The gopīs were not attached to their husbands and relatives. Who were they attached to? They were attached to Kṛṣṇa and Śrīmatī Rādhikā. Nanda Bābā and Yaśodā were so attached to Kṛṣṇa. But, Vṛṣabhānu Mahārāja and Kīrtidā-devī were so attached to Śrīmatī Rādhikā. They were attached to Kṛṣṇa also, but they were attached more to Rādhikā. That is why Śrīmatī Rādhikā is called Vṛṣabhānu-nandinī, Vṛṣabhānu dulārī, the lālī or dear daughter, of Vṛṣabhānu Mahārāja. That is why Vṛṣabhānu Mahārāja is more and higher than Nanda Bābā. Nanda Bābā has nine lakh cows, and Vṛṣabhānu Mahārāja has eleven lakh cows. The son of Vṛṣabhānu Mahārāja, Śrīdāma, used to always defeat Kṛṣṇa (at wrestling). Kṛṣṇa can steal anyone’s heart. But just by having the glimpse of Śrīmatī Rādhikā, Kṛṣṇa would automatically come in the pocket of Śrīmatī Rādhikā.
June 17, 1998 New Braja, California