Shloka 14
The Brāhmaṇas’ Wives Blessed (Brāhmaṇa-patnī-prasāda) — Ritualism Humbled by Bhakti
मां ज्ञापयत पत्नीभ्य: ससङ्कर्षणमागतम् । दास्यन्ति काममन्नं व: स्निग्धा मय्युषिता धिया ॥ १४ ॥
māṁ jñāpayata patnībhyaḥ sa-saṅkarṣaṇam āgatam dāsyanti kāmam annaṁ vaḥ snigdhā mayy uṣitā dhiyā
[Lord Kṛṣṇa said:] Go and tell the brāhmaṇas’ wives that I have come here with Lord Saṅkarṣaṇa. They will surely give you as much food as you desire, for they are lovingly devoted to Me, and their minds dwell in Me alone.
While physically the wives of the brāhmaṇas remained at home, within their minds they resided in the Supreme Lord Kṛṣṇa because of intense affection for Him. Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura explains that the reason Lord Kṛṣṇa did not have the cowherd boys tell the brāhmaṇas’ wives He was hungry is that He knew this would severely distress these devoted ladies. Simply out of affection for Lord Kṛṣṇa, however, the wives would be happy to give all the food requested of them. They would not heed their husbands’ prohibitions, since they resided within the Lord through their transcendental intelligence.
FAQs
This verse highlights that the brāhmaṇas’ wives, whose minds dwell on Krishna with affection, naturally serve Him and His companions—showing heartfelt bhakti can surpass mere external ritual status.
In this episode, the brāhmaṇas refused despite performing sacrifices, while their wives were inwardly devoted. Krishna directs the boys to them to reveal that sincere love for Him leads to spontaneous, generous service.
Cultivate remembrance of Krishna in daily duties; when the mind is anchored in devotion, service and generosity arise naturally, without needing recognition or rigid formalism.