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
Lorsque Śrī Kṛṣṇa chemine dans Vraja avec Ses pieds doux comme des pétales de lotus, imprimant sur le sol les emblèmes distinctifs du drapeau, du foudre, du lotus et de l’aiguillon d’éléphant, Il apaise la souffrance que la terre ressent sous les sabots des vaches. Jouant Sa flûte célébrée, Son corps se meut avec la grâce d’un éléphant. Ainsi, nous les gopīs, troublées par le désir lorsque Son regard espiègle se pose sur nous, demeurons immobiles comme des arbres, sans même savoir que nos cheveux et nos vêtements se relâchent dans l’ivresse de l’amour.
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.