Shloka 19
Gopī-gīta: The Song of the Gopīs in Separation
Viraha-bhakti
यत्ते सुजातचरणाम्बुरुहं स्तनेषु भीता: शनै: प्रिय दधीमहि कर्कशेषु । तेनाटवीमटसि तद् व्यथते न किंस्वित् कूर्पादिभिर्भ्रमति धीर्भवदायुषां न: ॥ १९ ॥
yat te sujāta-caraṇāmburuhaṁ staneṣu bhītāḥ śanaiḥ priya dadhīmahi karkaśeṣu tenāṭavīm aṭasi tad vyathate na kiṁ svit kūrpādibhir bhramati dhīr bhavad-āyuṣāṁ naḥ
Wahai Kekasih, teratai kaki-Mu yang elok begitu lembut sehingga kami takut ia terluka, lalu kami meletakkannya perlahan di atas dada kami yang keras. Hidup kami hanya bersandar pada-Mu; maka ketika Engkau berjalan di jalan rimba, fikiran kami resah: jangan-jangan kerikil dan batu melukai kaki-Mu yang halus.
The translation of this verse is from Śrīla Prabhupāda’s English rendering of Caitanya-caritāmṛta ( Ādi 4.173) .
FAQs
It portrays the gopīs’ tender concern that Kṛṣṇa’s delicate lotus feet—once carefully placed on their breasts—might be hurt as He walks in the forest among thorns and stones, revealing their intimate, selfless love.
They recall moments of closeness in Vraja to express the depth of their separation (viraha) now; the memory becomes a way to serve Kṛṣṇa through loving चिंता (anxious care) for His comfort.
It teaches bhakti as practical, selfless concern for the Lord—shifting focus from one’s own pain to the well-being of Kṛṣṇa, expressed through remembrance, prayer, and loving service.