Gopī-gīta in Separation: The Flute’s Call and Vraja’s Ecstatic Response
मदविघूर्णितलोचन ईषत्- मानद: स्वसुहृदां वनमाली । बदरपाण्डुवदनो मृदुगण्डं मण्डयन् कनककुण्डललक्ष्म्या ॥ २४ ॥ यदुपतिर्द्विरदराजविहारो यामिनीपतिरिवैष दिनान्ते । मुदितवक्त्र उपयाति दुरन्तं मोचयन् व्रजगवां दिनतापम् ॥ २५ ॥
mada-vighūrṇita-locana īṣat māna-daḥ sva-suhṛdāṁ vana-mālī badara-pāṇḍu-vadano mṛdu-gaṇḍaṁ maṇḍayan kanaka-kuṇḍala-lakṣmyā
酔いのように目がかすかに回りつつも、シュリー・クリシュナは善意の友らに丁重に挨拶し、森の花輪ヴァナマーラーを身にまとう。バダラの実の色を帯びた明るい御顔と、黄金の耳飾りの輝きが、柔らかな頬をいっそう美しく飾る。夕べには、ヤドゥ族の主が王象のように優雅に歩み、夜の主たる月のような喜びの御顔で帰り来て、ヴラジャの牛たちを昼の熱から解き放つ。
The word gavām is constructed from the Sanskrit word go, which means “cow” or “senses.” Thus Śrī Kṛṣṇa, by coming back to the village of Vraja, relieved the inhabitants of Vṛndāvana from the distress their eyes and other senses felt during the day because of being separated from direct contact with Him.
They describe His gently rolling eyes from loving exhilaration, His forest garland, His pale, radiant face, and the beauty of His golden earrings adorning His cheeks.
They are absorbed in viraha (separation) and sing about Kṛṣṇa’s form and qualities to keep Him present in their hearts while He is away tending the cows and roaming the forest.
Practice remembrance (smaraṇa) by contemplating Kṛṣṇa’s compassionate, beautiful form—turning longing or stress into focused devotion and inner steadiness.