Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 19
Balarāma Visits Vraja: Consoling the Gopīs and Dragging the Yamunā
वरुणप्रेषिता देवी वारुणी वृक्षकोटरात् । पतन्ती तद् वनं सर्वं स्वगन्धेनाध्यवासयत् ॥ १९ ॥
varuṇa-preṣitā devī vāruṇī vṛkṣa-koṭarāt patantī tad vanaṁ sarvaṁ sva-gandhenādhyavāsayat
由伐楼那天神遣来的天赐瓦鲁尼酒，从树洞中流淌而下，以其甘美芬芳遍薰整座森林。
Śrīla Śrīdhara Svāmī explains that vāruṇī is a liquor distilled from honey. Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī adds that the goddess Vāruṇī, the daughter of Varuṇa, is the presiding deity of that particular divine liquor. The ācārya also quotes the following statement from Śrī Hari-vaṁśa: samīpaṁ preṣitā pitrā varuṇena tavānagha. Here the goddess Vāruṇī says to Lord Balarāma: “My father, Varuṇa, has sent me to You, O sinless one.”
FAQs
In 10.65.19, Śukadeva describes Vāruṇī as a divine liquor sent by Varuṇa, flowing from a tree hollow and perfuming the entire forest—an element within the unfolding pastime narrative.
Varuṇa is mentioned because the celestial substance Vāruṇī is described as being dispatched by him, highlighting divine arrangement and opulence within the līlā setting.
The verse reminds readers that the Bhagavatam’s sacred settings are pervaded by divine arrangement; cultivating remembrance of the Lord’s līlā and holy places can “perfume” one’s mind with devotion.