Shloka 17
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
This verse describes Kṛṣṇa’s tender lotus feet as adorned with auspicious signs—flag, thunderbolt, lotus, and goad—highlighting His divine beauty and sovereignty even while He walks in Vraja.
In their love, the gopīs see Kṛṣṇa as so compassionate that even the earth of Vraja is comforted by His soft lotus feet, despite the cows’ hooves—showing His presence as universally soothing.
Meditating on the Lord’s lotus feet cultivates steadiness and tenderness of heart, helping one respond to life’s pressures with devotion, humility, and inner calm.