Shloka 16
Gopī-gīta in Separation: The Flute’s Call and Vraja’s Ecstatic Response
निजपदाब्जदलैर्ध्वजवज्र- नीरजाङ्कुशविचित्रललामै: । व्रजभुव: शमयन् खुरतोदं वर्ष्मधुर्यगतिरीडितवेणु: ॥ १६ ॥ व्रजति तेन वयं सविलास- वीक्षणार्पितमनोभववेगा: । कुजगतिं गमिता न विदाम: कश्मलेन कवरं वसनं वा ॥ १७ ॥
nija-padābja-dalair dhvaja-vajra nīrajāṅkuśa-vicitra-lalāmaiḥ vraja-bhuvaḥ śamayan khura-todaṁ varṣma-dhurya-gatir īḍita-veṇuḥ
Cuando Śrī Kṛṣṇa pasea por Vraja con Sus pies suaves como pétalos de loto, marcando el suelo con los emblemas de bandera, rayo, loto y aguijada de elefante, alivia el dolor que la tierra siente por el golpe de los cascos de las vacas. Mientras toca Su flauta celebrada, Su cuerpo se mueve con la gracia de un elefante. Así, nosotras las gopīs, agitadas por Cupido cuando Él nos mira juguetonamente, quedamos inmóviles como árboles, sin advertir que se aflojan nuestro peinado y nuestras vestiduras por el arrobamiento.
Here mother Yaśodā is no longer in the company of the gopīs, who are confidentially describing their conjugal attraction to Śrī Kṛṣṇa. It is clear from the comments of Jīva Gosvāmī and other ācāryas that the statements in this chapter were made at various times and places. This is natural, since the gopīs were always absorbed in thoughts of Śrī Kṛṣṇa, day and night.
FAQs
In this verse, the gopīs describe Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet as bearing auspicious signs—flag, thunderbolt, lotus, and goad—seen as uniquely beautiful and spiritually significant, intensifying their devotion and remembrance.
They poetically portray Kṛṣṇa’s compassionate presence: even the earth of Vraja, pained by the hooves of cows and calves, feels relief as He walks upon her with tender lotus feet—showing how all of Vraja is included in His līlā.
Contemplating the Lord’s lotus feet cultivates humility, steadiness, and devotion—helping one transform ordinary stress into remembrance and service-mindedness.