A person may offer his food because he wants to be relieved from karma. This stage of engaging in religious activity is born of fear and not wanting to suffer. The desire to avoid suffering is not a selfless desire. The gopis, however, are described to be on a transcendental platform because they were not following any kind of religious or moral codes. They were breaking moral codes. They were not afraid to suffer because they were always thinking of Krishna’s pleasure and were motivated by the desire to continuously please Him. Such personal sacrifices for the pleasure of the Lord makes the gopis’ love the highest.
(Caitanya Caritamrita Lectures Book, Adi Lila 4.162-181 Kishinev—June 2000, Page 29)