Shloka 13
Balarāma Visits Vraja: Consoling the Gopīs and Dragging the Yamunā
कथं नु गृह्णन्त्यनवस्थितात्मनो वच: कृतघ्नस्य बुधा: पुरस्त्रिय: । गृह्णन्ति वै चित्रकथस्य सुन्दर- स्मितावलोकोच्छ्वसितस्मरातुरा: ॥ १३ ॥
kathaṁ nu gṛhṇanty anavasthitātmano vacaḥ kṛta-ghnasya budhāḥ pura-striyaḥ gṛhṇanti vai citra-kathasya sundara- smitāvalokocchvasita-smarāturāḥ
How can the wise women of the city trust the words of one whose heart is unsteady and who is ungrateful? Yet they do believe Him, for His speech is wondrously charming, and His beautiful smiling glances awaken in them the fever of desire.
According to Śrīdhara Svāmī, some gopīs speak the first two lines of this verse, and others reply in the second two lines.
FAQs
This verse says even wise city women accept and are overwhelmed by Kṛṣṇa’s words and presence—his speech, smiles, glances, and breath awaken intense longing, showing His extraordinary, captivating potency.
In the mood of the narrative, it reflects the women’s humanlike complaint born of separation and longing—seeing Him as hard to grasp and not reciprocating as they hope—while the text simultaneously highlights how His charm still conquers their hearts.
It warns that charm and eloquence can overpower even the intelligent; a devotee should cultivate discrimination, and redirect powerful attraction toward remembrance of Kṛṣṇa through hearing, chanting, and regulated devotion.