Gopashtami is one of the most divine and blissful festivals among all the pastimes of Shri Krishna. On this day, the Supreme Lord Shri Krishna — the embodiment of infinite bliss — began the divine pastime of herding cows in Braj for the very first time.
In the ancient tradition, it is customary that when a boy reaches a certain age, he is sent to graze the cows. Following this eternal tradition, on the auspicious eighth day of the bright fortnight of Kartik month, Nanda Baba performed the sacred ceremony and sent his sons, Krishna and Balram, to herd the cows.
That morning, all of Braj was filled with joy. Nanda Baba dressed little Krishna most beautifully. His divine body, soft as fresh lotus petals, was adorned with ornaments and yellow garments. With a smile full of affection, Nanda Baba said, “From today, my son will begin the noble service of the cows.”
According to the scriptural injunctions, those who go to graze cows must do so barefoot, without shoes or sandals. Even the Supreme Lord Himself, though the Master of infinite worlds, followed this tradition. He too walked barefoot on the rough paths of Braj, His tender lotus feet touching the stones and pebbles of the earth — sanctifying all creation.
During the pastime of cow herding, the mood of sakhya bhav (divine friendship) manifests in its full sweetness. The cowherd boys and Shri Krishna spend the day together in the forests of Braj, grazing cows, laughing, playing, and enjoying childlike sports.
Sometimes, they share food with one another, sitting together under trees. Each boy brings something from home — butter, curd, sweets, or fruits — and offers it lovingly to Krishna. The Lord accepts it with joy, eating from their hands with divine sweetness.
The connection between Lord Krishna and cows is profound and integral to His divine identity. The Gochāran Leela, where Krishna grazes the cows in the lush pastures of Vrindavan, is a cherished theme in the poems and writings of rasik saints. Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj beautifully describes this divine scene in one of his poems in his signature literary work “Prem Ras Madira”:
धूसरि धूरि भरे हरि आवत ।
मोर मुकुट कटि कछनी काछे, मुरली मधुर बजावत ।
धुनि सुनि वेनु सबै ब्रजबनिता, देखन को जुरि धावत ।
काँधे लकुटि कामरी कारी, लट उरझी मन भावत ।
वत्स-प्रेम रस पूरि सुरभि थन, मेदिनि क्षीर चुवावत ।
सो ‘कृपालु’ झाँकी झाँकन हित, शंभु समाधि भुलावत ॥
Source: Prem Ras Madira, Shri Krishna Madhuri, Pad Number 20. Composed by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj.
As Lord Hari returns from grazing the cows, His entire body is covered in the dust raised by their hooves. He wears a crown adorned with a peacock feather, a red cloth around His waist (kachhanī), and plays sweet melodies on His flute. His enchanting music attracts all the Gopis, who eagerly rush to catch a glimpse of Him.
He carries a staff and a black blanket on His shoulders, while His curly locks of hair captivate the heart. The cows, filled with love for Krishna, automatically release milk from their udders.
Thus, Gopashtami is not merely a festival; it is the divine celebration of that eternal bond of love between God and His devotees. It marks the beginning of that most intimate and loving relationship between Shri Krishna and the cowherd boys of Braj, who, through their pure devotion, bound the Infinite within the limits of love.
