Shloka 37
The Kātyāyanī-vrata, the Stealing of the Gopīs’ Garments, and Kṛṣṇa’s Teaching on Purified Desire
तत्र गा: पाययित्वाप: सुमृष्टा: शीतला: शिवा: । ततो नृप स्वयं गोपा: कामं स्वादु पपुर्जलम् ॥ ३७ ॥
tatra gāḥ pāyayitvāpaḥ su-mṛṣṭāḥ śītalāḥ śivāḥ tato nṛpa svayaṁ gopāḥ kāmaṁ svādu papur jalam
Tại đó, các cậu bé chăn bò cho đàn bò uống nước Yamunā trong vắt, mát lạnh và lành thiện. Tâu Đại vương, rồi chính họ cũng uống thứ nước ngọt ấy cho thỏa lòng.
FAQs
This verse shows the gopas’ natural, pastoral routine—caring for the cows first and then taking their own refreshment—portraying Vraja life as simple, pure, and centered on Krishna’s loving pastimes.
Śukadeva is narrating to King Parīkṣit, so he directly addresses him (“O King”) while describing the Vraja scene, keeping the listener anchored in the sacred dialogue.
It highlights responsibility and compassion—serving dependents first—encouraging devotees to practice care, stewardship, and humility as part of devotional living.