Shloka 1
Gopī-gīta: The Song of the Gopīs in Separation
Viraha-bhakti
गोप्य ऊचु: जयति तेऽधिकं जन्मना व्रज: श्रयत इन्दिरा शश्वदत्र हि । दयित दृश्यतां दिक्षु तावका- स्त्वयि धृतासवस्त्वां विचिन्वते ॥ १ ॥
gopya ūcuḥ jayati te ’dhikaṁ janmanā vrajaḥ śrayata indirā śaśvad atra hi dayita dṛśyatāṁ dikṣu tāvakās tvayi dhṛtāsavas tvāṁ vicinvate
เหล่าโคปีทูลว่า: โอ้ที่รัก การประสูติของพระองค์ทำให้แผ่นดินวรชะรุ่งเรืองยิ่งนัก จึงเป็นเหตุให้พระอินทิรา (พระลักษมี) สถิตอยู่ที่นี่เสมอ เราดำรงลมหายใจไว้ก็เพื่อพระองค์เท่านั้น เราเที่ยวเสาะหาพระองค์ทุกทิศ โปรดสำแดงพระองค์ให้เราได้เห็นเถิด
Those who are familiar with the art of chanting Sanskrit verses will be able to appreciate the especially exquisite Sanskrit poetry of this chapter. Specifically, the poetic meter of the verses is extraordinarily beautiful, and also, for the most part, in each line the first and seventh syllables begin with the same consonant, as do the second syllables of all four lines.
FAQs
In the Gopī-gīta the gopīs express the highest form of devotion in separation (viraha), where Krishna alone sustains their life and consciousness; this verse opens their prayer by glorifying Krishna’s appearance in Vraja and pleading for His direct vision.
They proclaim that Vraja is supremely fortunate because Krishna appeared there; the presence of Krishna makes Vraja the eternal shelter of true prosperity (Indirā/Lakṣmī), beyond ordinary wealth—spiritual fortune centered on loving service.
It teaches focused devotion: let one’s “life-breath” be anchored in remembrance of the Lord, and in times of inner dryness or separation, turn that longing into sincere prayer and wholehearted seeking.