Shloka 20
Veṇu-gīta-āhvāna and the Gopīs’ Appeal: The Opening of Rāsa-līlā
मातर: पितर: पुत्रा भ्रातर: पतयश्च व: । विचिन्वन्ति ह्यपश्यन्तो मा कृढ्वं बन्धुसाध्वसम् ॥ २० ॥
mātaraḥ pitaraḥ putrā bhrātaraḥ patayaś ca vaḥ vicinvanti hy apaśyanto mā kṛḍhvaṁ bandhu-sādhvasam
เมื่อไม่พบพวกเธอที่บ้าน มารดา บิดา บุตร พี่น้อง และสามีของพวกเธอย่อมออกตามหาแน่นอน อย่าทำให้ญาติมิตรต้องกังวลเลย
FAQs
In this verse, Kṛṣṇa reminds the gopīs that their relatives are anxiously searching for them and urges them not to cause distress—highlighting the tension between social duty (dharma) and the pull of devotion, which Kṛṣṇa deliberately tests and refines.
Kṛṣṇa speaks to the gopīs to test the purity and seriousness of their devotion and to show that genuine spiritual love is not mere impulse; it is conscious, responsible, and willing to face the implications of transcending ordinary social roles.
Pursue spiritual life without neglecting or casually harming dependents—practice devotion with integrity, communicate responsibly, and avoid creating fear or instability for family members while deepening bhakti.