Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 38
The Kātyāyanī-vrata, the Stealing of the Gopīs’ Garments, and Kṛṣṇa’s Teaching on Purified Desire
तस्या उपवने कामं चारयन्त: पशून् नृप । कृष्णरामावुपागम्य क्षुधार्ता इदमब्रुवन् ॥ ३८ ॥
tasyā upavane kāmaṁ cārayantaḥ paśūn nṛpa kṛṣṇa-rāmāv upāgamya kṣudh-ārtā idam abravan
Then, O King, the cowherd boys began herding the animals in a leisurely way within a small forest along the Yamunā. But soon they became afflicted by hunger and, approaching Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma, spoke as follows.
Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī explains that the cowherd boys were concerned that Kṛṣṇa would be hungry, and thus they feigned their own hunger so that Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma would make suitable arrangements to eat.
FAQs
This verse shows the intimate Vraja relationship: the boys freely approach Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma with their needs—here, hunger—revealing Kṛṣṇa as their close friend and protector in His pastoral pastimes.
They were distressed by hunger while grazing the animals in the forest grove, so they came to Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma to express their situation and seek help.
Approach the Lord with simplicity and trust—bring your real needs to Him directly, cultivating a personal relationship rather than a distant, formal one.