SB 10.65.17

According to the principle enunciated by the word tāḥ in the previous verse, those gopīs were dedicated to Kṛṣṇa alone. The gopīs mentioned in the present verse were other gopīs dedicated only to Balarāma. Words which indicate general qualities should be explained according to context. For instance of one says “Brāhmaṇas should be respected” this applies to all brāhmaṇas. But if one says “The brāhmaṇas should be hidden” this would applies to brāhmaṇas in a certain situation and not to all brāhmaṇas or other brāhmaṇas. Similarly a word with various meanings should take the meaning most suitable to the circumstance. If one says bring the saindhava, normally this would meaning “Bring the salt” instead of “Bring the king of Sindh.” Thus the word gopī does not always mean Kṛṣṇa’s consorts. Gopyaś cākarṇya muditā yaśodāyāḥ sutodbhavam: the gopī wives of the cowherd men were very pleased to hear that mother Yaśodā had given birth to a son. (SB 101.59) Gopyas tūrṇaṁ samabhyetya jagṛhur jāta-sambhramāḥ: gopīs immediately came forward with great jubilation and picked Kṛṣṇa up. (SB 10.6.18) Ruditam anuniśamya tatra gopyah: Yaśodā’s friends, the other gopīs, approached mother Yaśodā, hearing her pitiful crying. (SB 10.7.25) Kṛṣṇasya gopyo ruciraṁ vīkṣya kaumāra-cāpalam: all the elder gopīs saw the very attractive childish restlessness of Kṛṣṇa. (SB 10.8.28) Gopy ādade tvayi kṛtāgasi dāma tāvad: my dear Kṛṣṇa, Yaśodā took up a rope to bind you when you committed an offense. (SB 1.8.31) Prasādaṁ lebhire gopī: such mercy was received by mother Yaśodā. (SB 10.9.20) Pariṣvaktaś cirotkaṇṭhair gopair gopībhir eva ca: having long suffered the anxiety of separation, the cowherd men and their wives embraced Balarāma. (SB 10.65.2) They embraced him out of great confusion due to separation. It should not be thought that in the present context the gopīs referred to are Kṛṣṇa’s gopīs. Similarly, in the Fifth Canto (5.11.12-13), there are contiguous statements (verses 12-13) with the word kṣetra-jña, but the word means jīva in the first instance and God in the second instance. The submersion of the earth during Svayambhūva’s period was different from the submersion of the earth during the killing of Hiraṇyakṣa though the two stories are mixed. Thus the gopīs referred to by the word tāḥ in the previous verse does not refer to the gopīs mentioned in this verse because of the reasons previously mentioned. If they were, it would have created a scandal in Dvārakā. What more need be said. Now the present pastime is explained. Having completely consoled Kṛṣṇa’s dear gopīs, he enjoyed with other gopīs of Balarāma’s group about whom Kṛṣṇa joked during their kaumāra period, foreseeing their future intimate relationship, by saying “You have embraced the young cowherd women between your two arms.” (SB 10.15.8) These gopīs mingled with Kṛṣṇa’s gopīs during the events leading to the killing of Śaṅkhacūḍa and the Holikā pastimes. Previously they maintained their chastity by not association with him. With the consent of Kṛṣṇa, by his request, Balarāma pacified his own gopīs for two months. The word ca indicates a different subject. It was said in verse 1 that he went to Vraja, desiring to see his friends. That was his principle aim. Secondarily he enjoyed with his own gopīs. He did this at night, in a most secret way, far way, on the bank of the Yamunā, for he was suitable for enjoying (rāmaḥ) and he was Bhagavān. Thus he enjoyed with many gopīs.