The Gopis Glorify the Song of Krishna's Flute

Verse 1 (bhagavata.10.21.1)

श्रीशुक उवाच इत्थं शरत्स्वच्छजलं पद्माकरसुगन्धिना । न्यविशद् वायुना वातं सगोगोपालकोऽच्युतः ॥ 21.1 ॥

śrī-śuka uvāca itthaṁ śarat-svaccha-jalaṁ padmākara-sugandhinā nyaviśad vāyunā vātaṁ sa-go-gopālako ’cyutaḥ

Shukadeva Gosvami said: Thus, with the lakes of Vrindavana clear with autumn's water and the breeze made fragrant by lotus blossoms, the infallible Lord entered that windswept forest together with the cows and the cowherd boys.

Verse 2 (bhagavata.10.21.2)

कुसुमितवनराजिशुष्मिभृङ्ग- द्विजकुलघुष्टसरःसरिन्महीध्रम् । मधुपतिरवगाह्य चारयन् गाः सहपशुपालबलश्चुकूज वेणुम् ॥ 21.2 ॥

kusumita-vanarāji-śuṣmi-bhṛṅga dvija-kula-ghuṣṭa-saraḥ-sarin-mahīdhram madhupatir avagāhya cārayan gāḥ saha-paśu-pāla-balaś cukūja veṇum

Entering that forest — its flowering groves ringing with intoxicated bees, its lakes, rivers and hills echoing with the cries of birds — Madhupati [Krishna], herding the cows with the cowherd boys and Balarama, made His flute sing.

Verse 3 (bhagavata.10.21.3)

तद् व्रजस्त्रिय आश्रुत्य वेणुगीतं स्मरोदयम् । काश्चित्परोक्षं कृष्णस्य स्वसखीभ्योऽन्ववर्णयन् ॥ 21.3 ॥

tad vraja-striya āśrutya veṇu-gītaṁ smarodayam kāścit parokṣaṁ kṛṣṇasya sva-sakhībhyo ’nvavarṇayan

Hearing that song of the flute, which stirs desire to life, some of the women of Vraja — Krishna being out of sight — began describing it to their own companions.

Verse 4 (bhagavata.10.21.4)

तद्वर्णयितुमारब्धाः स्मरन्त्यः कृष्णचेष्टितम् । नाशकन् स्मरवेगेन विक्षिप्तमनसो नृप ॥ 21.4 ॥

tad varṇayitum ārabdhāḥ smarantyaḥ kṛṣṇa-ceṣṭitam nāśakan smara-vegena vikṣipta-manaso nṛpa

O King, as they began to describe it, remembering Krishna's ways, they found themselves unable to go on, their minds overwhelmed by the force of that longing.

Verse 5 (bhagavata.10.21.5)

बर्हापीडं नटवरवपुः कर्णयोः कर्णिकारं बिभ्रद् वासः कनककपिशं वैजयन्तीं च मालाम् । रन्ध्रान् वेणोरधरसुधया पूरयन्गोपवृन्दै- र्वृन्दारण्यं स्वपदरमणं प्राविशद् गीतकीर्तिः ॥ 21.5 ॥

barhāpīḍaṁ naṭa-vara-vapuḥ karṇayoḥ karṇikāraṁ bibhrad vāsaḥ kanaka-kapiśaṁ vaijayantīṁ ca mālām randhrān veṇor adhara-sudhayāpūrayan gopa-vṛndair vṛndāraṇyaṁ sva-pada-ramaṇaṁ prāviśad gīta-kīrtiḥ

Wearing a crest of peacock feathers, His form like that of the finest of dancers, karnikara blossoms at His ears, a garment the tawny color of gold, and the Vaijayanti garland about His neck, filling the holes of His flute with the nectar of His lower lip, He entered the Vrindavana forest — made lovely by the very touch of His feet — surrounded by the cowherd boys, who sang His glories.

