SB 10.21 - The Gopis Glorify the song of Krsna’s Flute - Purports by Srila Prabhupada

[Center for Bhakti Studies]

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Canto 10 – The Summum Bonum
Chapter 21 – The Gopis Glorify the song of Krsna’s Flute
SB 10.21 Summary

This chapter describes how Lord Sri Krsna entered the enchanting forest of Vrndavana upon the arrival of autumn, and the praises the young cowherd girls sang when they heard the vibration of His flute.
As Lord Krsna, Lord Balarama and Their cowherd friends entered the forest to graze the cows, Krsna began playing His flute. The gopis heard the enchanting flute-song and understood that Krsna was entering the forest. Then they narrated to each other the Lord's various activities.
The gopis declared, "To see Lord Krsna playing His flute while taking the cows to pasture is the highest perfection for the eyes. What pious activities has this flute performed that enable him to freely drink the nectar of Sri Krsna's lips -- a blessing we cowherd girls find difficult to achieve? Hearing the song of Krsna's flute, the peacocks dance, and all the other creatures become stunned when they see them. Demigoddesses traveling through the sky in their airplanes are vexed by Cupid, and their garments become loose. The ears of the cows stand on end as they drink the nectar of this flute-song, and their calves simply stand stunned, the milk they have been drinking from their mothers' udders still in their mouths. The birds take shelter of the branches of the trees and close their eyes, listening to the song of Krsna's flute with rapt attention. The flowing rivers become perturbed by conjugal attraction for Krsna and, stopping their flow, embrace Krsna's lotus feet with the arms of their waves, while the clouds serve as parasols to shade Krsna's head from the hot sun. The aborigine women of the Sabara race, seeing the grass stained by the red kunkuma adorning the Lord's lotus feet, smear this vermilion powder upon their breasts and faces to alleviate the distress created by Cupid. Govardhana Hill offers grass and various kinds of fruits and bulbous roots in worship of Lord Sri Krsna. All the nonmoving living beings take on the characteristics of moving creatures, and the moving living beings become stationary. These things are all very wonderful."


SB 10.21.1
sri-suka uvaca
ittham sarat-svaccha-jalam
padmakara-sugandhina
nyavisad vayuna vatam
sa -go-gopalako 'cyutah
SYNONYMS
sri-sukah uvaca -- Sri Sukadeva Gosvami said; ittham -- in this way; sarat -- of the fall season; svaccha -- clear; jalam -- having water; padma-akara -- from the lake filled with lotus flowers; su-gandhina -- with the sweet fragrance; nyavisat -- He entered; vayuna -- by the breeze; vatam -- ventilated; sa -- with; go -- the cows; gopalakah -- and the cowherd boys; acyutah -- the infallible Supreme Personality of Godhead.
TRANSLATION
Sukadeva Gosvami said: Thus the Vrndavana forest was filled with transparent autumnal waters and cooled by breezes perfumed with the fragrance of lotus flowers growing in the clear lakes. The infallible Lord, accompanied by His cows and cowherd boyfriends, entered that Vrndavana forest.
SB 10.21.2
kusumita-vanaraji-susmi-bhrnga
dvija-kula-ghusta-sarah-sarin-mahidhram
madhupatir avagahya carayan gah
saha-pasu-pala-balas cukuja venum
SYNONYMS
kusumita -- flowering; vana-raji -- among the groups of trees; susmi -- maddened; bhrnga -- with bees; dvija -- of birds; kula -- and flocks; ghusta -- resounding; sarah -- its lakes; sarit -- rivers; mahidhram -- and hills; madhu-patih -- the Lord of Madhu (Krsna); avagahya -- entering; carayan -- while tending; gah -- the cows; saha-pasu-pala-balah -- in the company of the cowherd boys and Lord Balarama; cukuja -- vibrated; venum -- His flute.
