Shloka 16
The Gopīs Glorify the Song of Kṛṣṇa’s Flute
Veṇu-gīta
दृष्ट्वातपे व्रजपशून् सह रामगोपै: सञ्चारयन्तमनु वेणुमुदीरयन्तम् । प्रेमप्रवृद्ध उदित: कुसुमावलीभि: सख्युर्व्यधात् स्ववपुषाम्बुद आतपत्रम् ॥ १६ ॥
dṛṣṭvātape vraja-paśūn saha rāma-gopaiḥ sañcārayantam anu veṇum udīrayantam prema-pravṛddha uditaḥ kusumāvalībhiḥ sakhyur vyadhāt sva-vapuṣāmbuda ātapatram
Dẫu dưới nắng hè gay gắt, cùng Balarāma và các cậu bé chăn bò, Śrī Kṛṣṇa vẫn dắt đàn vật của Vraja đi ăn cỏ và không ngừng thổi sáo. Thấy vậy, đám mây trên trời vì tình yêu mà nở rộng, lấy chính thân mình kết thành chiếc lọng, rắc những giọt nước như hoa để che mát cho người bạn.
Śrīla Prabhupāda states in his Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead: “The scorching heat of the autumn sunshine was sometimes intolerable, and therefore the clouds in the sky appeared in sympathy above Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma and Their boyfriends while They engaged in blowing Their flutes. The clouds served as a soothing umbrella over Their heads just to make friendship with Kṛṣṇa.”
FAQs
This verse describes a cloud, moved by love, rising to shade Kṛṣṇa like a parasol, showing that even nature in Vraja participates in loving service to Him.
Because Kṛṣṇa is the well-wisher of all beings, the cloud responds affectionately—like a friend—by offering protective shade and flowers, expressing devotion through service.
Offer practical, caring service to the Lord and His devotees—like providing comfort and protection—letting love express itself through tangible acts rather than words alone.