Shloka 2
Balarāma Visits Vraja: Consoling the Gopīs and Dragging the Yamunā
परिष्वक्तश्चिरोत्कण्ठैर्गोपैर्गोपीभिरेव च । रामोऽभिवाद्य पितरावाशीर्भिरभिनन्दित: ॥ २ ॥
pariṣvaktaś cirotkaṇṭhair gopair gopībhir eva ca rāmo ’bhivādya pitarāv āśīrbhir abhinanditaḥ
Die Kuhhirten und ihre Frauen, lange von Trennung gequält, umarmten Rāma. Dann erwies Er Seinen Eltern Ehrerbietung, und sie begrüßten Ihn freudig mit Segenswünschen und Gebeten.
Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī gives the following verse regarding this situation:
FAQs
This verse describes the Vrajavāsīs—gopas and gopīs—embracing Balarāma after long longing, showing the depth of their loving attachment (bhakti) and the sweetness of reunion in Krishna’s pastimes.
Although divine, Balarāma honors Vraja’s parental elders by bowing to Nanda and Yaśodā, illustrating ideal conduct (maryādā) and the sanctity of familial devotion in Vraja-līlā.
Maintain humility and gratitude toward parents and elders, and value sincere relationships—longing, remembrance, and respectful reunion deepen love and devotion rather than weakening it.