TRANSLATION
The lakes, rivers and hills of Vrndavana resounded with the sounds of maddened bees and flocks of birds moving about the flowering trees. In the company of the cowherd boys and Balarama, Madhupati [Sri Krsna] entered that forest, and while herding the cows He began to vibrate His flute.
PURPORT
As suggested by the words cukuja venum, Lord Krsna skillfully blended the sound of His flute with the lovely sounds of Vrndavana's multicolored birds. Thus an irresistible, heavenly vibration was created.
Bhaktivedanta VedaBase: SB 10.21.3
tad vraja-striya asrutya
venu-gitam smarodayam
kascit paroksam krsnasya
sva-sakhibhyo 'nvavarnayan
SYNONYMS
tat -- that; vraja-striyah -- the ladies in the cowherd village; asrutya -- hearing; venu-gitam -- the song of the flute; smara-udayam -- which gives rise to the influence of Cupid; kascit -- some of them; paroksam -- privately; krsnasya -- about Krsna; sva-sakhibhyah -- to their intimate companions; anvavarnayan -- described.
TRANSLATION
When the young ladies in the cowherd village of Vraja heard the song of Krsna's flute, which arouses the influence of Cupid, some of them privately began describing Krsna's qualities to their intimate friends.
SB 10.21.4
tad varnayitum arabdhah
smarantyah krsna-cestitam
nasakan smara-vegena
viksipta-manaso nrpa
SYNONYMS
tat -- that; varnayitum -- to describe; arabdhah -- beginning; smarantyah -- remembering; krsna-cestitam -- the activities of Krsna; na asakan -- they were incapable; smara-vegena -- by the force of Cupid; viksipta -- agitated; manasah -- whose minds; nrpa -- O King Pariksit.
TRANSLATION
The cowherd girls began to speak about Krsna, but when they remembered His activities, O King, the power of Cupid disturbed their minds, and thus they could not speak.
SB 10.21.5
barhapidam nata-vara-vapuh karnayoh karnikaram
bibhrad vasah kanaka-kapisam vaijayantim ca malam
randhran venor adhara-sudhayapurayan gopa-vrndair
vrndaranyam sva-pada-ramanam pravisad gita-kirtih
SYNONYMS
barha -- a peacock feather; apidam -- as the decoration of His head; nata-vara -- of the best of dancers; vapuh -- the transcendental body; karnayoh -- on the ears; karnikaram -- a particular kind of blue lotuslike flower; bibhrat -- wearing; vasah -- garments; kanaka -- like gold; kapisam -- yellowish; vaijayantim -- named Vaijayanti; ca -- and; malam -- the garland; randhran -- the holes; venoh -- of His flute; adhara -- of His lips; sudhaya -- with the nectar; apurayan -- filling up; gopa-vrndaih -- by the cowherd boys; vrnda-aranyam -- the forest of Vrndavana; sva-pada -- because of the marks of His lotus feet; ramanam -- enchanting; pravisat -- He entered; gita -- being sung; kirtih -- His glories.
TRANSLATION
Wearing a peacock-feather ornament upon His head, blue karnikara flowers on His ears, a yellow garment as brilliant as gold, and the Vaijayanti garland, Lord Krsna exhibited His transcendental form as the greatest of dancers as He entered the forest of Vrndavana, beautifying it with the marks of His footprints. He filled the holes of His flute with the nectar of His lips, and the cowherd boys sang His glories.
PURPORT
The gopis remembered all the transcendental qualities of Krsna mentioned in this verse. Krsna's artful way of dressing and the beautiful blue flowers placed over His ears excited the gopis' romantic desires, and as He poured the nectar of His lips into His flute, they simply lost themselves in ecstatic love for Him.