Verse 6 (bhagavata.10.21.6)

इति वेणुरवं राजन् सर्वभूतमनोहरम् । श्रुत्वा व्रजस्त्रियः सर्वा वर्णयन्त्योऽभिरेभिरे ॥ 21.6 ॥

iti veṇu-ravaṁ rājan sarva-bhūta-manoharam śrutvā vraja-striyaḥ sarvā varṇayantyo ’bhirebhire

Thus, O King, on hearing that flute-sound which captivates the hearts of every living being, all the women of Vraja fell into each other's arms as they spoke of it.

Verse 7 (bhagavata.10.21.7)

श्रीगोप्य ऊचुः अक्षण्वतां फलमिदं न परं विदामः सख्यः पशूननु विवेशयतोर्वयस्यैः । वक्त्रं व्रजेशसुतयोरनवेणु जुष्टं यैर्वा निपीतमनुरक्तकटाक्षमोक्षम् ॥ 21.7 ॥

śrī-gopya ūcuḥ akṣaṇvatāṁ phalam idaṁ na paraṁ vidāmaḥ sakhyaḥ paśūn anuviveśayator vayasyaiḥ vaktraṁ vrajeśa-sutayor anaveṇu-juṣṭaṁ yair vā nipītam anurakta-kaṭākṣa-mokṣam

The gopis said: Friends, we know no greater reward for having eyes than this — the eyes that drink in the flute-graced faces of the two sons of the king of Vraja, as, with Their companions, They drive the herds into the forest and let loose Their loving sidelong glances.

Verse 8 (bhagavata.10.21.8)

चूतप्रवालबर्हस्तबकोत्पलाब्ज- मालानुपृक्तपरिधानविचित्रवेशौ । मध्ये विरेजतुरलं पशुपालगोष्ठ्यां रङ्गे यथा नटवरौ क्व च गायमानौ ॥ 21.8 ॥

cūta-pravāla-barha-stabakotpalābja mālānupṛkta-paridhāna-vicitra-veśau madhye virejatur alaṁ paśu-pāla-goṣṭhyāṁ raṅge yathā naṭa-varau kvaca gāyamānau

The two of Them, wonderfully arrayed in garments hung with garlands of mango-shoots, peacock feathers, flower-clusters, water-lilies and lotuses, shone resplendent in the midst of the cowherd gathering, like two master dancers upon a stage, singing now and again.

Verse 9 (bhagavata.10.21.9)

गोप्यः किमाचरदयं कुशलं स्म वेणु- र्दामोदराधरसुधामपि गोपिकानाम् । भुङ्क्ते स्वयं यदवशिष्टरसं ह्रदिन्यो हृष्यत्त्वचोऽश्रु मुमुचुस्तरवो यथार्याः ॥ 21.9 ॥

gopyaḥ kim ācarad ayaṁ kuśalaṁ sma veṇur dāmodarādhara-sudhām api gopikānām bhuṅkte svayaṁ yad avaśiṣṭa-rasaṁ hradinyo hṛṣyat-tvaco ’śru mumucus taravo yathāryaḥ

O gopis, what merit has this flute earned, that it alone tastes the nectar of Damodara's lips — nectar that is rightfully ours — and leaves only what remains for the rivers to drink? Its kinsmen the bamboo trees stand with bark bristling in delight, shedding tears like proud elders.

Verse 10 (bhagavata.10.21.10)

वृन्दावनं सखि भुवो वितनोति कीर्तिं यद् देवकीसुतपदाम्बुजलब्धलक्ष्मि । गोविन्दवेणुमनु मत्तमयूरनृत्यं प्रेक्ष्याद्रिसान्ववरतान्यसमस्तसत्त्वम् ॥ 21.10 ॥

vṛndāvanaṁ sakhi bhuvo vitanoti kīrtiṁ yad devakī-suta-padāmbuja-labdha-lakṣmi govinda-veṇum anu matta-mayūra-nṛtyaṁ prekṣyādri-sānv-avaratānya-samasta-sattvam

O friend, Vrindavana spreads abroad the glory of the earth, for it has won its fortune from the lotus feet of Devaki's son. Seeing, from the ridges of the hill, the peacocks dancing wild to Govinda's flute, every other creature stands motionless without pause.

