Shloka 19
The Brāhmaṇas’ Wives Blessed (Brāhmaṇa-patnī-prasāda) — Ritualism Humbled by Bhakti
चतुर्विधं बहुगुणमन्नमादाय भाजनै: । अभिसस्रु: प्रियं सर्वा: समुद्रमिव निम्नगा: ॥ १९ ॥
catur-vidhaṁ bahu-guṇam annam ādāya bhājanaiḥ abhisasruḥ priyaṁ sarvāḥ samudram iva nimnagāḥ
Taking in large vessels the four kinds of foods, rich in fine tastes and aromas, all the ladies hurried forth to meet their beloved, just as rivers flow toward the sea.
Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura explains that the wives of the brāhmaṇas experienced conjugal feelings toward Kṛṣṇa, as if He were their paramour; thus they could not be checked as they rushed to see Him.
FAQs
This verse depicts their irresistible devotional attraction: carrying various fine foods, they rush to their beloved Krishna like rivers flowing to the ocean, showing that pure bhakti naturally seeks the Lord.
In the narrative, Krishna’s cowherd friends sought food from brāhmaṇas performing sacrifice; the brāhmaṇas refused, but their wives, moved by devotion, brought abundant preparations directly to Krishna.
Cultivate promptness in devotion—when an opportunity for service arises, act without delay, offering your best (time, attention, resources) to God with heartfelt love rather than mere formality.