Gokula’s Wonder, Kṛṣṇa’s Bhakta-vaśyatā, the Move to Vṛndāvana, and the Slaying of Vatsāsura and Bakāsura
श्रुत्वा तद्विस्मिता गोपा गोप्यश्चातिप्रियादृता: । प्रेत्यागतमिवोत्सुक्यादैक्षन्त तृषितेक्षणा: ॥ ५४ ॥
śrutvā tad vismitā gopā gopyaś cātipriyādṛtāḥ pretyāgatam ivotsukyād aikṣanta tṛṣitekṣaṇāḥ
Apabila lelaki dan wanita gembala lembu mendengar tentang pembunuhan Bakāsura di dalam hutan, mereka sangat hairan. Setelah melihat Kṛṣṇa dan mendengar ceritanya, mereka menyambut Kṛṣṇa dengan penuh semangat, memikirkan bahawa Kṛṣṇa dan budak-budak lelaki lain telah kembali dari mulut maut. Oleh itu, mereka memandang Kṛṣṇa dan budak-budak itu dengan mata yang dahaga, tidak mahu mengalihkan pandangan mereka sekarang kerana budak-budak itu selamat.
Because of intense love for Kṛṣṇa, the cowherd men and women simply remained silent, thinking of how Kṛṣṇa and the boys had been saved. The cowherd men and women looked upon Kṛṣṇa and the boys and did not desire to turn their eyes aside.
This verse describes the gopas and gopis gazing at Krishna with “thirsting eyes,” showing that their love is so intense that mere seeing Him feels essential—like life itself.
Śukadeva narrates that upon hearing the report of Krishna’s extraordinary dealings and protection, they became amazed and looked at Him with renewed affection, as if He had been restored to them from death.
Cultivate sincere eagerness for darśana—regularly hearing about Krishna, remembering Him, and seeking His presence through bhakti practices with the same heartfelt priority the Vrajavasis show.