Shloka 16
Gopī-gīta Aftermath: Kṛṣṇa Returns and Explains Divine Non-Reciprocation
Rāsa-līlā Dialogue
श्रीगोप्य ऊचु: भजतोऽनुभजन्त्येक एक एतद्विपर्ययम् । नोभयांश्च भजन्त्येक एतन्नो ब्रूहि साधु भो: ॥ १६ ॥
śrī-gopya ūcuḥ bhajato ’nubhajanty eka eka etad-viparyayam nobhayāṁś ca bhajanty eka etan no brūhi sādhu bhoḥ
ശ്രീഗോപികൾ പറഞ്ഞു—ചിലർ സ്നേഹിക്കുന്നവർക്കേ സ്നേഹം തിരിച്ചുനൽകും; ചിലർ ഉദാസീനരെയോ വൈരികളെയോ പോലും സ്നേഹിക്കും; മറ്റുചിലർ ആരെയും ഭജിക്കുകയില്ല. പ്രിയ കൃഷ്ണാ, ഇത് ഞങ്ങൾക്ക് ശരിയായി വിശദീകരിക്കൂ.
By this apparently polite question, the gopīs want to expose Lord Kṛṣṇa’s failure to properly reciprocate their love. They were very disturbed when Śrī Kṛṣṇa left them in the forest, and they want to know why He caused them to suffer in these loving affairs.
FAQs
This verse raises the principle of divine reciprocation: some respond to devotion, some seem to respond oppositely, and some appear indifferent—prompting a deeper explanation of Bhagavān’s motives and the devotee’s purification.
In separation from Kṛṣṇa, the gopīs reflect on why the beloved Lord sometimes appears to withdraw or not reciprocate, and they seek a clear, dharmic explanation for His behavior in love and devotion.
Continue sincere bhakti even when results feel delayed; apparent non-response can be a test that deepens humility, steadiness, and love beyond expectation of immediate reward.