Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 10
Uddhava Meets the Gopīs: Bhramara-gītā and Kṛṣṇa’s Message of Separation
इति गोप्यो हि गोविन्दे गतवाक्कायमानसा: । कृष्णदूते समायाते उद्धवे त्यक्तलौकिका: ॥ ९ ॥ गायन्त्य: प्रियकर्माणि रुदन्त्यश्च गतह्रिय: । तस्य संस्मृत्य संस्मृत्य यानि कैशोरबाल्ययो: ॥ १० ॥
iti gopyo hi govinde gata-vāk-kāya-mānasāḥ kṛṣṇa-dūte samāyāte uddhave tyakta-laukikāḥ
Thus speaking, the gopīs, whose words, bodies and minds were fully dedicated to Lord Govinda, put aside all their regular work now that Kṛṣṇa’s messenger, Śrī Uddhava, had arrived among them. Constantly remembering the activities their beloved Kṛṣṇa had performed in His childhood and youth, they sang about them and cried without shame.
The word bālyayoḥ here indicates that ever since their childhood, the gopīs had been completely in love with Kṛṣṇa. Thus even though social custom dictated that they not reveal their love to others, they forgot all external considerations and openly wept before Kṛṣṇa’s messenger, Uddhava.
FAQs
This verse portrays the gopīs as fully absorbed in Govinda—speech, body, and mind—showing total surrender (śaraṇāgati) as the hallmark of their devotion.
Kṛṣṇa sends Uddhava to Vraja to deliver His message and console the gopīs; Śukadeva describes him here as “Kṛṣṇa-dūta,” the Lord’s emissary.
It teaches prioritizing sincere devotion and inner truth over fear of social judgment—while keeping one’s conduct pure and focused on spiritual remembrance.