Shloka 6
Veṇu-gīta-āhvāna and the Gopīs’ Appeal: The Opening of Rāsa-līlā
परिवेषयन्त्यस्तद्धित्वा पाययन्त्य: शिशून् पय: । शुश्रूषन्त्य: पतीन् काश्चिदश्नन्त्योऽपास्य भोजनम् ॥ ६ ॥ लिम्पन्त्य: प्रमृजन्त्योऽन्या अञ्जन्त्य: काश्च लोचने । व्यत्यस्तवस्त्राभरणा: काश्चित् कृष्णान्तिकं ययु: ॥ ७ ॥
pariveṣayantyas tad dhitvā pāyayantyaḥ śiśūn payaḥ śuśrūṣantyaḥ patīn kāścid aśnantyo ’pāsya bhojanam
Certaines servaient le repas, d’autres donnaient du lait à leurs nourrissons, d’autres encore s’occupaient de leurs maris, et d’autres mangeaient; mais toutes laissèrent ces devoirs et partirent vers Kṛṣṇa. D’autres se parfumaient, se lavaient ou se noircissaient les yeux au kajjala; même avec vêtements et bijoux en désordre, elles coururent jusqu’à la présence de Kṛṣṇa.
FAQs
This verse shows the irresistibility of Kṛṣṇa-bhakti in Vraja: upon hearing His call, the gopīs’ love became so exclusive that social and domestic obligations were immediately set aside for meeting Him.
It illustrates exclusive devotion as spontaneous, wholehearted movement toward Kṛṣṇa—even when one is mid-task—because love for Him becomes the devotee’s highest priority.
Adopt the gopīs’ inner priority: keep Kṛṣṇa central through remembrance, chanting, and offering one’s work, while responsibly fulfilling duties as service rather than distraction.