Gopi
As Gopis or Gopikas were called in India cowherdesses; together with the god Krishna they play a significant role in Hindu mythology and Hindu art.
Etymology
The term gopi ( गोपी ) comes from Sanskrit and means as many as " cow girl " or " cowgirl " ( go = 'cow', pi = 'girl' ). Sometimes the term is also used as a name for a servant.
History
One of the traditions in rural India was grazing of cattle that had to be done to harvest under supervision as free-running cattle, sheep and goats have eroded the fields. The herding of animals was the work of boys ( Gopalas ) and girls ( Gopikas ) at the age of about 10 to 16 years, but always by gender were separated on the way; both groups had to be nimble and attentive, because the animals escaped quickly their care. When watering the animals at the river the girls took a bath sometimes, being her only garment - a long panel ( Sari ) - took off what the boys of the village provided the opportunity to covert observations.
Mythology
This primal experiences of rural life have been well received in the mythology of the Hindus and to play in the 10th book of the Bhagavata in the stories of Lord Krishna a major role. This - even still a shepherd boy - took the saris of the Gopis and climbed to a tree - so the girls had to appear naked in front of him and ask him for the publication. This legend knows every child in India; on miniature paintings it is countless times - been presented - usually in very chaste way. One of the Gopis, Radha, became the most important consort of Krishna - both are often together (sometimes even as a person ) are shown.
As an adult, Krishna drives through his nightly flute playing the village women to frenzy; this neglect their domestic duties, leave everything and lie and have fun with him in the forest of Vrindavan.
Symbolism
The rather loose and jocular, but sometimes tense and painful relationship between Krishna and the Gopis (especially with Radha ) is one of the archetypes of earthly, but divine love ( bhakti ): The love of God belongs to all men equally during the dedication of a people usually occurs in only one God.