SB 10.16.20

The general description of everyone’s condition has been described. Now the gopīs’ condition is specifically is described. Kṛṣṇa was full of all powers (bhagavate), and without destruction (anante), or was inseparable from devotees. Thus it was impossible that he could be held by the snake. But by his will he was trapped in the snake’s coils. The gopīs were extremely afflicted with grief at this because by their nature they were constantly filled with prema for him. He alone was most dear by his nature. Ātma is dear, Paramātmā is dearer, and Kṛṣṇa is dearest because of his particular qualities. Thus, because of their great prema for him, they did not recognize his great powers. That is the significance of using the word priyatama. Or Kṛṣṇa was most beautiful (bhagavān) with unlimited qualities. He was very dear to some, but most dear to the gopīs, because their minds were constantly attracted to him (anurakta-manasaḥ). Now, when he appeared to be caught, completely surrounded by the snake’s coils, they remembered his words, glances and smiles arising from his prema (sauhrḍa) and became overcome with intense grief. They saw that the universe completely taken away by him (priyavyati-hrṭam). That means the universe lost its memory, becoming deaf and blind. Another version has priya-vyatikrṭam: the universe was devastated because of the condition of their dear one. Śrīdhara Svāmī says the meaning is “the universe was separated from their dear one.” Thus the gopīs saw the world to be vacant. Because of the intensity of grief, they considered the world to be like themselves. Thus everything took on the form of grief for their beloved.