The Vision in Trance
One day, Śrī Rūpa Gosvāmī was deeply absorbed in manasa-sevā—serving Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa within the heart through divine remembrance. In his internal vision, he saw a charming pastime:
Śrī Kṛṣṇa lifted Śrīmatī Rādhikā up with both hands, helping Her reach for flowers hanging from a high branch. Suddenly, as a playful trick, He released Her. Śrī Rādhā caught the branch and hung from it gracefully, while Her sakhīs burst into laughter at Kṛṣṇa’s mischief. Śrī Rūpa, witnessing this divine play in his trance, also began laughing spontaneously in spiritual ecstasy.
The Misunderstanding
Just at that moment, a crippled Vaiṣṇava happened to pass by. Seeing Śrī Rūpa Gosvāmī laughing, and not knowing the reason, he mistakenly thought that Śrī Rūpa was mocking his disability. He became internally hurt and saddened.
This unspoken pain touched the tender heart of Śrī Rūpa, who, being a pure Vaiṣṇava deeply connected with the Supersoul, instantly felt the subtle disturbance in the spiritual atmosphere. His trance broke.
The sweet pastime he was relishing disappeared from his inner vision.
The Power of Offense and the Return of Grace
This story reveals the grave consequences of even unintended or misunderstood offenses (aparādha). Even the sadness of another devotee, born from a misunderstanding, can obstruct one’s deep inner bhakti. Bhakti is very sensitive—it does not tolerate offenses.
However, when the crippled Vaiṣṇava later understood the truth behind Śrī Rūpa’s laughter—that it was not mockery but divine absorption—his heart was appeased. His sadness dissolved. With that, the curtain of separation was lifted, and Śrī Rūpa Gosvāmī was once again able to enter his trance and relish the sweet līlā of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa.
Lessons to Take Away
- Devotional Trance Is Real: The sādhana of exalted bhaktas like Rūpa Gosvāmī is not imagination—it is a real, experiential vision of the eternal pastimes of the Lord.
- Vaishnava Aparādha Is Extremely Dangerous: Even a subtle, unspoken offense can cause one to fall from the highest stage of bhakti. The Lord and His līlās disappear from the heart where offenses dwell.
- Devotees Are Deeply Compassionate: Śrī Rūpa’s heart was so soft that the sorrow of another devotee, even when unfounded, caused a disturbance to his spiritual practice.
- Forgiveness Restores Bhakti: When mutual understanding and forgiveness occur, the flow of divine grace returns. The offended Vaiṣṇava’s inner reconciliation allowed Śrī Rūpa to reconnect with Kṛṣṇa’s līlā.
This episode is often told by our ācāryas to remind us to be careful in our dealings with devotees, to avoid misjudging, and to always seek reconciliation and forgiveness, as bhakti only thrives where humility, compassion, and deep respect for Vaiṣṇavas are present.
