Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 11
Nanda Mahārāja Celebrates Kṛṣṇa’s Birth; Vasudeva Warns of Danger
गोप्य: सुमृष्टमणिकुण्डलनिष्ककण्ठ्य- श्चित्राम्बरा: पथि शिखाच्युतमाल्यवर्षा: । नन्दालयं सवलया व्रजतीर्विरेजु- र्व्यालोलकुण्डलपयोधरहारशोभा: ॥ ११ ॥
gopyaḥ sumṛṣṭa-maṇi-kuṇḍala-niṣka-kaṇṭhyaś citrāmbarāḥ pathi śikhā-cyuta-mālya-varṣāḥ nandālayaṁ sa-valayā vrajatīr virejur vyālola-kuṇḍala-payodhara-hāra-śobhāḥ
In the ears of the gopīs were brilliantly polished jeweled earrings, and from their necks hung metal lockets. Their hands were decorated with bangles, their dresses were of varied colors, and from their hair, flowers fell onto the street like showers. Thus while going to the house of Mahārāja Nanda, the gopīs, their earrings, breasts and garlands moving, were brilliantly beautiful.
The description of the gopīs, who were going to the house of Mahārāja Nanda to welcome Kṛṣṇa, is especially significant. The gopīs were not ordinary women, but expansions of Kṛṣṇa’s pleasure potency, as described in the Brahma-saṁhitā (5.37,29):
FAQs
This verse depicts the gopīs beautifully dressed with ornaments, showering flowers as they joyfully proceed to Nanda Mahārāja’s home for the newborn Krishna’s celebration.
In the context of Nanda Mahārāja’s festivities after Krishna’s appearance in Gokula, the women of Vraja go to his home to participate in the auspicious celebration and offer their affectionate joy.
By cultivating heartfelt celebration of the Lord—expressing devotion through beauty, gratitude, and community worship—turning sacred occasions into sincere offerings of love rather than mere ritual.