Shloka 28
कालियदमना: यमुनाशुद्धिः, करुणा-निग्रहः, स्तुति-तत्त्वम्
विनाकृता न यास्यामः कृष्णेनानेन गोकुलम् अरण्यं नातिसेव्यं च वारिहीनं यथा सरः
vinākṛtā na yāsyāmaḥ kṛṣṇenānena gokulam araṇyaṃ nātisevyaṃ ca vārihīnaṃ yathā saraḥ
Without this Krishna, we will not go to Gokula. A forest is not to be frequented—just as a lake without water is of no use.
The cowherd elders of Vraja (Gopas), speaking among themselves (as narrated by Sage Parāśara to Maitreya)
Avatara: Krishna
Purpose: To remain the living refuge of Vraja, without whom even homecoming becomes meaningless and barren.
Leela: Loka-rakshana
Dharma Restored: Integrity of Vraja’s communal life, grounded in Kṛṣṇa as protector and beloved.
Concept: Without Bhagavān, even familiar places become spiritually ‘waterless’; attachment to mere location is inferior to attachment to the Lord.
Vedantic Theme: Moksha
Application: Practice discerning value: keep what nourishes devotion; step away from routines that feel full yet lack inner ‘water’ (presence of God).
Vishishtadvaita: The world has meaning as the Lord’s body/field of presence; when He is absent to the devotee’s experience, the same world feels devoid of rasa.
Vishnu Form: Krishna
Bhakti Type: Madhurya
FAQs
The verse frames Krishna as the vital essence that makes a place meaningful and safe; without him, even a destination becomes spiritually and practically barren.
Through their practical deliberation—fear of the forest’s dangers—Parashara highlights a deeper truth: divine presence is the real refuge and order behind worldly security.
Krishna is depicted not merely as a child of Vraja but as the sustaining Lord whose presence upholds welfare—an implicit Vaishnava teaching that the Supreme Reality is the protector and life-giver.