Shloka 13

The Kātyāyanī-vrata, the Stealing of the Gopīs’ Garments, and Kṛṣṇa’s Teaching on Purified Desire

Devanagari script

एवं ब्रुवति गोविन्दे नर्मणाक्षिप्तचेतस: । आकण्ठमग्ना: शीतोदे वेपमानास्तमब्रुवन् ॥ १३ ॥

Transliteration

evaṁ bruvati govinde narmaṇākṣipta-cetasaḥ ā-kaṇṭha-magnāḥ śītode vepamānās tam abruvan

Translation

As Sri Govinda spoke to the gopis in this way, His joking words completely captivated their minds. Submerged up to their necks in the cold water, they began to shiver. Thus they addressed Him as follows.

Synonyms

• एवम्: thus
• एवम्: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एवम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकारवाचक क्रियाविशेषण (adverb of manner)

• ब्रुवति: (he) speaks
• ब्रुवति: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ब्रू (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), परस्मैपद; प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (singular)

• गोविन्दे: in/with regard to Govinda
• गोविन्दे: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गोविन्द (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; सप्तमी विभक्ति (Locative/7th), एकवचन

• नर्मणा: by jesting
• नर्मणा: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नर्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; तृतीया विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), एकवचन

• आक्षिप्त-चेतसः: whose minds were distracted
• आक्षिप्त-चेतसः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आ-क्षिप् (धातु) + चेतस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कृदन्त (क्त participle) ‘आक्षिप्त’ + ‘चेतस्’; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (genitive determinative): ‘आक्षिप्तं चेतः येषाम्’; पुंलिङ्ग/स्त्रीलिङ्ग; प्रथमा विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• आ-कण्ठ-मग्नाः: submerged up to the neck
• आ-कण्ठ-मग्नाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कण्ठ (प्रातिपदिक) + मग्न (प्रातिपदिक/कृदन्त)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव समास: ‘आकण्ठम्’ (up to the neck) + ‘मग्न’ (past participial adjective); प्रथमा विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• शीत-उदे: in cold water
• शीत-उदे: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शीत (प्रातिपदिक) + उदक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष (कर्मधारय/विशेषणपूर्वपद) ‘शीतम् उदकम्’ → ‘शीतोदक’; नपुंसकलिङ्ग; सप्तमी विभक्ति, एकवचन

• वेपमानाः: trembling
• वेपमानाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वेप् (धातु)
• Form: वर्तमान कृदन्त (शतृ/शानच्) परस्मैपदी; प्रथमा विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• तम्: him
• तम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन

• अब्रुवन्: they said
• अब्रुवन्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ब्रू (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (Imperfect/past), परस्मैपद; प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन

Purport

Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura gives the following example of joking between Kṛṣṇa and the gopīs.

Characters & Entities

• Govinda (Śrī Kṛṣṇa)
• Gopīs (Vraja girls)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Krishna teasing the gopis during the Katyayani vrata?

This verse shows Kṛṣṇa (Govinda) speaking jokingly, while the gopīs—immersed in cold water—tremble and respond, highlighting His playful līlā that deepens their single-minded devotion.

Why did the gopis reply to Govinda while standing in cold water up to their necks?

In the narrative of the Kātyāyanī-vrata, the gopīs were placed in an intense, vulnerable situation; despite discomfort, they remained focused on Kṛṣṇa and answered Him, revealing steadfast attachment and surrender.

Practical application of the gopis’ mood in modern life?

Maintain devotion and integrity even under discomfort or social pressure—keep the mind anchored in the divine goal, and respond with humility and steadiness rather than agitation.