Shloka 10
Balarāma Visits Vraja: Consoling the Gopīs and Dragging the Yamunā
कच्चित् स्मरति वा बन्धून् पितरं मातरं च स: । अप्यसौ मातरं द्रष्टुं सकृदप्यागमिष्यति । अपि वा स्मरतेऽस्माकमनुसेवां महाभुज: ॥ १० ॥
kaccit smarati vā bandhūn pitaraṁ mātaraṁ ca saḥ apy asau mātaraṁ draṣṭuṁ sakṛd apy āgamiṣyati api vā smarate ’smākam anusevāṁ mahā-bhujaḥ
“Does He remember His own people, especially His father and mother? Will He ever come, even once, to see His mother? And does mighty-armed Kṛṣṇa remember the constant service we rendered to Him?”
Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī comments that the gopīs would render service to Lord Kṛṣṇa by stringing flower garlands, skillfully using perfumes, and constructing fans, beds and canopies out of flower petals. By these simple acts of love, the gopīs rendered the greatest service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
FAQs
This verse shows the gopīs’ intense viraha-bhakti: even in separation they can think only of Kṛṣṇa—wondering if He remembers His parents and whether He remembers their loving service.
In the narrative of Canto 10, Kṛṣṇa remains in Mathurā/Dvārakā after leaving Vraja; the gopīs, overwhelmed by love, express their longing and concern that He might not return even once to see Yaśodā.
It teaches steady remembrance: true devotion keeps the heart connected to the Lord through longing, gratitude for opportunities of service, and concern for His devotees.