Shloka 2
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
О царь, на рассвете, искупавшись в водах Ямуны (Калинди), гопи на песчаном берегу слепили из глины образ Богини и совершили поклонение. Они поднесли сандаловую пасту и благовония, душистые гирлянды, подношения, благовония и светильники, а также разные дары — простые и богатые: плоды, бетель с орехом ареки, молодые листья и рис.
The word balibhiḥ in this verse indicates offerings of clothing, ornaments, food and so on.
FAQs
It describes the Vraja gopīs bathing in the Yamunā at dawn, making a sand image of Goddess Kātyāyanī, and worshiping her as part of their vow to attain Śrī Kṛṣṇa.
Their worship was a devotional vow meant to support their single-minded desire for Kṛṣṇa; the rite expresses focused longing (bhakti) rather than independent pursuit of material boons.
Begin spiritual practice with purity and discipline—regular morning sādhana, simplicity, and a clear intention—offering all efforts toward one sincere spiritual goal.