Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, 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
在那里，牧童们先让牛群饮用亚穆纳河清澈、清凉而吉祥的河水。大王啊，随后他们自己也尽情饮用了那甘甜之水，心满意足。
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.