Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 32
Veṇu-gīta-āhvāna and the Gopīs’ Appeal: The Opening of Rāsa-līlā
यत्पत्यपत्यसुहृदामनुवृत्तिरङ्ग स्त्रीणां स्वधर्म इति धर्मविदा त्वयोक्तम् । अस्त्वेवमेतदुपदेशपदे त्वयीशे प्रेष्ठो भवांस्तनुभृतां किल बन्धुरात्मा ॥ ३२ ॥
yat paty-apatya-suhṛdām anuvṛttir aṅga strīṇāṁ sva-dharma iti dharma-vidā tvayoktam astv evam etad upadeśa-pade tvayīśe preṣṭho bhavāṁs tanu-bhṛtāṁ kila bandhur ātmā
Our dear Kṛṣṇa, as an expert in religion You have advised us that the proper religious duty for women is to faithfully serve their husbands, children and other relatives. We agree that this principle is valid, but actually this service should be rendered to You. After all, O Lord, You are the dearmost friend of all embodied souls. You are their most intimate relative and indeed their very Self.
Śrī Kṛṣṇa is the Soul of all souls, their dearmost friend and well-wisher. As stated in the Eleventh Canto of the Bhāgavatam (11.5.41) :
FAQs
This verse acknowledges the traditional duty of serving husband, children, and family, yet declares that because Kṛṣṇa is the Paramātmā and true kinsman of all beings, loving devotion to Him is ultimately supreme.
Kṛṣṇa had advised them to return home to uphold social and familial duties; the gopīs respond that His instruction is valid in general, but their irresistible devotion is justified because He is the dearest Self of everyone.
Perform worldly responsibilities sincerely, but anchor the heart in devotion—remembering that the deepest relationship is with the Divine Self, which brings clarity, detachment, and steadiness amid social roles.