Shloka 8
The Gopīs Glorify the Song of Kṛṣṇa’s Flute
Veṇu-gīta
चूतप्रवालबर्हस्तबकोत्पलाब्ज- मालानुपृक्तपरिधानविचित्रवेशौ । मध्ये विरेजतुरलं पशुपालगोष्ठ्यां रङ्गे यथा नटवरौ क्व च गायमानौ ॥ ८ ॥
cūta-pravāla-barha-stabakotpalābja mālānupṛkta-paridhāna-vicitra-veśau madhye virejatur alaṁ paśu-pāla-goṣṭhyāṁ raṅge yathā naṭa-varau kvaca gāyamānau
Geschmückt mit jungen Mangosprossen, Pfauenfedern, Lotos- und Seerosen sowie Büscheln von Knospen, und in vielfältige Gewänder gekleidet, über denen ihre Girlanden ruhten, erstrahlten Śrī Kṛṣṇa und Balarāma inmitten der Kuhhirtenknaben. Sie glichen den besten Tänzern auf einer Bühne und sangen bisweilen auch.
The gopīs continue singing their ecstatic song as they remember the pastimes of Lord Kṛṣṇa. The gopīs wanted to go to the forest where Kṛṣṇa was performing His pastimes and, while remaining concealed, peer through the leaves of the creepers and see the wonder of Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma dancing and singing with Their boyfriends. This was their desire, but because they could not go, they sang this song in ecstatic love.
FAQs
This verse describes Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma adorned with natural forest ornaments—mango sprouts, peacock feathers, and lotus garlands—shining among the cowherds like expert performers on a stage, revealing the Lord’s enchanting, devotion-awakening beauty in Vraja.
To convey how their movements, dress, and singing in the cowherd assembly appeared supremely graceful and captivating—like master artists—while still being completely natural within their playful Vṛndāvana līlā.
See devotion as living, joyful remembrance: appreciate sacred beauty in nature, keep the mind absorbed in Kṛṣṇa’s līlā, and bring sincerity and sweetness into daily duties—turning life into an offering rather than mere performance for ego.