Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 23
Gopī-gīta in Separation: The Flute’s Call and Vraja’s Ecstatic Response
वत्सलो व्रजगवां यदगध्रो वन्द्यमानचरण: पथि वृद्धै: । कृत्स्नगोधनमुपोह्य दिनान्ते गीतवेणुरनुगेडितकीर्ति: ॥ २२ ॥ उत्सवं श्रमरुचापि दृशीना- मुन्नयन् खुररजश्छुरितस्रक् । दित्सयैति सुहृदासिष एष देवकीजठरभूरुडुराज: ॥ २३ ॥
vatsalo vraja-gavāṁ yad aga-dhro vandyamāna-caraṇaḥ pathi vṛddhaiḥ kṛtsna-go-dhanam upohya dinānte gīta-veṇur anugeḍita-kīrtiḥ
因对弗拉阇群牛的深切慈爱，圣克里希纳成为举持戈瓦尔达那山者。日暮时分，祂聚拢自家牛群归来，吹奏笛中圣歌；路旁长者与诸天礼敬祂的莲足，随行牧童齐声歌咏祂的荣光。牛蹄扬尘使祂花鬘蒙尘，而疲惫更添的俊美令众目如逢庆典。为满好友所愿，祂宛如从母亲耶输达胎中升起的明月。
According to the ācāryas, at this point the gopīs climbed into the watchtowers of Vṛndāvana’s houses so they could see Kṛṣṇa as soon as possible when He returned home. Mother Yaśodā was very anxious for her son to come back, and therefore she had the tallest of the beautiful young gopīs climb up to see when He would arrive. It is implied here that Kṛṣṇa was somewhat delayed on the way home because His lotus feet were being worshiped by great demigods along the path.
FAQs
This verse praises Kṛṣṇa as vatsala—tenderly affectionate—who personally leads the entire herd home, showing divine love through simple service as Gopāla.
The gopīs describe that even village elders recognize His extraordinary divinity and purity, so they honor Him naturally when He passes by.
Serve dependents with steadiness and care—like Kṛṣṇa guiding the herd—making devotion tangible through responsibility, gentleness, and daily duty.