Shloka 7
Gopī-Vipralambha: The Search for Kṛṣṇa and the Revelation of Divine Footprints
कच्चित्तुलसि कल्याणि गोविन्दचरणप्रिये । सह त्वालिकुलैर्बिभ्रद् दृष्टस्तेऽतिप्रियोऽच्युत: ॥ ७ ॥
kaccit tulasi kalyāṇi govinda-caraṇa-priye saha tvāli-kulair bibhrad dṛṣṭas te ’ti-priyo ’cyutaḥ
ഹേ കല്യാണി തുളസീ, ഗോവിന്ദചരണപ്രിയേ! നിന്നെ ധരിച്ച് തേൻചീറ്റകളുടെ കൂട്ടം ചുറ്റിനിൽക്കേ കടന്നുപോയ അതിപ്രിയനായ അച്യുതനെ നീ കണ്ടോ?
The ācāryas explain here that the word caraṇa is a term of respect, as in the expression evaṁ vadanty ācārya-caraṇāḥ. The bees humming around the garland worn by Śrī Govinda were attracted by the fragrance of the tulasī mañjarīs offered to Him. The gopīs felt that the trees had not replied because they were male, but that tulasī, being female, would sympathize with their plight.
FAQs
This verse addresses Tulasī as “Govinda-caraṇa-priyā,” indicating she is especially dear to Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet and is intimately connected with His worship and presence.
Overwhelmed by separation from Kṛṣṇa, the gopīs question the trees and plants of Vṛndāvana; here they ask Tulasī—who is beloved to Kṛṣṇa’s feet—whether she has seen Him passing by.
It teaches heartfelt remembrance: in times of longing or difficulty, a devotee turns everything toward Kṛṣṇa—seeking His presence, honoring Tulasī, and deepening love through sincere calling and inquiry.