Shloka 24
Veṇu-gīta-āhvāna and the Gopīs’ Appeal: The Opening of Rāsa-līlā
भर्तु: शुश्रूषणं स्त्रीणां परो धर्मो ह्यमायया । तद्बन्धूनां च कल्याण: प्रजानां चानुपोषणम् ॥ २४ ॥
bhartuḥ śuśrūṣaṇaṁ strīṇāṁ paro dharmo hy amāyayā tad-bandhūnāṁ ca kalyāṇaḥ prajānāṁ cānupoṣaṇam
Die höchste religiöse Pflicht einer Frau ist es, ihrem Gatten aufrichtig zu dienen, sich gegenüber seiner Familie gut zu verhalten und die Kinder angemessen zu versorgen und zu behüten.
Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī astutely points out here that the gopīs’ real, eternal husband is Lord Kṛṣṇa, not their so-called husbands at home, who falsely considered the gopīs their property. Thus a strict interpretation of the word amāyayā, “without illusion,” reveals that the supreme religious duty for the gopīs is to serve Śrī Kṛṣṇa, their real lover.
FAQs
In this verse (10.29.24), Kṛṣṇa states that a woman’s highest duty is sincere service to her husband, seeking the welfare of his family, and properly caring for her children—done without deceit.
Kṛṣṇa spoke these words while the gopīs had come to Him at night in Vṛndāvana; He first presented conventional dharma to test and reveal the depth and purity of their exclusive devotion before the rāsa pastime unfolds.
Practice integrity and responsibility in relationships and family duties, and cultivate selfless care for dependents—while also understanding the Bhagavatam’s larger theme that pure bhakti ultimately transcends all secondary obligations.