The Kātyāyanī-vrata, the Stealing of the Gopīs’ Garments, and Kṛṣṇa’s Teaching on Purified Desire
हे स्तोककृष्ण हे अंशो श्रीदामन् सुबलार्जुन । विशाल वृषभौजस्विन् देवप्रस्थ वरूथप ॥ ३१ ॥ पश्यतैतान् महाभागान् परार्थैकान्तजीवितान् । वातवर्षातपहिमान् सहन्तो वारयन्ति न: ॥ ३२ ॥
he stoka-kṛṣṇa he aṁśo śrīdāman subalārjuna viśāla vṛṣabhaujasvin devaprastha varūthapa
Bhagavān bersabda: “Wahai Stoka Kṛṣṇa dan Aṁśu, wahai Śrīdāma, Subala dan Arjuna; wahai Viśāla, Vṛṣabha, Ojasvī, Devaprastha dan Varūthapa! Lihatlah pohon-pohon yang amat bertuah ini, yang hidupnya sepenuhnya demi manfaat orang lain. Walau menahan angin, hujan, panas dan dingin, mereka tetap melindungi kita daripadanya.”
Lord Kṛṣṇa was preparing to bestow His mercy on the wives of the hard-hearted ritualistic brāhmaṇas, and in these verses the Lord indicates that even trees who are dedicated to the welfare of others are superior to brāhmaṇas who are not. Certainly the members of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement should soberly study this point.
This verse praises those who are “parārthaikānta-jīvitāḥ”—people whose lives are dedicated to others’ welfare, tolerating hardship (wind, rain, heat, cold) without turning back.
In the Vraja pastime, Kṛṣṇa points out the steadfastness of those who keep their duty despite discomfort, highlighting selfless service and determination within His playful līlā.
Practice steady service—helping family, community, or spiritual work consistently—even when conditions are inconvenient, cultivating resilience and selfless intention.