Shloka 3
The Kātyāyanī-vrata, the Stealing of the Gopīs’ Garments, and Kṛṣṇa’s Teaching on Purified Desire
आप्लुत्याम्भसि कालिन्द्या जलान्ते चोदितेऽरुणे । कृत्वा प्रतिकृतिं देवीमानर्चुर्नृप सैकतीम् ॥ २ ॥ गन्धैर्माल्यै: सुरभिभिर्बलिभिर्धूपदीपकै: । उच्चावचैश्चोपहारै: प्रवालफलतण्डुलै: ॥ ३ ॥
āplutyāmbhasi kālindyā jalānte codite ’ruṇe kṛtvā pratikṛtiṁ devīm ānarcur nṛpa saikatīm
Ó rei, ao amanhecer, quando o sol surgia, as gopīs banharam-se nas águas da Kālindī (Yamunā) e, na margem arenosa, moldaram uma imagem de barro da deusa Durgā e a adoraram. Ofereceram pasta de sândalo e outras fragrâncias, guirlandas, oferendas, incenso e lamparinas, e diversos presentes—frutas, bétele e noz de areca, folhas tenras e arroz.
The word balibhiḥ in this verse indicates offerings of clothing, ornaments, food and so on.
FAQs
In Canto 10, Chapter 22, the Bhagavatam describes the gopīs bathing in the Yamunā at dawn and worshiping an image of Goddess Kātyāyanī, performing a vow with the intention of attaining Śrī Kṛṣṇa as their beloved.
Śukadeva narrates how the gopīs expressed single-minded devotion through a simple, heartfelt ritual—fashioning a deity from sand on the riverbank—showing that sincerity in bhakti is central, not external opulence.
Begin spiritual practice with purity and regularity—like early-morning remembrance, bathing, and focused prayer—keeping the heart’s intention sincere even if resources are simple.