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Shloka 4

Balarāma Visits Vraja: Consoling the Gopīs and Dragging the Yamunā

गोपवृद्धांश्च विधिवद् यविष्ठैरभिवन्दित: । यथावयो यथासख्यं यथासम्बन्धमात्मन: ॥ ४ ॥ समुपेत्याथ गोपालान् हास्यहस्तग्रहादिभि: । विश्रान्तं सुखमासीनं पप्रच्छु: पर्युपागता: ॥ ५ ॥ पृष्टाश्चानामयं स्वेषु प्रेमगद्गदया गिरा । कृष्णे कमलपत्राक्षे सन्न्यस्ताखिलराधस: ॥ ६ ॥

gopa-vṛddhāṁś ca vidhi-vad yaviṣṭhair abhivanditaḥ yathā-vayo yathā-sakhyaṁ yathā-sambandham ātmanaḥ

巴拉罗摩主依礼敬拜年长的牧民,年轻者也恭敬致礼。他按年龄、交情与亲缘,含笑与众人握手等,逐一亲切相见。随后主稍作歇息,安坐舒座,众牧民围拢而来;这些把一切都奉献给莲眼的奎师那的人,因爱而声音哽咽,询问住在德瓦拉卡的亲人安康;巴拉罗摩也反过来问候牧民们的福祉。

गोप-वृद्धान्the elder cowherds
गोप-वृद्धान्:
Karma (कर्म/object)
TypeNoun
Rootगोप (प्रातिपदिक) + वृद्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
Formकर्मधारय: ‘वृद्धाः गोपाः’; पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया/Accusative, बहुवचन/Plural
and
:
Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootच (अव्यय)
Formअव्यय (conjunction/समुच्चय)
विधि-वत्properly, as prescribed
विधि-वत्:
Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootविधि (प्रातिपदिक) + वत् (तद्धित/प्रत्ययार्थ)
Formअव्यय (adverb): ‘विधिना यथा’ = according to rule/properly
यविष्ठैःby the youngest (ones)
यविष्ठैः:
Karta (कर्ता/agent)
TypeNoun
Rootयविष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक; superlative of युवा/युवन्)
Formपुंलिङ्ग/Masculine, तृतीया/Instrumental, बहुवचन/Plural
अभिवन्दितःwas respectfully greeted
अभिवन्दितः:
Kriyā (क्रिया; passive predicate)
TypeVerb
Rootअभि-वन्द् (धातु)
Formक्त/PPP (past passive participle): पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/Nominative, एकवचन; कर्मणि प्रयोगार्थ: ‘अभिवन्दितः’ = was saluted
यथा-अवयःaccording to (their) age
यथा-अवयः:
Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootयथा (अव्यय) + वयस् (प्रातिपदिक)
Formअव्ययीभाव: ‘वयसा यथा’ = according to age; अव्ययत्वेन
यथा-सख्यम्according to friendship
यथा-सख्यम्:
Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootयथा (अव्यय) + सख्य (प्रातिपदिक)
Formअव्ययीभाव: ‘सख्येन यथा’ = according to friendship; अव्ययत्वेन
यथा-सम्बन्धम्according to relationship
यथा-सम्बन्धम्:
Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
TypeIndeclinable
Rootयथा (अव्यय) + सम्बन्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
Formअव्ययीभाव: ‘सम्बन्धेन यथा’ = according to relationship; अव्ययत्वेन
आत्मनःof himself / his own
आत्मनः:
Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/possessor)
TypeNoun
Rootआत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग/Masculine, षष्ठी/Genitive, एकवचन/Singular
G
Gopas (cowherd men of Vraja)

FAQs

This verse highlights vidhivat—proper, dharmic etiquette—where younger members honor elder gopas, showing that devotion is expressed through humble social conduct.

He depicts the natural, affectionate order of Vraja life—relationships are personal and devotional, so interactions follow one’s specific bond, not mere formality.

Maintain humility and appropriate respect—honor seniors, be warm with friends, and act responsibly within each relationship, making devotion visible through behavior.