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
ヴラジャの牛たちへの深い慈愛ゆえに、シュリー・クリシュナはゴーヴァルダナ山を掲げる御方となられた。日が暮れると、ご自身の牛の群れをすべて集めて帰り、笛に聖なる歌をのせて奏でられる。道の傍らでは長老たちと神々がその蓮華の御足を礼拝し、同行する牧童たちは御名の栄光を歌い上げる。牛の蹄が巻き上げる塵で花輪は霞み、疲れによりいっそう映える御美は人々の眼に祭りを起こす。友の願いを叶えんとするその御方は、母ヤショーダーの胎より昇る月のように輝く。
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.