Shloka 32

Gopī-Vipralambha: The Search for Kṛṣṇa and the Revelation of Divine Footprints

Devanagari script

अत्र प्रसूनावचय: प्रियार्थे प्रेयसा कृत: । प्रपदाक्रमण एते पश्यतासकले पदे ॥ ३२ ॥

Transliteration

atra prasūnāvacayaḥ priyārthe preyasā kṛtaḥ prapadākramaṇa ete paśyatāsakale pade

Translation

See how, in this place, dear Kṛṣṇa gathered flowers for His beloved. Here only the front of His feet is impressed, for He stood on His toes to reach the blossoms.

Synonyms

• atra: here
• atra: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: atra (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; deśa-viśeṣaṇa (locative adverb)

• prasūna-avacayaḥ: gathering of flowers
• prasūna-avacayaḥ: Karta (कर्ता) (of implied ‘āsīt’)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prasūna (प्रातिपदिक) + avacaya (प्रातिपदिक; from ava-√ci)
• Form: Puṁliṅga (Masculine), Prathamā (Nominative, 1st), Ekavacana (Singular); tatpuruṣa: prasūnānām avacayaḥ = ‘gathering of flowers’

• priya-arthe: for the beloved’s sake
• priya-arthe: Prayojana (प्रयोजन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: priya (प्रातिपदिक) + artha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga (Masculine), Saptamī (Locative, 7th), Ekavacana (Singular); tatpuruṣa: priyasya arthe = ‘for the sake of the beloved’ (locative of purpose)

• preyasā: by the lover (dear one)
• preyasā: Karaṇa/Agent (करण/कर्तृ)
• Type: Noun
• Root: preyas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga (Masculine), Tṛtīyā (Instrumental, 3rd), Ekavacana (Singular)

• kṛtaḥ: was done/made
• kṛtaḥ: Kriyā (predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: kṛ (धातु)
• Form: Kṛdanta; Past passive participle (क्त), Puṁliṅga (Masculine), Prathamā (Nominative, 1st), Ekavacana (Singular); agrees with avacayaḥ

• prapada-ākramaṇe: in the stepping forward
• prapada-ākramaṇe: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prapada (प्रातिपदिक) + ākramaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसakaliṅga (Neuter), Saptamī (Locative, 7th), Ekavacana (Singular); tatpuruṣa: prapadasya ākramaṇe = ‘in the placing of the forefoot/step’

• ete: these
• ete: Karta (कर्ता) (of implied ‘santi’)
• Type: Noun
• Root: etad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga (Masculine), Prathamā (Nominative, 1st), Bahuvacana (Plural)

• paśyata: see!
• paśyata: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: dṛś (धातु)
• Form: Loṭ (Imperative, लोट्), Parasmaipada, Madhyama puruṣa (2nd), Bahuvacana (Plural)

• asakale: not whole, incomplete
• asakale: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: asakala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga/Napuṁsaka by form; Saptamī (Locative, 7th), Ekavacana (Singular); qualifies pade

• pade: in the footprint/step
• pade: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pada (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसakaliṅga (Neuter), Saptamī (Locative, 7th), Ekavacana (Singular)

Characters & Entities

• Kṛṣṇa
• the gopīs
• a beloved gopī (Śrī Rādhā implied in the narrative)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Krishna gathering flowers for His beloved?

This verse describes the gopīs noticing that Kṛṣṇa picked flowers specifically to please His beloved, revealing His tender, personal love within Vraja-līlā.

Why are the gopīs describing Krishna’s footprints and toe-steps?

While searching for Kṛṣṇa, the gopīs read devotional “clues” in His footprints; the close, toe-stepping marks suggest a delicate, intimate movement—often understood as Kṛṣṇa walking carefully, absorbed in love with His beloved.

How can devotees apply the lesson of this shloka in modern life?

Serve with attentiveness and affection: like Kṛṣṇa’s small acts meant to please His beloved, practice bhakti through thoughtful, loving offerings and mindful care in relationships centered on devotion.