Shloka 12
The Gopīs Glorify the Song of Kṛṣṇa’s Flute
Veṇu-gīta
कृष्णं निरीक्ष्य वनितोत्सवरूपशीलं श्रुत्वा च तत्क्वणितवेणुविविक्तगीतम् । देव्यो विमानगतय: स्मरनुन्नसारा भ्रश्यत्प्रसूनकबरा मुमुहुर्विनीव्य: ॥ १२ ॥
kṛṣṇaṁ nirīkṣya vanitotsava-rūpa-śīlaṁ śrutvā ca tat-kvaṇita-veṇu-vivikta-gītam devyo vimāna-gatayaḥ smara-nunna-sārā bhraśyat-prasūna-kabarā mumuhur vinīvyaḥ
En voyant Kṛṣṇa—dont la beauté et le caractère sont une fête pour les femmes—et en entendant le chant solitaire de sa flûte résonnante, les épouses des devas, voyageant en vimānas avec leurs maris, furent bouleversées par Kāma. Tant elles furent fascinées que les fleurs tombèrent de leurs cheveux, leurs ceintures se dénouèrent, et elles faillirent défaillir.
In Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Śrīla Prabhupāda comments: “[This verse indicates] that the transcendental sound of the flute of Kṛṣṇa extended to all corners of the universe. Also, it is significant that the gopīs knew about the different kinds of airplanes flying in the sky.”
FAQs
In this verse, Krishna’s flute-song is so pure and captivating that even celestial women in aerial chariots lose composure—showing the flute as a direct carrier of Krishna’s divine charm and bhakti-rasa.
Śukadeva describes them as being struck by smara (Cupid)—their hearts are overwhelmed by Krishna’s beauty and sweet nature, and the distinct melody of His flute intensifies that absorption until they swoon.
The verse highlights the mind’s natural attraction to beauty and sound; a devotee can redirect that same capacity by regularly hearing and remembering Krishna—through kīrtana, śravaṇa, and contemplation of His līlā.