Shloka 37
The Kātyāyanī-vrata, the Stealing of the Gopīs’ Garments, and Kṛṣṇa’s Teaching on Purified Desire
तत्र गा: पाययित्वाप: सुमृष्टा: शीतला: शिवा: । ततो नृप स्वयं गोपा: कामं स्वादु पपुर्जलम् ॥ ३७ ॥
tatra gāḥ pāyayitvāpaḥ su-mṛṣṭāḥ śītalāḥ śivāḥ tato nṛpa svayaṁ gopāḥ kāmaṁ svādu papur jalam
そこで牧童たちは、澄みきって冷たく吉祥なヤムナーの水を牛たちに飲ませた。王よ、その後彼ら自身も満ち足りるまで甘い水を飲んだ。
FAQs
This verse shows the gopas’ natural, pastoral routine—caring for the cows first and then taking their own refreshment—portraying Vraja life as simple, pure, and centered on Krishna’s loving pastimes.
Śukadeva is narrating to King Parīkṣit, so he directly addresses him (“O King”) while describing the Vraja scene, keeping the listener anchored in the sacred dialogue.
It highlights responsibility and compassion—serving dependents first—encouraging devotees to practice care, stewardship, and humility as part of devotional living.