Balarāma Visits Vraja: Consoling the Gopīs and Dragging the Yamunā
गोपवृद्धांश्च विधिवद् यविष्ठैरभिवन्दित: । यथावयो यथासख्यं यथासम्बन्धमात्मन: ॥ ४ ॥ समुपेत्याथ गोपालान् हास्यहस्तग्रहादिभि: । विश्रान्तं सुखमासीनं पप्रच्छु: पर्युपागता: ॥ ५ ॥ पृष्टाश्चानामयं स्वेषु प्रेमगद्गदया गिरा । कृष्णे कमलपत्राक्षे सन्न्यस्ताखिलराधस: ॥ ६ ॥
gopa-vṛddhāṁś ca vidhi-vad yaviṣṭhair abhivanditaḥ yathā-vayo yathā-sakhyaṁ yathā-sambandham ātmanaḥ
Tuhan Balarāma memberi hormat dengan semestinya kepada para gembala tua, dan para yang lebih muda pun menyapa-Nya dengan penuh takzim. Sesuai usia, keakraban, dan hubungan keluarga, Ia menemui masing-masing dengan senyum, berjabat tangan, dan sebagainya. Setelah beristirahat, Sang Bhagavān duduk nyaman; para gembala yang mengelilingi-Nya, dengan suara bergetar karena cinta, menanyakan kabar sanak mereka di Dvārakā, dan Balarāma pun menanyakan kesejahteraan para gembala—mereka telah menyerahkan segalanya kepada Kṛṣṇa bermata teratai.
This verse describes devotees whose voices become faltering and choked due to intense affection, showing that genuine bhakti naturally expresses itself through emotion-centered remembrance of Kṛṣṇa.
Because Kṛṣṇa is their very life and refuge; the verse states they entrusted all their ‘rādhas’—their means, efforts, and inner burdens—unto the lotus-eyed Lord.
Do your duties responsibly, but mentally offer outcomes and anxieties to Kṛṣṇa through prayer and remembrance—treating Him as the ultimate shelter while acting with sincerity.