Shloka 14
The Gopīs Glorify the Song of Kṛṣṇa’s Flute
Veṇu-gīta
प्रायो बताम्ब विहगा मुनयो वनेऽस्मिन् कृष्णेक्षितं तदुदितं कलवेणुगीतम् । आरुह्य ये द्रुमभुजान् रुचिरप्रवालान् शृण्वन्ति मीलितदृशो विगतान्यवाच: ॥ १४ ॥
prāyo batāmba vihagā munayo vane ’smin kṛṣṇekṣitaṁ tad-uditaṁ kala-veṇu-gītam āruhya ye druma-bhujān rucira-pravālān śṛṇvanti mīlita-dṛśo vigatānya-vācaḥ
O mother, in this forest the birds seem equal to great sages. To behold Kṛṣṇa they perch upon the trees’ lovely branches, close their eyes, and in silence listen only to the sweet vibrations of His flute, drawn by no other sound.
The birds resemble sages because they live in the forest, keep their eyes closed, observe silence and remain motionless. Significantly, it is stated here that even great sages become maddened by the sound of Kṛṣṇa’s flute, which is a completely spiritual vibration.
FAQs
In this verse, the gopīs say that even the birds become silent and absorbed—like sages—when they see Kṛṣṇa and hear the sweet melody of His flute in Vṛndāvana.
Because the birds display qualities associated with realized sages—focused attention, inward absorption, and silence—while listening to Kṛṣṇa’s veṇu-gīta, as if in meditation.
Practice attentive śravaṇa (hearing) of Kṛṣṇa-kathā and kīrtana with fewer distractions—listening until the mind naturally becomes quiet and focused, like the birds described here.