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
O mahal na Hari, pagsikat ng araw ay naligo ang mga gopi sa Kālindī (Yamunā), at sa pampang na mabuhangin ay gumawa sila ng imaheng putik ni Diyosa Durgā at sinamba ito. Naghandog sila ng sandalwood at mababangong sangkap, mga kuwintas ng bulaklak, alay, insenso at ilawan, at iba’t ibang handog gaya ng prutas, nganga’t bunga, bagong dahon, at bigas.
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.