Shloka 11
Gopī-Vipralambha: The Search for Kṛṣṇa and the Revelation of Divine Footprints
अप्येणपत्न्युपगत: प्रिययेह गात्रै- स्तन्वन् दृशां सखि सुनिर्वृतिमच्युतो व: । कान्ताङ्गसङ्गकुचकुङ्कुमरञ्जिताया: कुन्दस्रज: कुलपतेरिह वाति गन्ध: ॥ ११ ॥
apy eṇa-patny upagataḥ priyayeha gātrais tanvan dṛśāṁ sakhi su-nirvṛtim acyuto vaḥ kāntāṅga-saṅga-kuca-kuṅkuma-rañjitāyāḥ kunda-srajaḥ kula-pater iha vāti gandhaḥ
اے سہیلی، ہرنی کی بیوی! کیا اچیوت یہاں اپنی پریا کے ساتھ آیا تھا اور تیری نگاہوں کو بڑی تسکین دے گیا؟ دیکھ، یہاں کلپتی شری کرشن کی کُند پھولوں کی مالا کی خوشبو چل رہی ہے—جو بغلگیر میں محبوبہ کے سینے کے کُمکُم سے رنگین ہو گئی تھی۔
Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī provides the following charming commentary on this verse:
FAQs
This verse shows the gopīs inferring Kṛṣṇa’s nearness from subtle signs—especially the fragrance of His kunda-flower garland, now marked by contact with a beloved—revealing their intense, perception-like love in separation.
In their longing, the gopīs imagine Kṛṣṇa delighting even forest creatures; the mention of the doe heightens their sense of separation and jealousy, while also praising Kṛṣṇa’s all-attractive mercy.
By remembering God through “traces” of His presence—names, teachings, sacred places, and devotional habits—one can transform absence into deeper remembrance, humility, and steady bhakti.