Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 31
Veṇu-gīta-āhvāna and the Gopīs’ Appeal: The Opening of Rāsa-līlā
गोप्य ऊचु: मैवं विभोऽर्हति भवान् गदितुं नृशंसं सन्त्यज्य सर्वविषयांस्तव पादमूलम् । भक्ता भजस्व दुरवग्रह मा त्यजास्मान् देवो यथादिपुरुषो भजते मुमुक्षून् ॥ ३१ ॥
śrī-gopya ūcuḥ maivaṁ vibho ’rhati bhavān gadituṁ nṛ-śaṁsaṁ santyajya sarva-viṣayāṁs tava pāda-mūlam bhaktā bhajasva duravagraha mā tyajāsmān devo yathādi-puruṣo bhajate mumukṣūn
Sinabi ng mga gopī: O Makapangyarihan, hindi nararapat na magsalita Ka nang ganitong malupit. Tinalikuran namin ang lahat ng makamundong ligaya at lumapit sa paanan ng Iyong mga talampakang-loto. O matigas ang loob, huwag Mo kaming iwan; kami’y Iyong mga bhakta. Kung paanong ang Ādipuruṣa na si Śrī Nārāyaṇa ay tumutugon sa mga debotong naghahangad ng mokṣa, gayon din sana’y tumugon Ka sa amin.
FAQs
It shows the gopīs’ complete śaraṇāgati: they renounce worldly sense-objects and take exclusive shelter at Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet, begging Him not to reject devoted souls who have come only for Him.
Kṛṣṇa had spoken words that sounded rejecting, testing their resolve and purity of love. The gopīs respond that such harshness is unfitting because they have already left everything to seek only His shelter.
Prioritize devotional practice over fleeting distractions: keep your core commitments to prayer, chanting, and ethical living, and when faith is tested, reaffirm your chosen spiritual shelter rather than returning to old habits.