Shloka 19

Veṇu-gīta-āhvāna and the Gopīs’ Appeal: The Opening of Rāsa-līlā

Devanagari script

रजन्येषा घोररूपा घोरसत्त्वनिषेविता । प्रतियात व्रजं नेह स्थेयं स्त्रीभि: सुमध्यमा: ॥ १९ ॥

Transliteration

rajany eṣā ghora-rūpā ghora-sattva-niṣevitā pratiyāta vrajaṁ neha stheyaṁ strībhiḥ su-madhyamāḥ

Translation

Malam ini sungguh menakutkan, dan makhluk-makhluk buas berkeliaran. Wahai gadis berpinggang ramping, kembalilah ke Vraja; tempat ini tidak sesuai untuk wanita tinggal.

Synonyms

• rajaniḥ: night
• rajaniḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rajani (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Prathamā (1st), Ekavacana

• eṣā: this
• eṣā: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: etad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Prathamā (1st), Ekavacana

• ghora-rūpā: terrible-looking
• ghora-rūpā: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ghora (प्रातिपदिक) + rūpa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Prathamā (1st), Ekavacana; karmadhāraya ‘of terrible form’ qualifying rajaniḥ

• ghora-sattva-niṣevitā: haunted by fierce creatures
• ghora-sattva-niṣevitā: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ghora (प्रातिपदिक) + sattva (प्रातिपदिक) + niṣevita (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक, क्त from ni-√sev)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Prathamā (1st), Ekavacana; tatpuruṣa: ‘frequented by terrible beings’ qualifying rajaniḥ

• pratiyāta: return (you all)
• pratiyāta: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: prati-√yā (धातु)
• Form: Loṭ lakāra (लोट्, imperative), Madhyama puruṣa (2nd), Bahuvacana

• vrajam: to Vraja
• vrajam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vraja (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṁliṅga, Dvitīyā (2nd), Ekavacana

• na: not
• na: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: Negation particle (निषेध-अव्यय)

• iha: here
• iha: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iha (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (देशवाचक-अव्यय)

• stheyam: to be stayed (should be stayed)
• stheyam: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sthā (धातु)
• Form: Gerundive (तव्यत्/अनीयर् sense), Napuṁsaka, Prathamā (1st), Ekavacana; impersonal prohibition ‘it should not be stayed’

• strībhiḥ: by women
• strībhiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: strī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Tṛtīyā (3rd), Bahuvacana

• su-madhyamāḥ: O slender-waisted ones
• su-madhyamāḥ: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: su (उपसर्ग/अव्यय) + madhyamā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Sambodhana/Prathamā Bahuvacana; bahuvrīhi ‘having beautiful waists’ used in address

Purport

Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura has written the following charming commentary on this verse:

Characters & Entities

• Śrī Kṛṣṇa
• Gopīs (Vraja-devīs)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Krishna asking the gopis to go back home?

In 10.29.19, Kṛṣṇa points out the danger of the night and tells the gopīs to return to Vraja, setting up a loving test that highlights the depth and purity of their bhakti.

Why did Krishna say this to the gopis in Canto 10 Chapter 29?

After calling them with His flute, Kṛṣṇa speaks in a way that appears discouraging—citing propriety and danger—so the gopīs’ unwavering, selfless devotion can be revealed and glorified.

Practical application of this verse in modern life?

True devotion is steady even when challenged; at the same time, spiritual life should be practiced with discernment, responsibility, and respect for appropriate conduct.