Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 31
Gokula’s Wonder, Kṛṣṇa’s Bhakta-vaśyatā, the Move to Vṛndāvana, and the Slaying of Vatsāsura and Bakāsura
वृद्धान्बालान्स्त्रियो राजन्सर्वोपकरणानि च । अन:स्वारोप्य गोपाला यत्ता आत्तशरासना: ॥ ३१ ॥ गोधनानि पुरस्कृत्य शृङ्गाण्यापूर्य सर्वत: । तूर्यघोषेण महता ययु: सहपुरोहिता: ॥ ३२ ॥
vṛddhān bālān striyo rājan sarvopakaraṇāni ca anaḥsv āropya gopālā yattā ātta-śarāsanāḥ
Keeping all the old men, women, children and household paraphernalia on the bullock carts and keeping all the cows in front, the cowherd men picked up their bows and arrows with great care and sounded bugles made of horn. O King Parīkṣit, in this way, with bugles vibrating all around, the cowherd men, accompanied by their priests, began their journey.
In this connection it is to be noted that although the inhabitants of Gokula were mostly cowherd men and cultivators, they knew how to defend themselves from danger and how to give protection to the women, the old men, the cows and the children, as well as to the brahminical purohitas.
FAQs
This verse shows the Vraja cowherds acting responsibly—first safeguarding the vulnerable (elderly, women, children) and essentials, then preparing to defend the community.
Śukadeva is narrating to King Parīkṣit and uses ‘rājan’ as a direct address while describing how the cowherds organized themselves during the unfolding events in Vraja.
Prioritize protecting dependents and essentials during crises, and then respond with preparedness and courage—duty performed without panic.