Love is a many splendored emotion. It is most splendored when it is totally
selfish, and devoid of possessiveness. The gopis, virtuous cowherdesses,
whose sole preoccupation was
Krishna, showered on him an affection of this
kind.They loved him with complete dedication and surrender. They were
contended with Krishna sporting with all of them at the same moment, not a
twinge of jealousy creeped in. They were all aware that no way could they
become the preferred mistress of their lover's heart. This because Krishna
had handed over the kingdom of his heart to
Radha, the major benefactor of
his amorous activities.
Here too, eight graceful gopis, clad in their tightly stretched cholis, look
on lovingly as Radha and Krishna stand cosy in an affectionate embrace,
Radha even having been given the privilege of co-holding his flute. The golden halo surmounts both Krishna and Radha, symbolizing that this union
has divine sanction.
The gopis each hold a different auspicious object in their hands. While the
one seated on the left joyfully beats a drum, the one standing just behind
her gracefully plucks the strings of a veena. Another one her holds a puja
(ritual) thali, containing a miniature replica of a temple, while the lady
nearest to Krishna holds a bowl of milk.
At the right, the lady seated soulfully plays the sitar, and the one
standing next to her holds a kalash or sacred pot, so necessary in any Hindu
ritual. The next gopi a holds full blown lotus and the last one has gathered
in her hands a garland of fresh flowers. Charmingly, these objects have both
sensuous and sacred connotations, thus setting the mood for the entire
painting which is similarly enhanced by the dark and cloudy heavens, with
streaks of the setting sun peeping from behind the clouds, wherever the
lightning manages to rip them apart.
Pinturas
