Shloka 26

Veṇu-gīta-āhvāna and the Gopīs’ Appeal: The Opening of Rāsa-līlā

Devanagari script

अस्वर्ग्यमयशस्यं च फल्गु कृच्छ्रं भयावहम् । जुगुप्सितं च सर्वत्र ह्यौपपत्यं कुलस्त्रिय: ॥ २६ ॥

Transliteration

asvargyam ayaśasyaṁ ca phalgu kṛcchraṁ bhayāvaham jugupsitaṁ ca sarvatra hy aupapatyaṁ kula-striyaḥ

Translation

For a woman of a respectable family, petty adulterous affairs are condemned everywhere. They bar the way to heaven, destroy one’s good name, and bring hardship and fear.

Synonyms

• asvargyam: not leading to heaven
• asvargyam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: a-svargya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Negative prefix a-; Neuter, Nominative/Accusative, Singular; predicate adjective to 'aupapatyam'

• ayaśasyam: disgraceful
• ayaśasyam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: a-yaśasya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Negative prefix a-; Neuter, Nominative/Accusative, Singular; predicate adjective to 'aupapatyam'

• ca: and
• ca: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction (समुच्चय-अव्यय)

• phalgu: paltry, worthless
• phalgu: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: phalgu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative/Accusative, Singular; predicate adjective to 'aupapatyam'

• kṛcchram: painful, difficult
• kṛcchram: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kṛcchra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative/Accusative, Singular; predicate adjective to 'aupapatyam'

• bhayāvaham: bringing fear
• bhayāvaham: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bhaya (प्रातिपदik) + āvaha (प्रातिपदिक; √vah)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (उपपद-तत्पुरुष: 'bringing fear'); Neuter, Nominative/Accusative, Singular; predicate adjective to 'aupapatyam'

• jugupsitam: detestable
• jugupsitam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: jugupsita (प्रातिपदिक; √gup with desiderative nuance, kta)
• Form: kta-participle used adjectivally; Neuter, Nominative/Accusative, Singular; predicate adjective to 'aupapatyam'

• ca: and
• ca: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction (समुच्चय-अव्यय)

• sarvatra: everywhere
• sarvatra: Deśa-adhikaraṇa (देश-अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sarvatra (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (देश-अव्यय)

• hi: indeed
• hi: Nipāta (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: hi (अव्यय)
• Form: Emphatic particle (निपात)

• aupapatyam: adultery, illicit liaison
• aupapatyam: Kartā (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: aupapatya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• kula-striyaḥ: respectable women
• kula-striyaḥ: Kartā (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kula (प्रातिपदिक) + strī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: 'women of a family/noble women'); Feminine, Nominative, Plural

Characters & Entities

• Śrī Kṛṣṇa
• Gopīs (Vraja-devīs)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about illicit relationships (aupapātya)?

In this verse, Kṛṣṇa states that illicit association is condemned everywhere and brings infamy, fear, hardship, and only trivial pleasure—thus it is not a spiritually elevating path.

Why did Krishna say this to the gopis in Canto 10 Chapter 29?

Kṛṣṇa speaks in a dharmic, cautionary tone to test and deepen the gopīs’ devotion, externally discouraging what appears socially improper while revealing their love is not ordinary lust but pure surrender.

How can I apply this teaching in modern life according to Bhagavatam?

Avoid relationships rooted in secrecy and exploitation, since they breed fear and suffering; instead cultivate integrity and channel desire into steady, devotional practices that purify the heart.