Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 21
Kāliya-damana: Kṛṣṇa Subdues the Serpent and Purifies the Yamunā
ता: कृष्णमातरमपत्यमनुप्रविष्टां तुल्यव्यथा: समनुगृह्य शुच: स्रवन्त्य: । तास्ता व्रजप्रियकथा: कथयन्त्य आसन् कृष्णाननेऽर्पितदृशो मृतकप्रतीका: ॥ २१ ॥
tāḥ kṛṣṇa-mātaram apatyam anupraviṣṭāṁ tulya-vyathāḥ samanugṛhya śucaḥ sravantyaḥ tās tā vraja-priya-kathāḥ kathayantya āsan kṛṣṇānane ’rpita-dṛśo mṛtaka-pratīkāḥ
Though they too were stricken with the same pain and their tears were flowing, the gopīs supported and restrained Kṛṣṇa’s mother, whose consciousness had wholly entered her son. With eyes fixed on Kṛṣṇa’s face, like lifeless bodies, they took turns recounting the pastimes and dear stories of Vraja’s beloved.
FAQs
This verse shows the Vraja women weeping, trying to console Yaśodā, yet remaining utterly fixed on Kṛṣṇa—so absorbed in love that they seem almost lifeless without His safety.
Because they shared the same grief and tried to comfort Yaśodā by recalling dear, intimate memories of Vraja and Kṛṣṇa, even while their attention stayed on Kṛṣṇa’s face.
It teaches steady remembrance of Kṛṣṇa in crisis—supporting others with compassion while keeping one’s mind and “gaze” (attention) anchored in the Lord.