Na Pāraye ’Haṁ - I am Unable to Repay You
After being abandoned in the rāsa-dance, the gopīs had grave concerns about the nature of Kṛṣṇa’s love. Confused and feeling rejected, they posited three options as to the quality of love he possesses:
śrī-gopya ūcuḥ
bhajato 'nubhajanty eka
eka etad-viparyayam
nobhayāṁś ca bhajanty eka
etan no brūhi sādhu bhoḥ
The gopīs said: Some people reciprocate the affection only of those who are affectionate toward them, while others show affection even to those who are indifferent or inimical. And yet others will not show affection toward anyone. Dear Kṛṣṇa, please properly explain this matter to us. (SB 10.32.16)
Kṛṣṇa explains that actually he does not fall into any of these categorisations. In fact, he has internal reasons for not seeming to reciprocate with the love of the gopīs. This exchange ends with Kṛṣṇa’s immortal words, exhibiting his sincere gratitude for the loving affection of his devotees, and thus melts the hearts of all sincere sādhakas: na pāraye 'haṁ, “I am Unable to Repay You.”
The second part of the book contrasts Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s love with that of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, and the third masterfully elaborates on the love of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī.
Their love flows like great rivers into the ocean of prema, and devotees can touch the shores of that ocean and savour some drops of its nectar. Thus we too may learn to love as the Vraja-vāsīs do.
The second book in the Kṛṣṇa in Vṛndāvana Series, Na Pāraye ’Haṁ is based on the commentaries of Śrīla Prabhupāda and the previous ācāryas. Allow your heart to be inundated with the nectar of pastimes expertly intertwined with the tattva that serves love.
402 pages
Hardbound
136x208mm / 5.3x8.2in
Also available in e-book format.
Sample chapter from the book.