Shloka 21
Gopī-gīta Aftermath: Kṛṣṇa Returns and Explains Divine Non-Reciprocation
Rāsa-līlā Dialogue
एवं मदर्थोज्झितलोकवेद- स्वानां हि वो मय्यनुवृत्तयेऽबला: । मयापरोक्षं भजता तिरोहितं मासूयितुं मार्हथ तत् प्रियं प्रिया: ॥ २१ ॥
evaṁ mad-arthojjhita-loka-veda svānām hi vo mayy anuvṛttaye ’balāḥ mayāparokṣaṁ bhajatā tirohitaṁ māsūyituṁ mārhatha tat priyaṁ priyāḥ
Hỡi các gopī yêu dấu! Vì Ta mà các nàng đã gạt bỏ dư luận thế gian, khuôn phép Veda và cả ý kiến người thân. Ta ẩn mình khỏi tầm mắt chỉ để tình quyến luyến bhakti của các nàng đối với Ta thêm sâu; nhưng tình thương của Ta dành cho các nàng chưa từng vơi. Vậy nên, người yêu của Ta, xin đừng ôm lòng oán trách Ta.
Here the Lord indicates that though the gopīs were already perfect in their love for Him, still, to inconceivably increase their perfection and show an example for the world, He acted as He did.
FAQs
In this verse Krishna implies His disappearance was not to reject the gopis but to engage their exclusive devotion; since they had given up worldly and even Vedic conventions for Him, they should not resent His momentary concealment.
After reappearing, Krishna addresses the gopis’ anguish and possible resentment, reminding them that their love is uniquely selfless and that His concealment occurred even while they were directly worshiping Him.
When spiritual progress includes periods of dryness or “absence,” take it as a call to deepen sincerity rather than blame God—continue steady devotion without resentment, trusting the process of purification.