Shloka 17
The Kātyāyanī-vrata, the Stealing of the Gopīs’ Garments, and Kṛṣṇa’s Teaching on Purified Desire
ततो जलाशयात् सर्वा दारिका: शीतवेपिता: । पाणिभ्यां योनिमाच्छाद्य प्रोत्तेरु: शीतकर्शिता: ॥ १७ ॥
tato jalāśayāt sarvā dārikāḥ śīta-vepitāḥ pāṇibhyāṁ yonim ācchādya protteruḥ śīta-karśitāḥ
Then, shivering from the painful cold, all the young girls rose up out of the water, covering their pubic area with their hands.
The gopīs had assured Kṛṣṇa that they were His eternal servants and would do whatever He said, and thus they were now defeated by their own words. If they delayed any longer, they thought, some other man might come along, and this would be unbearable for them. The gopīs loved Kṛṣṇa so much that even in that awkward situation their attachment to Him was increasing more and more, and they were very eager to stay in His company. Thus they did not even consider drowning themselves in the river because of the embarrassing situation.
FAQs
The gopīs, shivering from the cold after bathing, come out of the water and modestly cover themselves with their hands—setting the scene for Kṛṣṇa’s Vastraharaṇa pastime.
Śukadeva Gosvāmī is narrating these events to Mahārāja Parīkṣit.
It highlights the gopīs’ simplicity and vulnerability, reminding practitioners that sincere devotion often involves humility and complete dependence on the Lord’s protection.