Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 2

Rāsa-līlā Begins; Divine Multiplication; Moral Doubt and Its Resolution

Devanagari script

तत्रारभत गोविन्दो रासक्रीडामनुव्रतै: । स्त्रीरत्नैरन्वित: प्रीतैरन्योन्याबद्धबाहुभि: ॥ २ ॥

Transliteration

tatrārabhata govindo rāsa-krīḍām anuvrataiḥ strī-ratnair anvitaḥ prītair anyonyābaddha-bāhubhiḥ

Translation

There on the Yamunā’s banks Lord Govinda then began the pastime of the rāsa dance in the company of those jewels among women, the faithful gopīs, who joyfully linked their arms together.

Synonyms

• तत्र: there
• तत्र: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; देशवाचक (locative adverb)

• आरभत: began
• आरभत: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ+√रभ् (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (imperfect/past); प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person); एकवचन; आत्मनेपद

• गोविन्दः: Govinda
• गोविन्दः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गोविन्द (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा एकवचन

• रास-क्रीडाम्: the rāsa dance-play
• रास-क्रीडाम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रास (प्रातिपदिक) + क्रीडा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास; स्त्रीलिङ्ग; द्वितीया एकवचन

• अनुव्रतैः: with devoted companions/followers
• अनुव्रतैः: Saha (सह/सहकारक)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अनुव्रत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; तृतीया बहुवचन

• स्त्री-रत्नैः: with the jewel-like women
• स्त्री-रत्नैः: Saha (सह/सहकारक)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्त्री (प्रातिपदिक) + रत्न (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास; नपुंसकलिङ्ग; तृतीया बहुवचन

• अन्वितः: accompanied
• अन्वितः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अन्वित (प्रातिपदिक; √इ, क्त)
• Form: क्त-कृदन्त (past participle used adjectivally); पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा एकवचन (agreeing with गोविन्दः)

• प्रीतैः: with the delighted (ones)
• प्रीतैः: Saha (सह/सहकारक)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रीत (प्रातिपदिक; √प्री, क्त)
• Form: क्त-कृदन्त; पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग; तृतीया बहुवचन (agreeing with अनुव्रतैः/स्त्रीरत्नैः)

• अन्योन्य-आबद्ध-बाहुभिः: with arms linked to one another
• अन्योन्य-आबद्ध-बाहुभिः: Saha (सह/सहकारक)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अन्योन्य (अव्ययवत्/प्रातिपदिक) + आबद्ध (आ+√बन्ध्, क्त) + बाहु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास; पुंलिङ्ग; तृतीया बहुवचन

Characters & Entities

• Govinda (Śrī Kṛṣṇa)
• Gopīs

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the start of Krishna’s Rasa Lila?

This verse states that Govinda (Kṛṣṇa) began the rāsa dance in Vraja, accompanied by the gopīs—described as jewel-like women—who joyfully linked arms with one another.

Why is Śukadeva Gosvāmī describing the gopīs as “strī-ratna” (jewel-like women)?

Śukadeva highlights the gopīs’ exceptional purity and devotion, indicating they are the most precious among devotees due to their single-minded love for Kṛṣṇa.

Practical application of Rasa Lila teachings in modern life?

The verse points to wholehearted devotion and loving unity among devotees—cultivating sincere attachment to God and supportive spiritual community rather than selfish enjoyment.