Shloka 11
The Kātyāyanī-vrata, the Stealing of the Gopīs’ Garments, and Kṛṣṇa’s Teaching on Purified Desire
न मयोदितपूर्वं वा अनृतं तदिमे विदु: । एकैकश: प्रतीच्छध्वं सहैवेति सुमध्यमा: ॥ ११ ॥
na mayodita-pūrvaṁ vā anṛtaṁ tad ime viduḥ ekaikaśaḥ pratīcchadhvaṁ sahaiveti su-madhyamāḥ
I have never spoken a lie before, and these boys know it. Therefore, O slender-waisted girls, come forward—one by one or all together—and take your clothes back.
FAQs
In this verse, Kṛṣṇa declares that He has never previously spoken a lie, using His truthfulness to reassure the gopīs even while orchestrating a playful līlā meant to deepen their surrender and devotion.
Kṛṣṇa speaks to the gopīs to remove fear and hesitation and to bring them to openly approach Him; the līlā tests and purifies their devotion, drawing them from social embarrassment into wholehearted dependence on Him.
Cultivate integrity in speech and learn to approach God without hiding—offering oneself honestly and fully, even when ego feels exposed, trusting that divine dealings ultimately purify and uplift.