Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 42
Paugaṇḍa Cowherding, Tālavana, the Slaying of Dhenukāsura, and Revival from Poisoned Yamunā Water
तं गोरजश्छुरितकुन्तलबद्धबर्ह- वन्यप्रसूनरुचिरेक्षणचारुहासम् । वेणुम्क्वणन्तमनुगैरुपगीतकीर्तिं गोप्यो दिदृक्षितदृशोऽभ्यगमन् समेता: ॥ ४२ ॥
taṁ gorajaś-churita-kuntala-baddha-barha- vanya-prasūna-rucirekṣaṇa-cāru-hāsam veṇum kvaṇantam anugair upagīta-kīrtiṁ gopyo didṛkṣita-dṛśo ’bhyagaman sametāḥ
Kṛṣṇa’s hair, dusted by the cows’ rising powder, was adorned with a peacock feather and forest flowers. With charming glances and a beautiful smile, He played His flute as His companions sang His glories, and the gopīs, their eyes eager to behold Him, came forward together to meet Him.
Superficially, the gopīs were young married girls, and therefore they would naturally be ashamed and fearful of casting loving glances at a beautiful young boy like Śrī Kṛṣṇa. But Śrī Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and all living beings are His eternal servants. Thus the gopīs, although the most pure-hearted of all great souls, did not hesitate to come forward and satisfy their love-struck eyes by drinking in the sight of beautiful young Kṛṣṇa. The gopīs also relished the sweet sound of His flute and the enchanting fragrance of His body.
FAQs
This verse depicts the gopīs approaching together with eyes eager for darśana, showing that intense longing to behold Kṛṣṇa is itself a hallmark of pure bhakti.
Hearing and seeing Kṛṣṇa in Vṛndāvana—playing the flute and surrounded by companions—draws them irresistibly; they assemble and go as a group, absorbed in affection and attraction to His presence.
Use this verse for rūpa-dhyāna: contemplate Kṛṣṇa’s smile, glance, and flute-song while chanting His names, turning the mind from distraction toward loving remembrance.