Shloka 23
Gopī-gīta in Separation: The Flute’s Call and Vraja’s Ecstatic Response
वत्सलो व्रजगवां यदगध्रो वन्द्यमानचरण: पथि वृद्धै: । कृत्स्नगोधनमुपोह्य दिनान्ते गीतवेणुरनुगेडितकीर्ति: ॥ २२ ॥ उत्सवं श्रमरुचापि दृशीना- मुन्नयन् खुररजश्छुरितस्रक् । दित्सयैति सुहृदासिष एष देवकीजठरभूरुडुराज: ॥ २३ ॥
vatsalo vraja-gavāṁ yad aga-dhro vandyamāna-caraṇaḥ pathi vṛddhaiḥ kṛtsna-go-dhanam upohya dinānte gīta-veṇur anugeḍita-kīrtiḥ
Par une tendre affection pour les vaches de Vraja, Śrī Kṛṣṇa devint le Soutien du Govardhana. À la fin du jour, après avoir rassemblé tout Son troupeau, Il revient en jouant sur la flûte un chant sacré; le long du chemin, les anciens et les devas adorent Ses pieds de lotus, et les jeunes gardiens de vaches qui L’accompagnent chantent Sa gloire. Sa guirlande se couvre de la poussière soulevée par les sabots, et Sa beauté, rehaussée par la fatigue, devient une fête pour tous les regards. Désireux d’exaucer les vœux de Ses amis, Il brille tel la lune née du sein de mère Yaśodā.
According to the ācāryas, at this point the gopīs climbed into the watchtowers of Vṛndāvana’s houses so they could see Kṛṣṇa as soon as possible when He returned home. Mother Yaśodā was very anxious for her son to come back, and therefore she had the tallest of the beautiful young gopīs climb up to see when He would arrive. It is implied here that Kṛṣṇa was somewhat delayed on the way home because His lotus feet were being worshiped by great demigods along the path.
FAQs
This verse praises Kṛṣṇa as vatsala—tenderly affectionate—who personally leads the entire herd home, showing divine love through simple service as Gopāla.
The gopīs describe that even village elders recognize His extraordinary divinity and purity, so they honor Him naturally when He passes by.
Serve dependents with steadiness and care—like Kṛṣṇa guiding the herd—making devotion tangible through responsibility, gentleness, and daily duty.