Shloka 9
गोप्यो हसन्त्य: पप्रच्छू रामसन्दर्शनादृता: । कच्चिदास्ते सुखं कृष्ण: पुरस्त्रीजनवल्लभ: ॥ ९ ॥
gopyo hasantyaḥ papracchū rāma-sandarśanādṛtāḥ kaccid āste sukhaṁ kṛṣṇaḥ pura-strī-jana-vallabhaḥ
Honored to behold Lord Balarāma, the young gopīs smiled and asked Him, “Is Kṛṣṇa, the beloved of the city women, living happily?”
According to the ācāryas, Lord Kṛṣṇa’s beloved girlfriends were smiling with divine madness, since they were feeling extreme unhappiness in separation from their beloved Kṛṣṇa. Lord Rāma deeply respected their great love for Śrī Kṛṣṇa, His younger brother, and thus the term rāma-sandarśanādṛtāḥ carries the meaning that Balarāma honored the gopīs, as well as the given meaning, that they honored Him.
FAQs
It shows their affectionate concern and longing: even while smiling upon seeing Balarāma, their hearts turn immediately to Kṛṣṇa and His well-being.
In separation from Kṛṣṇa, they hear He is surrounded by royal-city life; they indirectly express their pain and love by asking if He is content there, especially among the women who now have His company.
True devotion keeps Kṛṣṇa at the center of one’s thoughts—concern for the Lord’s pleasure and remembrance of Him can remain constant even amid social interaction and outward smiles.