Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 3
The Kātyāyanī-vrata, the Stealing of the Gopīs’ Garments, and Kṛṣṇa’s Teaching on Purified Desire
आप्लुत्याम्भसि कालिन्द्या जलान्ते चोदितेऽरुणे । कृत्वा प्रतिकृतिं देवीमानर्चुर्नृप सैकतीम् ॥ २ ॥ गन्धैर्माल्यै: सुरभिभिर्बलिभिर्धूपदीपकै: । उच्चावचैश्चोपहारै: प्रवालफलतण्डुलै: ॥ ३ ॥
āplutyāmbhasi kālindyā jalānte codite ’ruṇe kṛtvā pratikṛtiṁ devīm ānarcur nṛpa saikatīm
大王啊，黎明日出之时，牧女们在迦邻底河（亚穆纳）中沐浴，随后在河岸沙地上塑成泥制的杜尔迦女神像而礼拜。她们供奉檀香等芳香之物、花鬘、供品、香与灯，并献上果品、槟榔叶与槟榔、嫩叶与米等种种礼物。
The word balibhiḥ in this verse indicates offerings of clothing, ornaments, food and so on.
FAQs
In Canto 10, Chapter 22, the Bhagavatam describes the gopīs bathing in the Yamunā at dawn and worshiping an image of Goddess Kātyāyanī, performing a vow with the intention of attaining Śrī Kṛṣṇa as their beloved.
Śukadeva narrates how the gopīs expressed single-minded devotion through a simple, heartfelt ritual—fashioning a deity from sand on the riverbank—showing that sincerity in bhakti is central, not external opulence.
Begin spiritual practice with purity and regularity—like early-morning remembrance, bathing, and focused prayer—keeping the heart’s intention sincere even if resources are simple.