Shloka 22
Gopī-gīta in Separation: The Flute’s Call and Vraja’s Ecstatic Response
वत्सलो व्रजगवां यदगध्रो वन्द्यमानचरण: पथि वृद्धै: । कृत्स्नगोधनमुपोह्य दिनान्ते गीतवेणुरनुगेडितकीर्ति: ॥ २२ ॥ उत्सवं श्रमरुचापि दृशीना- मुन्नयन् खुररजश्छुरितस्रक् । दित्सयैति सुहृदासिष एष देवकीजठरभूरुडुराज: ॥ २३ ॥
vatsalo vraja-gavāṁ yad aga-dhro vandyamāna-caraṇaḥ pathi vṛddhaiḥ kṛtsna-go-dhanam upohya dinānte gīta-veṇur anugeḍita-kīrtiḥ
Out of tender love for the cows of Vraja, Kṛṣṇa became the lifter of Govardhana. At day’s end, having gathered the entire herd, He returns playing a song upon His flute; along the path the elders worship His lotus feet, and the cowherd boys who accompany Him chant His glories. His garland is dusted by the cows’ hoof-raised powder, and His beauty—enhanced by fatigue—becomes a festival for the eyes; eager to fulfill His friends’ desires, Kṛṣṇa is like the moon arisen from Yaśodā’s womb.
According to the ācāryas, at this point the gopīs climbed into the watchtowers of Vṛndāvana’s houses so they could see Kṛṣṇa as soon as possible when He returned home. Mother Yaśodā was very anxious for her son to come back, and therefore she had the tallest of the beautiful young gopīs climb up to see when He would arrive. It is implied here that Kṛṣṇa was somewhat delayed on the way home because His lotus feet were being worshiped by great demigods along the path.
FAQs
This verse describes Krishna as vatsala—tenderly affectionate to the Vraja cows—personally bringing the whole herd home at day’s end, showing His intimate, protective care.
The verse portrays Krishna’s feet being honored by the elders, indicating that even senior Vraja residents recognize His divine excellence and auspicious presence, despite His appearing as a cowherd boy.
Cultivate affectionate service (vatsalatā) toward those under your care, and remember Krishna through sound—like the flute’s music—by regularly hearing and chanting His glories.