Verse 11 (bhagavata.10.21.11)

धन्याः स्म मूढगतयोऽपि हरिण्य एता या नन्दनन्दनमुपात्तविचित्रवेशम् । आकर्ण्य वेणुरणितं सहकृष्णसाराः पूजां दधुर्विरचितां प्रणयावलोकैः ॥ 21.11 ॥

dhanyāḥ sma mūḍha-gatayo ’pi hariṇya etā yā nanda-nandanam upātta-vicitra-veśam ākarṇya veṇu-raṇitaṁ saha-kṛṣṇa-sārāḥ pūjāṁ dadhur viracitāṁ praṇayāvalokaiḥ

Blessed indeed are these deer — dull of understanding though they are — who, does and dark bucks together, on hearing the flute's sound, offer to Nanda's wondrously adorned son a worship woven entirely of loving glances.

Verse 12 (bhagavata.10.21.12)

कृष्णं निरीक्ष्य वनितोत्सवरूपशीलं श्रुत्वा च तत्क्वणितवेणुविविक्तगीतम् । देव्यो विमानगतयः स्मरनुन्नसारा भ्रश्यत्प्रसूनकबरा मुमुहुर्विनीव्यः ॥ 21.12 ॥

kṛṣṇaṁ nirīkṣya vanitotsava-rūpa-śīlaṁ śrutvā ca tat-kvaṇita-veṇu-vivikta-gītam devyo vimāna-gatayaḥ smara-nunna-sārā bhraśyat-prasūna-kabarā mumuhur vinīvyaḥ

Beholding Krishna, whose beauty and grace are a festival to womankind, and hearing that clear melody of His sounding flute, the goddesses riding by in their sky-chariots find their hearts overtaken by desire and grow faint — the flowers slipping from their braided hair, their sashes coming loose.

Verse 13 (bhagavata.10.21.13)

गावश्च कृष्णमुखनिर्गतवेणुगीत- पीयूषमुत्तभितकर्णपुटैः पिबन्त्यः । शावाः स्नुतस्तनपयःकवलाः स्म तस्थु- र्गोविन्दमात्मनि दृशाश्रुकलाः स्पृशन्त्यः ॥ 21.13 ॥

gāvaś ca kṛṣṇa-mukha-nirgata-veṇu-gīta pīyūṣam uttabhita-karṇa-puṭaiḥ pibantyaḥ śāvāḥ snuta-stana-payaḥ-kavalāḥ sma tasthur govindam ātmani dṛśāśru-kalāḥ spṛśantyaḥ

The cows drink in, with ears raised like cups, the nectar of the flute-song streaming from Krishna's mouth; the calves stand frozen, mouthfuls of their mothers' flowing milk forgotten, touching Govinda within their own hearts through eyes brimming with tears.

Verse 14 (bhagavata.10.21.14)

प्रायो बताम्ब विहगा मुनयो वनेऽस्मिन् कृष्णेक्षितं तदुदितं कलवेणुगीतम् । आरुह्य ये द्रुमभुजान् रुचिरप्रवालान् शृण्वन्ति मीलितदृशो विगतान्यवाचः ॥ 21.14 ॥

prāyo batāmba vihagā munayo vane ’smin kṛṣṇekṣitaṁ tad-uditaṁ kala-veṇu-gītam āruhya ye druma-bhujān rucira-pravālān śṛṇvanti mīlita-dṛśo vigatānya-vācaḥ

O mother, surely the birds of this forest are sages in disguise — for, perched on the lovely young boughs, watched over by Krishna, they sit with eyes closed, listening to that sweet rising flute-song, deaf to every other sound.

Verse 15 (bhagavata.10.21.15)

नद्यस्तदा तदुपधार्य मुकुन्दगीत- मावर्तलक्षितमनोभवभग्नवेगाः । आलिङ्गनस्थगितमूर्मिभुजैर्मुरारे- र्गृह्णन्ति पादयुगलं कमलोपहाराः ॥ 21.15 ॥

nadyas tadā tad upadhārya mukunda-gītam āvarta-lakṣita-manobhava-bhagna-vegāḥ āliṅgana-sthagitam ūrmi-bhujair murārer gṛhṇanti pāda-yugalaṁ kamalopahārāḥ

The rivers, on hearing that song of Mukunda, feel their currents falter, their longing betrayed by the whirlpools that mark their course; with the arms of their waves they seize Murari's two feet in an embrace, presenting Him lotuses as offerings.

