Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 23
Gopī-gīta in Separation: The Flute’s Call and Vraja’s Ecstatic Response
वत्सलो व्रजगवां यदगध्रो वन्द्यमानचरण: पथि वृद्धै: । कृत्स्नगोधनमुपोह्य दिनान्ते गीतवेणुरनुगेडितकीर्ति: ॥ २२ ॥ उत्सवं श्रमरुचापि दृशीना- मुन्नयन् खुररजश्छुरितस्रक् । दित्सयैति सुहृदासिष एष देवकीजठरभूरुडुराज: ॥ २३ ॥
vatsalo vraja-gavāṁ yad aga-dhro vandyamāna-caraṇaḥ pathi vṛddhaiḥ kṛtsna-go-dhanam upohya dinānte gīta-veṇur anugeḍita-kīrtiḥ
Dahil sa dakilang pag-ibig sa mga baka ng Vraja, si Śrī Kṛṣṇa ay naging Tagapagbuhat ng Govardhana. Sa pagtatapos ng araw, matapos tipunin ang lahat ng Kanyang mga baka, Siya’y umuuwi habang tinutugtog ang banal na awit sa plauta; sa daan, sinasamba ng matatanda at ng mga diyos ang Kanyang mga paang-loto, at ang mga batang pastol na kasama Niya’y umaawit ng Kanyang kaluwalhatian. Ang Kanyang kuwintas ng bulaklak ay nababalutan ng alikabok mula sa mga kuko ng baka, at ang ganda Niyang lalo pang ningning dahil sa pagod ay nagiging pista para sa mga mata. Sabik na tuparin ang hangarin ng mga kaibigan, Siya’y tulad ng buwang sumilang mula sa sinapupunan ni Yaśodā.
According to the ācāryas, at this point the gopīs climbed into the watchtowers of Vṛndāvana’s houses so they could see Kṛṣṇa as soon as possible when He returned home. Mother Yaśodā was very anxious for her son to come back, and therefore she had the tallest of the beautiful young gopīs climb up to see when He would arrive. It is implied here that Kṛṣṇa was somewhat delayed on the way home because His lotus feet were being worshiped by great demigods along the path.
FAQs
This verse praises Kṛṣṇa as vatsala—tenderly affectionate—who personally leads the entire herd home, showing divine love through simple service as Gopāla.
The gopīs describe that even village elders recognize His extraordinary divinity and purity, so they honor Him naturally when He passes by.
Serve dependents with steadiness and care—like Kṛṣṇa guiding the herd—making devotion tangible through responsibility, gentleness, and daily duty.