SB 10.21.6
iti venu-ravam rajan
sarva-bhuta-manoharam
srutva vraja-striyah sarva
varnayantyo 'bhirebhire
SYNONYMS
iti -- thus; venu-ravam -- the vibration of the flute; rajan -- 0 King Pariksit; sarva-bhuta -- of all living beings; manah-haram -- stealing the minds; srutva -- hearing; vraja-striyah -- the ladies standing in the village of Vraja; sarvah -- all of them; varnayantyah -- engaged in describing; abhirebhire -- embraced one another.
TRANSLATION
O King, when the young ladies in Vraja heard the sound of Krsna's flute, which captivates the minds of all living beings, they all embraced one another and began describing it.
PURPORT
The word iti here indicates that after becoming speechless by remembering Krsna, the cowherd damsels then regained their composure and were thus able to ecstatically describe the sound of Krsna's flute. As a few gopis began to exclaim, and the other gopis realized that they shared the same ecstatic love within their hearts, all of them started embracing one another, overwhelmed with conjugal love for young Krsna.
SB 10.21.7
sri-gopya ucuh
aksanvatam phalam idam na param vidamah
sakhyah pasun anavivesayator vayasyaih
vaktram vrajesa-sutayor anavenu-justam
yair va nipitam anurakta-kataksa-moksam
SYNONYMS
sri-gopyah ucuh -- the gopis said; aksanvatam -- of those who have eyes; phalam -- the fruit; idam -- this; na -- not; param -- other; vidamah -- we know; sakhyah -- O friends; pasun -- the cows; anuvivesayatoh -- causing to enter one forest after another; vayasyaih -- with Their friends of the same age; vaktram -- the faces; vraja-isa -- of Maharaja Nanda; sutayoh -- of the two sons; anu-venu-justam -- possessed of flutes; yaih -- by which; va -- or; nipitam -- imbibed; anurakta -- loving; kata-aksa -- glances; moksam -- giving off.
TRANSLATION
The cowherd girls said: O friends, those eyes that see the beautiful faces of the sons of Maharaja Nanda are certainly fortunate. As these two sons enter the forest, surrounded by Their friends, driving the cows before Them, They hold Their flutes to Their mouths and glance lovingly upon the residents of Vrndavana. For those who have eyes, we think there is no greater object of vision.
PURPORT
This translation is quoted from Srila Prabhupada's Caitanya-caritamrta (Adi-lila 4.155).
Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura has commented as follows: "The gopis meant to say, 'O friends, if you simply remain in the shackles of family life in this material world, what will you ever get to see? The creator has granted us these eyes, so let us see the most wonderful thing there is to see, Krsna.' "
The gopis were aware that their mothers or other elder persons might hear their romantic words and disapprove, and thus they said, aksanvatam phalam: "To see Krsna is the goal for all persons and not simply ourselves." In other words, the gopis indicated that since Krsna is the supreme object of love for everyone, why couldn't they also love Him in spiritual ecstasy?
According to the acaryas, a different gopi spoke this and each of the following verses (through Text 19).
SB 10.21.8
cuta-pravala-barha-stabakotpalabja
malanuprkta-paridhana-vicitra-vesau
madhye virejatur alam pasu-pala-gosthyam
range yatha nata-varau kvaca gayamanau
SYNONYMS
cuta -- of a mango tree; pravala -- with young sprouts; barha -- peacock feathers; stabaka -- bunches of flowers; utpala -- lotuses; abja -- and lilies; mala -- with garlands; anuprkta -- touched; paridhana -- Their garments; vicitra -- with great variety; vesau -- being dressed; madhye -- in the midst; virejatuh -- the two of Them shone forth; alam -- magnificently; pasu-pala -- of the cowherd boys; gosthyam -- within the assembly; range -- upon a stage; yatha -- just as; nata-varau -- two most excellent dancers; kvaca -- sometimes; gayamanau -- Themselves singing.
TRANSLATION
Dressed in a charming variety of garments, upon which Their garlands rest, and decorating Themselves with peacock feathers, lotuses, lilies, newly grown mango sprouts and clusters of flower buds, Krsna and Balarama shine forth magnificently among the assembly of cowherd boys. They look just like the best of dancers appearing on a dramatic stage, and sometimes They sing.
