Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 11
Gopī-Vipralambha: The Search for Kṛṣṇa and the Revelation of Divine Footprints
अप्येणपत्न्युपगत: प्रिययेह गात्रै- स्तन्वन् दृशां सखि सुनिर्वृतिमच्युतो व: । कान्ताङ्गसङ्गकुचकुङ्कुमरञ्जिताया: कुन्दस्रज: कुलपतेरिह वाति गन्ध: ॥ ११ ॥
apy eṇa-patny upagataḥ priyayeha gātrais tanvan dṛśāṁ sakhi su-nirvṛtim acyuto vaḥ kāntāṅga-saṅga-kuca-kuṅkuma-rañjitāyāḥ kunda-srajaḥ kula-pater iha vāti gandhaḥ
ಓ ಸಖಿ, ಜಿಂಕೆಯ ಪತ್ನಿಯೇ! ಅಚ್ಯುತನು ಇಲ್ಲಿ ತನ್ನ ಪ್ರಿಯೆಯೊಂದಿಗೆ ಬಂದು ನಿನ್ನ ದೃಷ್ಟಿಗೆ ಪರಮಾನಂದ ನೀಡಿದನೇ? ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಕುಲಪತಿ ಶ್ರೀಕೃಷ್ಣನ ಕುಂದಪುಷ್ಪಮಾಲೆಯ ಸುಗಂಧ ಬೀಸುತ್ತಿದೆ—ಆಲಿಂಗನದಲ್ಲಿ ಪ್ರೇಯಸಿಯ ಸ್ತನಗಳ ಕುಂಕುಮದಿಂದ ರಂಜಿತವಾದ ಆ ಮಾಲೆಯದು।
Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī provides the following charming commentary on this verse:
FAQs
This verse shows the gopīs inferring Kṛṣṇa’s nearness from subtle signs—especially the fragrance of His kunda-flower garland, now marked by contact with a beloved—revealing their intense, perception-like love in separation.
In their longing, the gopīs imagine Kṛṣṇa delighting even forest creatures; the mention of the doe heightens their sense of separation and jealousy, while also praising Kṛṣṇa’s all-attractive mercy.
By remembering God through “traces” of His presence—names, teachings, sacred places, and devotional habits—one can transform absence into deeper remembrance, humility, and steady bhakti.