Shloka 41
Veṇu-gīta-āhvāna and the Gopīs’ Appeal: The Opening of Rāsa-līlā
व्यक्तं भवान् व्रजभयार्तिहरोऽभिजातो देवो यथादिपुरुष: सुरलोकगोप्ता । तन्नो निधेहि करपङ्कजमार्तबन्धो तप्तस्तनेषु च शिर:सु च किङ्करीणाम् ॥ ४१ ॥
vyaktaṁ bhavān vraja-bhayārti-haro ’bhijāto devo yathādi-puruṣaḥ sura-loka-goptā tan no nidhehi kara-paṅkajam ārta-bandho tapta-staneṣu ca śiraḥsu ca kiṅkarīṇām
Offenkundig bist Du erschienen, um Furcht und Not der Menschen von Vraja zu nehmen, so wie der urerste Herr die Welt der Halbgötter beschützt. Darum, o Freund der Bedrängten, lege Deine Lotoshand auf die Häupter und auf die brennenden Brüste von uns, Deinen Dienerinnen.
FAQs
In this verse the gopīs affirm that Kṛṣṇa has manifested specifically to dispel the fear and suffering of Vraja (vraja-bhaya-ārti-hara), revealing His protective, shelter-giving nature to His devotees.
They recognize that the beloved Kṛṣṇa before them is not merely a village boy but the Supreme Original Person who even safeguards the heavenly realms—yet He chooses to personally care for the residents of Vraja.
When distressed, approach Kṛṣṇa with honesty and dependence—through prayer, nāma-japa, and service—trusting Him as the true well-wisher who grants inner cooling, steadiness, and guidance.