Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 11
The Kātyāyanī-vrata, the Stealing of the Gopīs’ Garments, and Kṛṣṇa’s Teaching on Purified Desire
न मयोदितपूर्वं वा अनृतं तदिमे विदु: । एकैकश: प्रतीच्छध्वं सहैवेति सुमध्यमा: ॥ ११ ॥
na mayodita-pūrvaṁ vā anṛtaṁ tad ime viduḥ ekaikaśaḥ pratīcchadhvaṁ sahaiveti su-madhyamāḥ
Ta chưa từng nói dối; các cậu bé này đều biết. Vậy nên, hỡi các nàng thắt đáy lưng ong, hãy tiến lên—từng người một hoặc cùng nhau—và nhận lại y phục của mình.
FAQs
In this verse, Kṛṣṇa declares that He has never previously spoken a lie, using His truthfulness to reassure the gopīs even while orchestrating a playful līlā meant to deepen their surrender and devotion.
Kṛṣṇa speaks to the gopīs to remove fear and hesitation and to bring them to openly approach Him; the līlā tests and purifies their devotion, drawing them from social embarrassment into wholehearted dependence on Him.
Cultivate integrity in speech and learn to approach God without hiding—offering oneself honestly and fully, even when ego feels exposed, trusting that divine dealings ultimately purify and uplift.