Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 35
Veṇu-gīta-āhvāna and the Gopīs’ Appeal: The Opening of Rāsa-līlā
सिञ्चाङ्ग नस्त्वदधरामृतपूरकेण हासावलोककलगीतजहृच्छयाग्निम् । नो चेद्वयं विरहजाग्न्युपयुक्तदेहा ध्यानेन याम पदयो: पदवीं सखे ते ॥ ३५ ॥
siñcāṅga nas tvad-adharāmṛta-pūrakeṇa hāsāvaloka-kala-gīta-ja-hṛc-chayāgnim no ced vayaṁ virahajāgny-upayukta-dehā dhyānena yāma padayoḥ padavīṁ sakhe te
Dear Kṛṣṇa, please pour the nectar of Your lips upon the fire within our hearts — a fire You ignited with Your smiling glances and the sweet song of Your flute. If You do not, we will consign our bodies to the fire of separation from You, O friend, and thus like yogīs attain to the abode of Your lotus feet by meditation.
FAQs
This verse shows viraha as an intense spiritual longing: the gopīs feel a burning separation that can only be cooled by Kṛṣṇa’s presence—His smile, glance, and sweet words—and they even speak of reaching His feet through meditation if He does not reciprocate.
In the rāsa context, their request expresses exclusive devotion and emotional dependence on Kṛṣṇa: His affectionate exchange alone can extinguish the inner “fire” of longing created by His sudden appearance and apparent distance.
Channel feelings of absence into remembrance: steady japa, kīrtana, and meditation on Kṛṣṇa’s qualities—like His compassion and sweetness—turn emotional intensity into focused devotion rather than distraction.