Shloka 12
The Gopīs Glorify the Song of Kṛṣṇa’s Flute
Veṇu-gīta
कृष्णं निरीक्ष्य वनितोत्सवरूपशीलं श्रुत्वा च तत्क्वणितवेणुविविक्तगीतम् । देव्यो विमानगतय: स्मरनुन्नसारा भ्रश्यत्प्रसूनकबरा मुमुहुर्विनीव्य: ॥ १२ ॥
kṛṣṇaṁ nirīkṣya vanitotsava-rūpa-śīlaṁ śrutvā ca tat-kvaṇita-veṇu-vivikta-gītam devyo vimāna-gatayaḥ smara-nunna-sārā bhraśyat-prasūna-kabarā mumuhur vinīvyaḥ
Beholding Kṛṣṇa—whose beauty and character are a festival for all women—and hearing the solitary song of His resonant flute, the wives of the devas, traveling with their husbands in celestial vimānas, were stirred by Kāma. So bewildered were they that flowers slipped from their hair, their girdles loosened, and they nearly swooned.
In Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Śrīla Prabhupāda comments: “[This verse indicates] that the transcendental sound of the flute of Kṛṣṇa extended to all corners of the universe. Also, it is significant that the gopīs knew about the different kinds of airplanes flying in the sky.”
FAQs
In this verse, Krishna’s flute-song is so pure and captivating that even celestial women in aerial chariots lose composure—showing the flute as a direct carrier of Krishna’s divine charm and bhakti-rasa.
Śukadeva describes them as being struck by smara (Cupid)—their hearts are overwhelmed by Krishna’s beauty and sweet nature, and the distinct melody of His flute intensifies that absorption until they swoon.
The verse highlights the mind’s natural attraction to beauty and sound; a devotee can redirect that same capacity by regularly hearing and remembering Krishna—through kīrtana, śravaṇa, and contemplation of His līlā.