Shloka 3
Uddhava Meets the Gopīs: Bhramara-gītā and Kṛṣṇa’s Message of Separation
तं प्रश्रयेणावनता: सुसत्कृतं सव्रीडहासेक्षणसूनृतादिभि: । रहस्यपृच्छन्नुपविष्टमासने विज्ञाय सन्देशहरं रमापते: ॥ ३ ॥
taṁ praśrayeṇāvanatāḥ su-sat-kṛtaṁ sa-vrīḍa-hāsekṣaṇa-sūnṛtādibhiḥ rahasy apṛcchann upaviṣṭam āsane vijñāya sandeśa-haraṁ ramā-pateḥ
With heads bowed in humility, the gopīs properly honored Uddhava with shy, smiling glances and sweet words. They then led him to a secluded place, seated him comfortably, and—recognizing him as the messenger of Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the Lord of Lakṣmī—began to question him in confidence.
The chaste gopīs were enlivened to see that a messenger had come from Kṛṣṇa. As Uddhava will discover during his stay in Vṛndāvana, the unique gopīs could not think of anything but their beloved Kṛṣṇa.
FAQs
It describes the gopīs bowing humbly and honoring Uddhava with shy smiles, sidelong glances, and sweet words, recognizing him as Kṛṣṇa’s messenger.
Because they understood he carried a personal message from Kṛṣṇa; their love is intimate and private, so they asked him in confidence about Kṛṣṇa and His intentions.
It teaches respectful reception of saintly messengers/teachers, humility in inquiry, and heartfelt, sincere communication in one’s relationship with God.