Shloka 15
The Kātyāyanī-vrata, the Stealing of the Gopīs’ Garments, and Kṛṣṇa’s Teaching on Purified Desire
श्यामसुन्दर ते दास्य: करवाम तवोदितम् । देहि वासांसि धर्मज्ञ नो चेद् राज्ञे ब्रुवाम हे ॥ १५ ॥
śyāmasundara te dāsyaḥ karavāma tavoditam dehi vāsāṁsi dharma-jña no ced rājñe bruvāma he
O Syamasundara, we are Your maidservants and must do whatever You say. But give us back our clothing. You know what the religious principles are, and if You don’t give us our clothes we will have to tell the king. Please!
FAQs
In this verse the gopīs openly identify themselves as Krishna’s maidservants and agree to follow His instruction, showing wholehearted surrender even while requesting their clothes back.
Krishna had taken their garments during their Kātyāyanī-vrata bath; the gopīs, feeling shy, plead for their clothes and—half in protest, half in playful bargaining—say they will complain to the king if He does not return them.
It teaches sincere accountability and humility: accept guidance from the Divine, but also speak honestly and respectfully when boundaries, dignity, or dharma feel challenged.