Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 29
The Brāhmaṇas’ Wives Blessed (Brāhmaṇa-patnī-prasāda) — Ritualism Humbled by Bhakti
श्रीपत्न्य ऊचु: मैवं विभोऽर्हति भवान् गदितुं नृशंसं सत्यं कुरुष्व निगमं तव पादमूलम् । प्राप्ता वयं तुलसिदाम पदावसृष्टं केशैर्निवोढुमतिलङ्घ्य समस्तबन्धून् ॥ २९ ॥
śrī-patnya ūcuḥ maivaṁ vibho ’rhati bhavān gadituṁ nr-śaṁsaṁ satyaṁ kuruṣva nigamaṁ tava pāda-mūlam prāptā vayaṁ tulasi-dāma padāvasṛṣṭaṁ keśair nivoḍhum atilaṅghya samasta-bandhūn
The wives of the brāhmaṇas replied: O almighty one, please do not speak such cruel words. Rather, You should fulfill Your promise that You always reciprocate with Your devotees in kind. Now that we have attained Your lotus feet, we simply wish to remain here in the forest so we may carry upon our heads the garlands of tulasī leaves that fall from Your lotus feet. We are ready to give up all material relationships.
Here the brāhmaṇas’ wives are saying something similar to what the gopīs say at the beginning of the rāsa dance ( Bhāg. 10.29.31 ), when Lord Kṛṣṇa tells them to go home as well. Like this verse, the gopīs’ statement begins with the words maivaṁ vibho ’rhati bhavān gadituṁ nṛ-śaṁsam.
FAQs
It teaches that Krishna’s lotus feet are the ultimate refuge affirmed by the Vedas, and sincere devotees seek that shelter even at the cost of social and familial opposition.
After approaching Krishna with devotion, they beg Him not to reject them; they appeal to Vedic truth and express their determination to serve Him, having already crossed beyond worldly family constraints to reach Him.
Prioritize sincere devotion and spiritual integrity over mere social approval—seek Krishna’s shelter through prayer, humility, and service (such as honoring tulasī and remembering His lotus feet).