Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 22
Rāsa-līlā Begins; Divine Multiplication; Moral Doubt and Its Resolution
ताभिर्युत: श्रममपोहितुमङ्गसङ्ग- घृष्टस्रज: स कुचकुङ्कुमरञ्जिताया: । गन्धर्वपालिभिरनुद्रुत आविशद् वा: श्रान्तो गजीभिरिभराडिव भिन्नसेतु: ॥ २२ ॥
tābhir yutaḥ śramam apohitum aṅga-saṅga- ghṛṣṭa-srajaḥ sa kuca-kuṅkuma-rañjitāyāḥ gandharva-pālibhir anudruta āviśad vāḥ śrānto gajībhir ibha-rāḍ iva bhinna-setuḥ
Lord Kṛṣṇa’s garland had been crushed during His conjugal dalliance with the gopīs and colored vermilion by the kuṅkuma powder on their breasts. To dispel the fatigue of the gopīs, Kṛṣṇa entered the water of the Yamunā, followed swiftly by bees who were singing like the best of the Gandharvas. He appeared like a lordly elephant entering the water to relax in the company of his consorts. Indeed, the Lord had transgressed all worldly and Vedic morality just as a powerful elephant might break the dikes in a paddy field.
FAQs
It depicts Kṛṣṇa, accompanied by the gopīs, entering the waters to relieve fatigue, with vivid devotional imagery showing their intimate yet transcendental association.
The simile emphasizes His powerful, majestic movement as He enters the water, while also conveying the playful exhaustion after sportive pastimes with the gopīs.
By remembering that Kṛṣṇa is the center of all pure love and joy, one can redirect worldly longing into devotion—seeking spiritual refreshment through sincere bhakti and remembrance of His līlās.