Monday, September 4, 2023

Srimad Bhagavatam XII. snippet 10 - 4 September 2023


॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥

Srimad Bhagavatam - snippet 10- Monday, 4 September 2023 - The Gopis and their songs.
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Bhakti is the way. Speaking to Bhagavan is prayer. Longing for his union is seeking.
The Gopis of Vraja are the ideal for us to follow. Here is a paraphrasing of their song!

https://rsachi.blogspot.com/2023/05/srimad-bhagavatam-x-a31-gopi-geeta-1.html

The Gopis search for Sri Krishna who has disappeared from their midst. They are crazily forlorn and burst into song. I am writing in English but the original shlokas and their translation are given in the blogpost linked above.


Dear Krishna? Where are you? Please don’t hide!

Your birth has made Vraja better than heaven,

As proof, the goddess of fortune has descended here!

You have enslaved us with your deadly glances

More ravishing than all the autumnal lotus blooms!

Our hero! You’ve saved us from Kaliya, Agha, Arishta, wind, fire and rain,

Only to hide now and throw us into despondency?

You’re our indweller Lord, but yet, we do crave to see you too!

Your touch is a blessing, your smile is a cleansing, but you’re now missing, Krishna!

Your feet bless this Vraja’s soil, are worshipped by Lakshmi, and 

Coveted for shelter by saints. Please place them on our burning bosoms now!

Oh, for your sweet words! Oh, for your sweet lips! We are thirsty, oh, Krishna!

Your stories are nectarine, sung by the best of poets,

They absolve us of the anguish of worldly life,  sanctifying on merely entering our ears.

No wonder only the worthy souls hear them!

This is indeed insane. You brought us the greatest joy by your smile, your glance and touch.

Now, bereft of these, we are all most wretched! 

Oh, we are worried, Krishna! We don’t want your tender lotus feet 

To hurt on Vraja’s pebbles and thorns! Come, let’s take care of them, please!

The best moment of the day is when you return fetching the cattle after grazing!

Your dark tresses are then covered with dust and look so beautiful!

Now listen, Krishna. You dare not cheat us and go away like this,

When we left our homes, husbands, all, to be with you!

We were drawn away beyond our control by the sweet strains of your flute.

Don’t you see our misery, our suffering? The only antidote is your company, dearest!

You are our world. You are our life. You are our lone joy. Please come back!

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