Shloka 17
Gopī-gīta Aftermath: Kṛṣṇa Returns and Explains Divine Non-Reciprocation
Rāsa-līlā Dialogue
श्रीभगवानुवाच मिथो भजन्ति ये सख्य: स्वार्थैकान्तोद्यमा हि ते । न तत्र सौहृदं धर्म: स्वार्थार्थं तद्धि नान्यथा ॥ १७ ॥
śrī-bhagavān uvāca mitho bhajanti ye sakhyaḥ svārthaikāntodyamā hi te na tatra sauhṛdaṁ dharmaḥ svārthārthaṁ tad dhi nānyathā
The Supreme Lord said: Those who show affection to one another as “friends” only for their own advantage are selfish. In that there is neither true friendship nor true dharma; without personal gain they would not reciprocate.
The Lord here reminds the gopīs that in pure loving friendship there is no sense of selfish interest but rather only love for one’s friend.
FAQs
In 10.32.17, Kṛṣṇa explains that relationships based purely on self-interest lack true goodwill (sauhṛda) and are not dharmic; they are maintained only for personal gain.
In the Rāsa-līlā context, Kṛṣṇa is clarifying the difference between ordinary, self-serving attachment and the gopīs’ selfless devotion, highlighting that real love is not motivated by personal benefit.
Examine whether your relationships are transactional; cultivate service, honesty, and goodwill without expecting returns—this aligns bonds with dharma and supports bhakti-centered living.