Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 12
Balarāma Visits Vraja: Consoling the Gopīs and Dragging the Yamunā
मातरं पितरं भ्रातृन् पतीन् पुत्रान् स्वसृनपि । यदर्थे जहिम दाशार्ह दुस्त्यजान् स्वजनान् प्रभो ॥ ११ ॥ ता न: सद्य: परित्यज्य गत: सञ्छिन्नसौहृद: । कथं नु तादृशं स्त्रीभिर्न श्रद्धीयेत भाषितम् ॥ १२ ॥
mātaraṁ pitaraṁ bhrātṝn patīn putrān svasṝn api yad-arthe jahima dāśārha dustyajān sva-janān prabho
“For Kṛṣṇa’s sake, O descendant of Dāśārha, we abandoned our mothers, fathers, brothers, husbands, children and sisters, even though these family relations are difficult to give up. But now, O Lord, that same Kṛṣṇa has suddenly abandoned us and gone away, breaking off all affectionate ties with us. And yet how could any woman fail to trust His promises?
FAQs
This verse states that the gopīs gave up even their closest family relationships—mother, father, husband, children, and siblings—for Kṛṣṇa, showing the extremity of their exclusive devotion.
They speak from the pain of separation (viraha), feeling that Kṛṣṇa left them abruptly and ‘cut off’ affectionate connection, so their words are a devotional lament rather than ordinary criticism.
It highlights single-hearted commitment: sincere bhakti may demand prioritizing spiritual truth over social pressure, and bringing feelings—even pain and complaint—honestly before God.