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Durga Navami: A Prayer for the Divine Love of the Gopis

Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat
19 October 2026
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(Based on the Dohas (verses) composed by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj on the occasion of Durga Navami)

Durga Navami: A Prayer for the Divine Love of the Gopis by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj by Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat

On the auspicious occasion of Durga Navami, Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj composed these beautiful devotional dohas on the Gopis’ prayer to Mother Durga and elaborated on their deeper meaning and spiritual significance. Through these dohas, Maharaji reveals the highest aspiration of a devotee: Gopi prem, the divine and selfless love of the Gopis for Shri Krishna.

The Gopis’ Prayer to Durga Maiya

गोपियों ने माँगा दुर्गे गोविंद राधे,
Gopiyon ne manga Durge, Govind Radhe,
The Gopis prayed to Durga Maiya.

मैया श्याम से ही मेरा ब्याह करा दे।
Maiya, Shyam se hi mera byaah kara de,
“Mother, please arrange for me to marry Shyamsundar alone.”

Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaji explains this doha through a verse in the Shrimad Bhagwatam (10.22.4),  where it is said:

नन्दगोपसुतं देवि पतिं मे कुरु ते नमः ॥

Nanda-gopa-sutaṁ devi patiṁ me kuru te namaḥ.

“O Goddess Katyayani, O Divine Mother, please make the son of Nanda Maharaj my husband. I offer my obeisances unto You.”

Shri Kripalu Maharaji Ji  explains that it was not just one Gopi, but thousands of Gopis who prayed to Durga Ji together. They did not say, “Only I should get married to Him.” They all asked for this boon so that they could serve Shri Krishna, not to fulfil selfish desires such as those commonly found in the material world.

Shri Maharaj Ji explains that this was an episode from ancient times, dating back some 5,000 years. He then turns our attention to the present and asks: What should we ask of Mother Durga today? 

Our Prayer to Durga Maiya

हम सब माँगें दुर्गे गोविंद राधे।
Ham sab mange Durge, Govind Radhe,
We all pray to Durga Maiya.

Shri Maharaji Ji explains that while the Gopis asked Mother Durga for the boon of marrying Shyamsundar, we should ask for something different. We should request that Mother Durga tell the Gopis that she will grant them this boon on one condition. And what is that condition?

गोपियों से कहि गोपी प्रेम दिला दे।
Gopiyon se kahi Gopi prem dila de,
“Mother, tell the Gopis to bless us with Gopi prem.”

Shri Maharaj Ji explains that we are not asking Mother Durga to arrange for us to marry Shyamsundar, because we know that He did not marry the Gopis and eventually left them. So, we will not be fooled! 

Instead, we simply ask Mother Durga to tell the Gopis to bless us with Gopi Prem, the pure, selfless, and unparalleled love the Gopis felt for their beloved Shri Krishna.

“O Mother Durga, please bestow this much upon us. This is all we ask of You!”

By Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj

A brief introduction of Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj*

(Known by His devotees as Shri Maharaj Ji)

The original title of Jagadguruttam (Greatest Spiritual Teacher of the World) was bestowed upon Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj on January 14, 1957, by Kashi Vidvat Parishad (a council of 500 greatest scholars saints of India). He composed divine texts like Prem Ras Madira, Prem Ras Siddhant, and Radha Govind Geet to lead us on the right path of devotion. He also gave priceless monuments as gifts to the world which include Bhakti Mandir located in Bhakti Dham, Mangarh, Prem Mandir located in Vrindavan Dham, and Kirti Mandir located in Barsana Dham. Shri Maharaj Ji also built hospitals for the impoverished, the Jagadguru Kripalu Chikitsalaya in Vrindavan, Jagadguru Kripalu Chikitsalaya in Barsana, and another one in Pratapgarh. All three help millions of underprivileged to gain free access to medical care. His Kindergarten, School, and College for impoverished girls Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat Education is located in Kunda and provides completely free education. To stay updated with all the news and events of Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat, visit www.jkp.org.in/jkpwhatsapp.