Srimad-Bhagavatam: Canto 10 - Chapter 1 - Verse 27

Sanskrit:

सर्वात्मभावोऽधिकृतो भवतीनामधोक्षजे ।विरहेण महाभागा महान्मेऽनुग्रह: कृत: ॥ २७ ॥

ITRANS:

sarvātma-bhāvo ’dhikṛtobhavatīnām adhokṣajeviraheṇa mahā-bhāgāmahān me ’nugrahaḥ kṛtaḥ

Translation:

You have rightfully claimed the privilege of unalloyed love for the transcendental Lord, O most glorious gopīs. Indeed, by exhibiting your love for Kṛṣṇa in separation from Him, you have shown me great mercy.

Purport:

The gopīs showed not only Uddhava but the whole world the joy of love of Godhead, and thus they bestowed their mercy on everyone. According to Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī, because their loving devotion was executed in an appropriate way, their love brought the Supreme Lord under their control. Still, to show the intensity of their love, He apparently left them. But now He again manifested Himself among them, becoming spiritually present through their intense devotion.