Shloka 17

Akrūra’s Mission: The Departure from Vraja and the Yamunā Vision of Viṣṇu-Ananta

Devanagari script

गतिं सुललितां चेष्टां स्‍निग्धहासावलोकनम् । शोकापहानि नर्माणि प्रोद्दामचरितानि च ॥ १७ ॥ चिन्तयन्त्यो मुकुन्दस्य भीता विरहकातरा: । समेता: सङ्घश: प्रोचुरश्रुमुख्योऽच्युताशया: ॥ १८ ॥

Transliteration

gatiṁ su-lalitāṁ ceṣṭāṁ snigdha-hāsāvalokanam śokāpahāni narmāṇi proddāma-caritāni ca

Translation

Redoutant la moindre séparation d’avec Mukunda, les gopīs se remémoraient sa démarche gracieuse, ses jeux, ses regards souriants et tendres, ses plaisanteries qui chassaient la peine et ses hauts faits héroïques; à l’idée de la grande séparation imminente, elles furent saisies d’une angoisse extrême. Elles se rassemblèrent par groupes et se parlèrent, le visage baigné de larmes, l’esprit entièrement tourné vers Acyuta.

Synonyms

• गतिम्: gait
• गतिम्: Karma (कर्म/object of चिन्तयन्त्यः—implied)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (f.), द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन (singular)

• सु-ललिताम्: very graceful
• सु-ललिताम्: Visheshana (विशेषण of गतिम्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सु (अव्यय-उपसर्गवत्) + ललिता (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय/उपपदसमासभाव: ‘सु’ = very; स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; गतिम् विशेषयति

• चेष्टाम्: gestures/movements
• चेष्टाम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चेष्टा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• स्निग्ध-हास-अवलोकनम्: the glance with an affectionate smile
• स्निग्ध-हास-अवलोकनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्निग्ध (प्रातिपदिक) + हास (प्रातिपदिक) + अवलोकन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी/कर्मधारय-तत्पुरुषसमास: ‘स्निग्धः हासः’ (affectionate smile) + ‘अवलोकनम्’ (glance/looking); नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), द्वितीया, एकवचन

• शोक-अपहानि: removal of sorrow
• शोक-अपहानि: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शोक (प्रातिपदिक) + अपहानि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष: ‘शोकस्य अपहानिः’ (removal of sorrow); स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन (collective sense)

• नर्माणि: jokes/pleasantries
• नर्माणि: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नर्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन (plural)

• प्रोद्दाम-चरितानि: exuberant deeds
• प्रोद्दाम-चरितानि: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रोद्दाम (प्रातिपदिक) + चरित (कृदन्त, √चर्)
• Form: कर्मधारय: ‘प्रोद्दामं चरितम्’ (exuberant deeds); चरित (past participle used as noun); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

Characters & Entities

• Mukunda (Śrī Kṛṣṇa)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about remembering Krishna in separation (viraha-bhakti)?

This verse shows the gopīs absorbing their minds in Kṛṣṇa’s gait, smiles, words, and deeds—remembrance itself becomes their way of staying with Him, even amid separation.

Why are Krishna’s smiles, glances, and playful words emphasized in the gopīs’ meditation?

Because these intimate exchanges are the heart of their relationship with Mukunda; His affectionate humor and looks are described as śokāpahāni—those that remove their grief.

Practical application of this teaching in modern life?

When distressed, intentionally remember or recite Kṛṣṇa’s qualities and pastimes; devotional recollection can steady the mind and soften sorrow.