love is not a distant memory, nor is it something we must wait for. It is within us, always. When you dance, when you sing, when you serve with love, you are touching the divine. Each act of love brings you closer to Krishna, for love is Krishna. And when you love with a pure heart, you will see him in everyone, in everything.”

The Gopis felt a deep sense of peace settling over them. They could feel the truth of Radha’s words resonating within them. The separation they had once felt was now understood as the catalyst for a deeper, more intimate connection with Krishna. It was not the absence of Krishna that caused pain, but the illusion that Krishna was separate from them.

Gopi 1 (with a deep bow): “Radha, you have freed us from the chains of longing. We now understand that Krishna is not something to be possessed or found, but something to be realized within. We are never apart from him, for he lives in our hearts.”

Radha’s heart swelled with love for the Gopis. She had walked the same path of longing, of searching, and had finally come to the realization that Krishna was never apart from her. The realization that Krishna was in every breath, every moment, every heartbeat had been her liberation. And now, she could pass on this truth to the Gopis who had once shared her every moment of love and longing.

Radha: “Remember, my dear ones, Krishna is the ocean of love. We are but drops in that ocean. When we surrender ourselves completely to that love, we merge with it, and we become one with him. We no longer seek Krishna outside, for we know that he is always within. We are never alone. We are always in the embrace of his love.”

As the sun dipped lower, casting a soft golden glow over the earth, Radha and the Gopis stood in silence, each of them filled with a sense of unity with the divine. In the stillness, Krishna’s flute seemed to echo faintly in the air, not as a distant sound, but as a deep, resonant vibration within their hearts.

Gopi 2 (whispering): “Radha, you have shown us that love is not an outward journey, but an inward one. The love we seek is already here, within us. Krishna is not a destination, but a realization.”

Radha (nodding): “Yes. And in realizing this truth, we become the embodiment of his love. We are not separate from Krishna, for he lives in every thought, every breath, every action. And when we love, we are Krishna’s love in this world.”

With those words, Radha turned toward the forest path, and the Gopis followed her, each of them walking with a newfound sense of peace, knowing that Krishna was not a figure to be sought outside, but a love to be realized within. As they walked, the evening stars began to twinkle above them, as if Krishna himself were looking down, smiling upon the love they had just discovered.