Shloka 4

Gopī-gīta Aftermath: Kṛṣṇa Returns and Explains Divine Non-Reciprocation

Rāsa-līlā Dialogue

Devanagari script

काचित् कराम्बुजं शौरेर्जगृहेऽञ्जलिना मुदा । काचिद् दधार तद्बाहुमंसे चन्दनभूषितम् ॥ ४ ॥

Transliteration

kācit karāmbujaṁ śaurer jagṛhe ’ñjalinā mudā kācid dadhāra tad-bāhum aṁse candana-bhūṣitam

Translation

Eine gopī ergriff freudig Śauris lotusgleiche Hand zwischen ihren gefalteten Händen; eine andere legte Seinen mit Sandelpaste geschmückten Arm auf ihre Schulter.

Synonyms

• काचित्: one (gopī)
• काचित्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: काचित् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; indefinite pronoun

• कर-अम्बुजम्: the lotus-like hand
• कर-अम्बुजम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर (प्रातिपदिक) + अम्बुज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारयसमास: अम्बुजम् इव करः; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• शौरेः: of Śauri (Kṛṣṇa)
• शौरेः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शौरि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन

• जगृहे: took/held
• जगृहे: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ग्रह् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद

• अञ्जलिना: with joined palms
• अञ्जलिना: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अञ्जलि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd case), एकवचन; करण (instrument)

• मुदा: with joy
• मुदा: Hetu/Prakara (हेतु/प्रकार)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुद्/मुदा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; भावे तृतीया (instrumental of manner)

• काचित्: another one
• काचित्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: काचित् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; indefinite pronoun

• दधार: placed/held
• दधार: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: धृ (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• तत्: that
• तत्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; बाहुम् इति विशेषण

• बाहुम्: arm
• बाहुम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बाहु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• अंसे: on (her) shoulder
• अंसे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अंस (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th case), एकवचन

• चन्दन-भूषितम्: adorned with sandal paste
• चन्दन-भूषितम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चन्दन (प्रातिपदिक) + भूषित (कृदन्त; भूष् धातु)
• Form: तत्पुरुषसमास: चन्दनेन भूषितम्; पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; बाहुम् इति विशेषण

Characters & Entities

• Krishna (Śauri)
• Gopis

FAQs

What does Srimad Bhagavatam say about the gopīs’ service to Krishna in the Rāsa-līlā?

This verse depicts the gopīs’ spontaneous, intimate service—holding Krishna’s lotus hand with reverence and placing His sandalwood-scented arm on their shoulders—showing love expressed through personal attendance to the Lord.

Why are the gopīs holding Krishna’s hand and placing His arm on their shoulders?

In the flow of the Rāsa-līlā, their love naturally seeks closeness and service; these gestures show affectionate devotion and Krishna’s reciprocal acceptance of their prema.

How can this verse be applied in modern devotional life?

It teaches bhakti as joyful, personal service—offering oneself with reverence (like joined palms) and affectionate dedication—bringing devotion from mere ritual into heartfelt relationship with Krishna.