Shloka 18
Veṇu-gīta-āhvāna and the Gopīs’ Appeal: The Opening of Rāsa-līlā
श्रीभगवानुवाच स्वागतं वो महाभागा: प्रियं किं करवाणि व: । व्रजस्यानामयं कच्चिद् ब्रूतागमनकारणम् ॥ १८ ॥
śrī-bhagavān uvāca svāgataṁ vo mahā-bhāgāḥ priyaṁ kiṁ karavāṇi vaḥ vrajasyānāmayaṁ kaccid brūtāgamana-kāraṇam
Der Herr sprach: „Seid willkommen, ihr Hochbegnadeten. Was kann ich tun, um euch Freude zu bereiten? Geht es Vraja gut? Sagt mir den Grund eures Kommens.“
Lord Kṛṣṇa knew perfectly well why the gopīs had come. In fact, He had called them with the romantic melodies of His flute. So Kṛṣṇa was simply teasing the gopīs by asking them, “Why have you come here so quickly? Is something wrong in town? Why have you come here, anyway? What do you want?”
FAQs
It shows Kṛṣṇa welcoming the gopīs respectfully, asking what service He can do for them, and inquiring about their welfare—highlighting His affectionate responsiveness to devotion.
Although He knows their hearts, Kṛṣṇa speaks in a gentle, social manner—welcoming them, asking about Vraja’s well-being, and inviting them to express their purpose, which deepens the sweetness of the līlā.
It teaches a bhakti-centered attitude of hospitality and care: welcome sincere seekers, ask how you can serve, and show genuine concern for others’ welfare.