Verse 16 (bhagavata.10.21.16)

दृष्ट्वातपे व्रजपशून् सह रामगोपैः सञ्चारयन्तमनु वेणुमुदीरयन्तम् । प्रेमप्रवृद्ध उदितः कुसुमावलीभिः सख्युर्व्यधात् स्ववपुषाम्बुद आतपत्रम् ॥ 21.16 ॥

dṛṣṭvātape vraja-paśūn saha rāma-gopaiḥ sañcārayantam anu veṇum udīrayantam prema-pravṛddha uditaḥ kusumāvalībhiḥ sakhyur vyadhāt sva-vapuṣāmbuda ātapatram

Seeing Him drive the cattle of Vraja onward through the heat, together with Balarama and the cowherds, His flute sounding all the while, the cloud, swollen with love, rises up in a garland of blossoms and makes of his own body an umbrella for his friend.

Verse 17 (bhagavata.10.21.17)

पूर्णाः पुलिन्द्य उरुगायपदाब्जराग- श्रीकुङ्कुमेन दयितास्तनमण्डितेन । तद्दर्शनस्मररुजस्तृणरूषितेन लिम्पन्त्य आननकुचेषु जहुस्तदाधिम् ॥ 21.17 ॥

pūrṇāḥ pulindya urugāya-padābja-rāga śrī-kuṅkumena dayitā-stana-maṇḍitena tad-darśana-smara-rujas tṛṇa-rūṣitena limpantya ānana-kuceṣu jahus tad-ādhim

The Pulinda women of the forest, their longing born from the very sight of Him, smear upon their faces and breasts the grass reddened by the kumkum that once adorned His beloveds' bosoms, tinted with the very hue of His far-praised lotus feet — and in that act, their anguish leaves them, and they are satisfied.

Verse 18 (bhagavata.10.21.18)

हन्तायमद्रिरबला हरिदासवर्यो यद् रामकृष्णचरणस्परशप्रमोदः । मानं तनोति सहगोगणयोस्तयोर्यत् पानीयसूयवसकन्दरकन्दमूलैः ॥ 21.18 ॥

hantāyam adrir abalā hari-dāsa-varyo yad rāma-kṛṣṇa-caraṇa-sparaśa-pramodaḥ mānaṁ tanoti saha-go-gaṇayos tayor yat pānīya-sūyavasa-kandara-kandamūlaiḥ

Behold, friend — this hill is the very finest of Hari's servants! Thrilled by the touch of Rama's and Krishna's feet, it honors Them, together with Their herds, with water, tender grass, caves, and roots to eat.

Verse 19 (bhagavata.10.21.19)

गा गोपकैरनुवनं नयतोरुदार- वेणुस्वनैः कलपदैस्तनुभृत्सु सख्यः । अस्पन्दनं गतिमतां पुलकस्तरुणां निर्योगपाशकृतलक्षणयोर्विचित्रम् ॥ 21.19 ॥

gā gopakair anu-vanaṁ nayator udāra veṇu-svanaiḥ kala-padais tanu-bhṛtsu sakhyaḥ aspandanaṁ gati-matāṁ pulakas taruṇāṁ niryoga-pāśa-kṛta-lakṣaṇayor vicitram

As the two of Them, with the cowherd boys, lead the cows through the forest, ropes for the milking bound at Their waists, the flute's sweet, generous notes fall upon every living creature: the moving grow motionless, and the very trees, unmoving as they are, shiver with delight. How wondrous a sight, my friends!

Verse 20 (bhagavata.10.21.20)

एवंविधा भगवतो या वृन्दावनचारिणः । वर्णयन्त्यो मिथो गोप्यः क्रीडास्तन्मयतां ययुः ॥ 21.20 ॥

evaṁ-vidhā bhagavato yā vṛndāvana-cāriṇaḥ varṇayantyo mitho gopyaḥ krīḍās tan-mayatāṁ yayuḥ

Thus, describing to one another such pastimes of the Lord as He wandered through Vrindavana, the gopis became wholly absorbed in Him.