Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 3
Gopī-gīta Aftermath: Kṛṣṇa Returns and Explains Divine Non-Reciprocation
Rāsa-līlā Dialogue
तं विलोक्यागतं प्रेष्ठं प्रीत्युत्फुल्लदृशोऽबला: । उत्तस्थुर्युगपत् सर्वास्तन्व: प्राणमिवागतम् ॥ ३ ॥
taṁ vilokyāgataṁ preṣṭhaṁ prīty-utphulla-dṛśo ’balāḥ uttasthur yugapat sarvās tanvaḥ prāṇam ivāgatam
When the gopīs saw that their dearmost Kṛṣṇa had returned to them, they all stood up at once, and out of their affection for Him their eyes bloomed wide. It was as if the air of life had reentered their bodies.
FAQs
It portrays their love as life-giving: when Kṛṣṇa returns, they rise together as if their very life-breath has come back, showing how completely their hearts depend on Him.
In the narrative of Canto 10, Chapter 32, Kṛṣṇa reappears after testing their devotion; seeing Him again, their joy overflows and they instinctively rise to greet their dearmost beloved.
It encourages seeing remembrance and presence of God as spiritual “prāṇa”—reviving the heart through nāma-japa, kīrtana, and sincere longing for Kṛṣṇa.