Shloka 14
The Kātyāyanī-vrata, the Stealing of the Gopīs’ Garments, and Kṛṣṇa’s Teaching on Purified Desire
मानयं भो: कृथास्त्वां तु नन्दगोपसुतं प्रियम् । जानीमोऽङ्ग व्रजश्लाघ्यं देहि वासांसि वेपिता: ॥ १४ ॥
mānayaṁ bhoḥ kṛthās tvāṁ tu nanda-gopa-sutaṁ priyam jānīmo ’ṅga vraja-ślāghyaṁ dehi vāsāṁsi vepitāḥ
Dear Krishna, don’t be unfair! We know that You are the respectable son of Nanda and that You are honored by everyone in Vraja. You are also very dear to us. Please give us back our clothes. We are shivering in the cold water.
FAQs
The gopīs address Kṛṣṇa as the beloved son of Nanda and the pride of Vraja, asking Him to act respectfully and return their garments because they are shivering—showing both their innocence and their intimate dependence on Him.
Because Kṛṣṇa had taken their clothes while they were bathing, and the gopīs—trembling in the cold—appeal to His identity as Vraja’s honored son, requesting Him to stop teasing and give their garments back.
It highlights sincere, direct prayer in vulnerability—turning to the Lord without pretense—while remembering His noble nature and seeking His grace with humility and trust.