Gopastami

[Paramananda das]

ON Gopastami Subal went to Srimati Radharni and She was prevented to join Lord Sri Krsna by Jatali and Kutila, and then Radha dressed as Subala and Subala dressed as Srimati Radharani and they switched roles.When Radharani came to Shyama kunda ,Krsna ask "Subala "where is Radha .Oh She could not come today ,because she was obstructed by Jatila and kUtila.Krsna roled on the banks of Shyama kunda in seperation from Sri Radha.Krsna cried Radha Radha without you the world is fully void.Radharani then showed how She was actually not Subala but had imitated his voice and dress,They embraced with tears so on Gopastami Gaudiya Vaisnavas celebrate this lila by at least showing Sri Radhas lotusfeet .In Radha Damodara temple in Vrindavana Sri Radha is dressed like Subala today .

In Vraja Vilasa Srila Raghunath das Goswami has written :

Filled with deep love for him, and anxious that they may be separated, Subala never, even in dream, lets go of the hand of Sri Krsna, the moon of Gokula. Subala’s heart is sprinkled with the waters of the swiftly moving mountain stream of devotion to Srimati Radhika. I offer my respectful obeisances to Subala whose body trembles with love for Sri Sri Radha-Krsna.