Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 22
Rāsa-līlā Begins; Divine Multiplication; Moral Doubt and Its Resolution
ताभिर्युत: श्रममपोहितुमङ्गसङ्ग- घृष्टस्रज: स कुचकुङ्कुमरञ्जिताया: । गन्धर्वपालिभिरनुद्रुत आविशद् वा: श्रान्तो गजीभिरिभराडिव भिन्नसेतु: ॥ २२ ॥
tābhir yutaḥ śramam apohitum aṅga-saṅga- ghṛṣṭa-srajaḥ sa kuca-kuṅkuma-rañjitāyāḥ gandharva-pālibhir anudruta āviśad vāḥ śrānto gajībhir ibha-rāḍ iva bhinna-setuḥ
Lord Kṛṣṇa’s garland, crushed in His amorous play with the gopīs, was reddened by the kuṅkuma from their breasts. To dispel their fatigue He entered the waters of the Yamunā, swiftly followed by bees singing like Gandharvas. He appeared like a majestic king of elephants entering the water to relax with his consorts; indeed, the Lord transcended worldly and even Vedic conventions, as a powerful elephant might break the dikes of a paddy field.
FAQs
It depicts Kṛṣṇa, accompanied by the gopīs, entering the waters to relieve fatigue, with vivid devotional imagery showing their intimate yet transcendental association.
The simile emphasizes His powerful, majestic movement as He enters the water, while also conveying the playful exhaustion after sportive pastimes with the gopīs.
By remembering that Kṛṣṇa is the center of all pure love and joy, one can redirect worldly longing into devotion—seeking spiritual refreshment through sincere bhakti and remembrance of His līlās.