Shloka 4

Devanagari script

गोपवृद्धांश्च विधिवद् यविष्ठैरभिवन्दित: । यथावयो यथासख्यं यथासम्बन्धमात्मन: ॥ ४ ॥ समुपेत्याथ गोपालान् हास्यहस्तग्रहादिभि: । विश्रान्तं सुखमासीनं पप्रच्छु: पर्युपागता: ॥ ५ ॥ पृष्टाश्चानामयं स्वेषु प्रेमगद्गदया गिरा । कृष्णे कमलपत्राक्षे सन्न्यस्ताखिलराधस: ॥ ६ ॥

Transliteration

gopa-vṛddhāṁś ca vidhi-vad yaviṣṭhair abhivanditaḥ yathā-vayo yathā-sakhyaṁ yathā-sambandham ātmanaḥ

Translation

Der Herr Balarāma erwies den älteren Kuhhirten die gebührende Ehrerbietung, und die Jüngeren begrüßten Ihn ebenfalls respektvoll. Je nach Alter, Freundschaft und Verwandtschaft begegnete Er jedem persönlich mit Lächeln, Handschlag und dergleichen. Dann ruhte der Herr aus, nahm bequem Platz, und alle versammelten sich um Ihn. Mit vor Liebe stockender Stimme erkundigten sich jene Kuhhirten, die alles dem lotosäugigen Kṛṣṇa anvertraut hatten, nach dem Wohlergehen ihrer Lieben in Dvārakā, und Balarāma fragte seinerseits nach dem Befinden der Kuhhirten.

Synonyms

गोप-वृद्धान्the elder cowherds

चand

विधि-वत्properly, as prescribed

यविष्ठैःby the youngest (ones)

अभिवन्दितःwas respectfully greeted

यथा-अवयःaccording to (their) age

यथा-सख्यम्according to friendship

यथा-सम्बन्धम्according to relationship

आत्मनःof himself / his own

Characters & Entities

Gopas (cowherd men of Vraja)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about respecting elders?

This verse highlights vidhivat—proper, dharmic etiquette—where younger members honor elder gopas, showing that devotion is expressed through humble social conduct.

Why does Śukadeva Gosvāmī describe greetings by age, friendship, and relationship?

He depicts the natural, affectionate order of Vraja life—relationships are personal and devotional, so interactions follow one’s specific bond, not mere formality.

Practical application of Vedic etiquette in modern life?

Maintain humility and appropriate respect—honor seniors, be warm with friends, and act responsibly within each relationship, making devotion visible through behavior.