In the beginning of the Hemanta Ritu, during the month of Margashirsha, the Gopa maidens performed the Katyayani vrata to obtain Lord Krishna as their husband. The gopis were the reincarnations of sixteen thousand sages. The Raslila and similar pastimes were opportunities for them to merge with the divine.

The vrata lasted for one month. At sunrise, the maidens would bathe in the Yamuna, make an idol of Goddess Katyayani with clay from the riverbank, and worship her. They would chant the mantra:
Katyayani Mahabhage Mahayoginyadheeshwari
Nandagopa sutam devi patim me kuru te namah.
(O Goddess Katyayani, the great one, the supreme yogini, and ruler, grant me Nandagopa’s son as my husband.)

The gopis, being sages in their previous births, were already familiar with the path of divine realization through mantras. Katyayani, or Bhadrakali, represents the Tamasic power of the Lord Himself.

The gopis spent their days singing praises of Lord Krishna and his divine plays. Over the month, their hearts became completely immersed in Krishna’s form. Before the vrata concluded, Krishna, realizing certain imperfections in their vrata, appeared before them.

The gopis had placed their clothes on the riverbank and were bathing in the Yamuna without garments. Lord Krishna collected their clothes and climbed a Kadamba tree. With a mischievous smile, he said, 'Come one by one and take your clothes.'

Hiding their bodies in the water, the gopis pleaded, 'Please return our clothes quickly. Stop this prank. Don’t you know this is wrong? Otherwise, we will complain to the king.'

Krishna replied, 'Bathing naked in the water is a great offense. This act will nullify the merits of your vrata.' He then quoted the Vedas:
अप्स्वग्निर्देवताश्च तिष्ठन्त्यतो नाप्सु मूत्रपुरीषं कुर्यान्न निष्ठीवन् न विवसनः स्नायात्
(In the waters dwell Agni and other deities. Therefore, one must not urinate, defecate, spit, or bathe unclothed in water.)

Krishna had come to rectify their mistake and grant them the full merits of their vrata. He placed the clothes on a branch and asked them to come and take them one by one.

The gopis, shedding their hesitation, emerged from the water, bowed to Krishna, and retrieved their clothes. By surrendering to Krishna, their imperfections in the vrata were removed.

Why did Krishna perform this divine play?

The gopis were sages. Their ultimate goal was to merge with the divine.

Why do we wear clothes?
To cover our modesty and hide our shame (lajja) from others.

If Krishna is considered 'other,' how can one merge with him?
Krishna removed their sense of shame and 'otherness.'

This is the deeper meaning behind the Vastrapaharana Leela.

Knowledge Bank

Puja for Ashwini Nakshatra

1. Worship Ganapati, Kartikeya, and Bhadrakali. 2. Gandanta shanti. 3. Ganapati Homa. 4. Chaturthi vrata. 5. Mangal (Mars) mantras and stotras. 6. Ketu mantras and stotras.

Why are the Rishis asking for the essence of all Shastras?

Kaliyuga was approaching. In Kaliyuga people will be less intelligent. They will not have the capacity to differentiate between right and wrong. They will become cruel. They will not be interested in the Supreme truth. They will be only concerned about their own gains and physical pleasures. Their lifespan will be less. Nobody will have the time and interest to learn all the Shastras. If the essence of the Shastras is given to them, then there is a chance that they might use it for their own benefit.