Passage 7

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In plain words

Its inner meaning is that for God the heart is very sweet.

Bhakti is greater than Jñāna

Once, thinking of the hearts of the Gopīs, rejoicing to Himself and smiling to Himself, Śrī Kṛṣṇa was walking along the bank of the Yamunā. At that very time Rādhā was carrying water from the bank of the Yamunā. Seeing Rādhā, Kṛṣṇa all at once burst out laughing. As He laughed, Kṛṣṇa's Ānanda came out. It shone like a flame. That divine light, as it went on, entered into Rādhā. From that day Rādhā is called ‘Āhlādinī’. Because she swallowed Kṛṣṇa's delight, she is called ‘Āhlādinī’. So, from that day to this, Kṛṣṇa goes round after Rādhā, asking her to give Him His Ānanda. Where Kṛṣṇa is, there Rādhā is. Where Rādhā is, there Kṛṣṇa is. So: Rādhā, Kṛṣṇa. Rādhā is first, Kṛṣṇa second. In the same way, Sītā-Rāma. Sītā first, Rāma after. Lakṣmī-Nārāyaṇa: Lakṣmī first, Nārāyaṇa after. Pārvatī-Parameśvara. Pārvatī first, Parameśvara after. In everything women have the chief place. The reason is that in Bhakti and surrender to God, women are the chief guides. At times they want only what is outward. If the husband does not outwardly think of God, the wife finds it very hard. Indeed, wives are the very first to bring their husbands to the path of God! They are the guides. Woman is called ‘Bhakti’. Man is called ‘Jñāna’. Man, the jñāni, can go only as far as the main gate of God's mansion. He can enter only the durbar hall. Men have no right to enter the inner apartments. Jñāna may enter only as far as God's durbar. Woman, who is Bhakti, may go freely all round the inner apartments. Woman is called Bhakti. By Bhakti everything can be gained, but by Jñāna only so far! Bhakti is greater than Jñāna. There are so many jñānis; but jñānis cannot reach God. Only by Bhakti and surrender can they reach God.