Shloka 19
Kṛṣṇa’s Arrival at Dvārakā
Dvārakā-praveśa and Bhakta-vātsalya
वारमुख्याश्च शतशो यानैस्तद्दर्शनोत्सुका: । लसत्कुण्डलनिर्भातकपोलवदनश्रिय: ॥ १९ ॥
vāramukhyāś ca śataśo yānais tad-darśanotsukāḥ lasat-kuṇḍala-nirbhāta- kapola-vadana-śriyaḥ
Au même instant, des centaines de courtisanes renommées s’avancèrent sur divers véhicules, avides de voir le Seigneur. Leurs joues et leurs visages brillaient de l’éclat de leurs boucles d’oreilles, rehaussant la beauté de leur front.
We may not hate even the prostitutes if they are devotees of the Lord. Even to date there are many prostitutes in great cities of India who are sincere devotees of the Lord. By tricks of chance one may be obliged to adopt a profession which is not very adorable in society, but that does not hamper one in executing devotional service to the Lord. Devotional service to the Lord is uncheckable in all circumstances. It is understood herewith that even in those days, about five thousand years ago, there were prostitutes in a city like Dvārakā, where Lord Kṛṣṇa resided. This means that prostitutes are necessary citizens for the proper upkeep of society. The government opens wine shops, but this does not mean that the government encourages the drinking of wine. The idea is that there is a class of men who will drink at any cost, and it has been experienced that prohibition in great cities encouraged illicit smuggling of wine. Similarly, men who are not satisfied at home require such concessions, and if there is no prostitute, then such low men will induce others into prostitution. It is better that prostitutes be available in the marketplace so that the sanctity of society can be maintained. It is better to maintain a class of prostitutes than to encourage prostitutes within society. The real reformation is to enlighten all people to become devotees of the Lord, and that will check all kinds of deteriorating factors of life.
FAQs
This verse shows that pure affection for Kṛṣṇa naturally manifests as intense eagerness to see Him; the foremost ladies of Dvārakā rush out in their conveyances simply for His darśana.
The leading ladies of Dvārakā are described; they come out in vehicles because they are “tad-darśanotsukāḥ”—restless and eager to behold Lord Kṛṣṇa as He arrives/returns, highlighting the city’s loving reception of Him.
Cultivate “darśana-utsukatā”—a sincere eagerness to see and remember Kṛṣṇa—by prioritizing temple darśana, attentive japa, and daily hearing of Bhāgavatam, letting devotion become the heart’s main attraction.