Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 8

Gopī-gīta: The Song of the Gopīs in Separation

Viraha-bhakti

Devanagari script

मधुरया गिरा वल्गुवाक्यया बुधमनोज्ञया पुष्करेक्षण । विधिकरीरिमा वीर मुह्यतीर् अधरसीधुनाप्याययस्व न: ॥ ८ ॥

Transliteration

madhurayā girā valgu-vākyayā budha-manojñayā puṣkarekṣaṇa vidhi-karīr imā vīra muhyatīr adhara-sīdhunāpyāyayasva naḥ

Translation

噢，莲眼者！你甜美的声音与婉妙的言辞，连智者之心也为之倾动，使我们愈发迷醉。亲爱的英雄，请以你唇间甘露复苏我们——你的婢女们。

Synonyms

• madhurayā: with sweet
• madhurayā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: madhura (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular; agrees with girā

• girā: speech/voice
• girā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gir (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular

• valgu-vākyayā: with charming words
• valgu-vākyayā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: valgu (प्रातिपदिक) + vākya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular; ‘charming words’ as instrument

• budha-manojñayā: pleasing to the wise
• budha-manojñayā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: budha (प्रातिपदिक) + manojña (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular; ‘pleasing to the wise’ qualifying girā/vākyayā

• puṣkara-īkṣaṇa: O lotus-eyed one
• puṣkara-īkṣaṇa: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: puṣkara (प्रातिपदिक) + īkṣaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Vocative (8th/सम्बोधन), Singular; ‘lotus-eyed’

• vidhi-karīḥ: (your) maidservants
• vidhi-karīḥ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vidhi (प्रातिपदिक) + karī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural; ‘women who perform (your) bidding/rites’ i.e., attendants; object of āpyāyayasva

• imāḥ: these (women)
• imāḥ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: idam (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural; ‘these’

• vīra: O hero
• vīra: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vīra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Vocative (8th/सम्बोधन), Singular

• muhyatīḥ: bewildered
• muhyatīḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √muh (मुह्) → muhyat (कृदन्त, शतृ)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural; present active participle ‘bewildered’ qualifying imāḥ

• adhara-sīdhunā: with the nectar of (your) lips
• adhara-sīdhunā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: adhara (प्रातिपदिक) + sīdhu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular; ‘nectar/wine of (your) lips’ as instrument

• āpyāyayasva: refresh/satiate
• āpyāyayasva: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √pyā (प्या ‘to swell/satiate’) with ā- prefix; middle/ātmanepada
• Form: Loṭ-lakāra (Imperative/आज्ञार्थ), 2nd Person (मध्यम), Singular; Ātmanepada; causative/intensive sense ‘refresh/satiate’

• naḥ: us
• naḥ: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Genitive/Dative (6th/4th), Plural enclitic; here: ‘us’ (beneficiary)

Characters & Entities

• Krishna
• Gopis

FAQs

What is the meaning of Gopī-gīta in Srimad Bhagavatam 10.31?

Gopī-gīta is the gopīs’ heartfelt song of longing in separation, where they beg Kṛṣṇa to return and sustain them with His presence, words, and divine affection.

Why do the gopīs ask Kṛṣṇa for the “nectar of His lips” in Bhagavatam 10.31.8?

In intense separation, they feel spiritually and emotionally drained; they pray that Kṛṣṇa’s intimate, life-giving grace—symbolized by the nectar of His lips and sweet speech—will revive their hearts.

How can the teaching of Bhagavatam 10.31.8 be applied in modern devotional life?

When devotion feels dry or the mind is restless, one can seek renewal through Kṛṣṇa’s “sweet speech” in śāstra, nāma-japa, and kīrtana—letting sacred sound nourish the heart and steady the mind.