Shloka 28
Veṇu-gīta-āhvāna and the Gopīs’ Appeal: The Opening of Rāsa-līlā
श्रीशुक उवाच इति विप्रियमाकर्ण्य गोप्यो गोविन्दभाषितम् । विषण्णा भग्नसङ्कल्पाश्चिन्तामापुर्दुरत्ययाम् ॥ २८ ॥
śrī-śuka uvāca iti vipriyam ākarṇya gopyo govinda-bhāṣitam viṣaṇṇā bhagna-saṅkalpāś cintām āpur duratyayām
Śukadeva sprach: Als die gopīs Govindas unerfreuliche Worte hörten, wurden sie niedergeschlagen. Ihre großen Hoffnungen zerbrachen, und sie gerieten in eine kaum zu überwindende Angst.
The gopīs did not know what to do. They considered falling at Kṛṣṇa’s feet and crying for His mercy, or perhaps remaining aloof and going back to their homes. But they could do neither of these things and so felt great anxiety.
FAQs
It says the gopīs felt deep sorrow on hearing Govinda’s displeasing reply; their confidence broke and they entered overwhelming anxiety.
In this rāsa-līlā prelude, Kṛṣṇa tests and deepens the gopīs’ devotion, drawing out their single-minded love in separation so that their bhakti becomes even more intense and pure.
When devotion feels tested—through delay, dryness, or disappointment—this verse reminds a seeker to persist steadily, turning anxiety into deeper remembrance and sincere prayer rather than giving up.