Krishna Consciousness is Gopi Consciousness

कृष्णभावनाभाविताः च गोपीभावनाभाविताः

(Krishna Consciousness is Gopi Consciousness)

Krishna consciousness (कृष्णभावना) signifies the awareness of the divine presence of Krishna at every moment, in every place, in every breath. The गोपिकाः of वृन्दावन are the highest exemplars of this state of consciousness. Their प्रेम (love) is unmixed with any knowledge of कृष्ण's ऐश्वर्य (supremacy), free from the concept of divinity, and focused entirely on his सखा (friend) or beloved form. This निर्विशेष (pure) and intimate love, devoid of grandeur, embodies the रस (essence) of Krishna consciousness.

As the Gita proclaims, "सूत्रे मणिगणा इव" (BG 7.7), Krishna is the सूत्र (thread) holding together the entire universe like pearls on a string. The गोपिकाः did not meditate on Krishna as परमेश्वर (supreme lord), but simply as their beloved गोपाल, untouched by the idea of his cosmic authority. This प्रेमाभक्ति (love-filled devotion) is the pinnacle of consciousness.

In कृष्णभावना, we cultivate the understanding that Krishna is both निखिलेश्वर (lord of all) and our intimate guide, conscious of every corner of his सृष्टि (creation). While our intellect may grasp his omniscience, our consciousness should be immersed in the sweetness (माधुर्य) of गोपीभाव, where love alone binds us to the eternal reality of कृष्ण.