Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 45
Veṇu-gīta-āhvāna and the Gopīs’ Appeal: The Opening of Rāsa-līlā
नद्या: पुलिनमाविश्य गोपीभिर्हिमवालुकम् । जुष्टं तत्तरलानन्दिकुमुदामोदवायुना ॥ ४५ ॥ बाहुप्रसारपरिरम्भकरालकोरु- नीवीस्तनालभननर्मनखाग्रपातै: । क्ष्वेल्यावलोकहसितैर्व्रजसुन्दरीणा- मुत्तम्भयन् रतिपतिं रमयां चकार ॥ ४६ ॥
nadyāḥ pulinam āviśya gopībhir hima-vālukam juṣṭaṁ tat-taralānandi kumudāmoda-vāyunā
Śrī Kṛṣṇa went with the gopīs to the bank of the Yamunā, where the sand was cooling and the wind, enlivened by the river’s waves, bore the fragrance of lotuses. There Kṛṣṇa threw His arms around the gopīs and embraced them. He aroused Cupid in the beautiful young ladies of Vraja by touching their hands, hair, thighs, belts and breasts, by playfully scratching them with His fingernails, and also by joking with them, glancing at them and laughing with them. In this way the Lord enjoyed His pastimes.
FAQs
It describes the gopīs entering the cool sandy bank, made joyful by a fragrant breeze from blooming kumuda lotuses—setting a serene, devotional atmosphere for Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes.
Because Vraja’s nature is part of Kṛṣṇa’s līlā—its breeze, sand, and lotus fragrance heighten the mood of loving devotion as the gopīs approach Him.
Create a sacred atmosphere for bhakti—choose a calm place, reduce distractions, and let the mind become receptive to remembrance of Kṛṣṇa.