Uddhava Meets the Gopīs: Bhramara-gītā and Kṛṣṇa’s Message of Separation
श्रीशुक उवाच तं वीक्ष्य कृष्णानुचरं व्रजस्त्रिय: प्रलम्बबाहुं नवकञ्जलोचनम् । पीताम्बरं पुष्करमालिनं लस- न्मुखारविन्दं परिमृष्टकुण्डलम् ॥ १ ॥ सुविस्मिता: कोऽयमपीव्यदर्शन: कुतश्च कस्याच्युतवेषभूषण: । इति स्म सर्वा: परिवव्रुरुत्सुका- स्तमुत्तम:श्लोकपदाम्बुजाश्रयम् ॥ २ ॥
śrī-śuka uvāca taṁ vīkṣya kṛṣānucaraṁ vraja-striyaḥ pralamba-bāhuṁ nava-kañja-locanam pītāmbaraṁ puṣkara-mālinaṁ lasan- mukhāravindaṁ parimṛṣṭa-kuṇḍalam
シュカデーヴァは語った。ヴラジャの若い女たちは、クリシュナの従者を見て驚嘆した。長い腕をもち、眼は咲き初めの蓮のようで、黄色のピータンバラをまとい、蓮華の花輪を掛け、磨き上げられた耳飾りが輝いて、その蓮華のような顔がいっそう光っていた。彼女たちは言った。「この麗しい人は誰? どこから来て、誰に仕えるの? アチュタの衣と飾りを身につけている!」こう言って、至上の讃歌を受ける主シュリー・クリシュナ(ウッタマハシュローカ)の蓮華の御足に依りすがるウッダヴァを、ゴーピーたちは待ち焦がれて取り囲んだ。
He is Kṛṣṇa’s attendant/messenger who comes to Vraja wearing Kṛṣṇa-like dress and ornaments; in the chapter’s narrative context, this refers to Uddhava, sent by Kṛṣṇa to the gopīs.
Because the messenger resembles Kṛṣṇa in appearance and attire, and his Kṛṣṇa-like ornaments immediately awaken their intense remembrance of Acyuta, making them eager to know his identity and purpose.
Even external reminders of the Lord can awaken deep remembrance; cultivating sādhana that increases smaraṇa (remembrance) and taking shelter of Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet turns curiosity and emotion into steady bhakti.