PURPORT
The gopis continue singing their ecstatic song as they remember the pastimes of Lord Krsna. The gopis wanted to go to the forest where Krsna was performing His pastimes and, while remaining concealed, peer through the leaves of the creepers and see the wonder of Krsna and Balarama dancing and singing with Their boyfriends. This was their desire, but because they could not go, they sang this song in ecstatic love.
SB 10.21.9
gopyah kim acarad ayam kusalam sma venur
damodaradhara-sudham api gopikanam
bhunkte svayam yad avasista-rasam hradinyo
hrsyat-tvaco 'sru mumucus taravo yatharyah
SYNONYMS
gopyah -- O gopis; kim -- what; acarat -- performed; ayam -- this; kusalam -- auspicious activities; sma -- certainly; venuh -- the flute; damodara -- of Krsna; adhara-sudham -- the nectar of the lips; api -- even; gopikanam -- which is owed to the gopis; bhunkte -- enjoys; svayam -- independently; yat -- from which; avasista -- remaining; rasam -- the taste only; hradinyah -- the rivers; hrsyat -- feeling jubilant; tvacah -- whose bodies; asru -- tears; mumucuh -- shed; taravah -- the trees; yatha -- exactly like; aryah -- old forefathers.
TRANSLATION
My dear gopis, what auspicious activities must the flute have performed to enjoy the nectar of Krsna's lips independently and leave only a taste for us gopis, for whom that nectar is actually meant! The forefathers of the flute, the bamboo trees, shed tears of pleasure. His mother, the river on whose bank the bamboo was born, feels jubilation, and therefore her blooming lotus flowers are standing like hair on her body.
PURPORT
This translation is quoted from Srila Prabhupada's Caitanya-caritamrta (Antya 16.140).
In the guise of releasing flowing sap, the bamboo trees are actually crying tears of ecstasy upon seeing their child become an exalted devotee-flute of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Krsna.
Sanatana Gosvami gives an alternate explanation: The trees are crying because they are unhappy at not being able to play with Krsna themselves. One may object that the trees in Vrndavana should not lament for that which is impossible for them to obtain, just as a beggar certainly doesn't lament because he is forbidden to meet the king. But the trees are actually just like intelligent persons who suffer when they cannot obtain the goal of life. Thus the trees are crying because they cannot get the nectar of Krsna's lips.
SB 10.21.10
vrndavanam sakhi bhuvo vitanoti kirtim
yad devaki-suta-padambuja-labdha-laksmi
govinda-venum anu matta-mayura-nrtyam preksyadri-sanv-avaratanya-samasta-sattvam
SYNONYMS
vrndavanam -- Vrndavana; sakhi -- O friend; bhuvah -- of the earth; vitanoti -- spreads; kirtim -- the glories; yat -- because; devaki-suta -- of the son of Devaki; pada-ambuja -- from the lotus feet; labdha -- received; laksmi -- the treasure; govinda-venum -- the flute of Govinda; anu -- upon hearing; matta -- maddened; mayura -- of the peacocks; nrtyam -- in which there is the dancing; preksya -- seeing; adri-sanu -- upon the peaks of the hills; avarata -- stunned; anya -- other; samasta -- all; sattvam -- creatures.
TRANSLATION
O friend, Vrndavana is spreading the glory of the earth, having obtained the treasure of the lotus feet of Krsna, the son of Devaki. The peacocks dance madly when they hear Govinda's flute, and when other creatures see them from the hilltops, they all become stunned.
PURPORT
Srila Sridhara Svami explains that because activities such as those described in this verse do not occur in any other world, the earth is unique. In fact, the earth's glories are being spread by wonderful Vrndavana because it is the place of Krsna's pastimes.
The name Devaki also refers to mother Yasoda, as stated in the Brhad-visnu Purana:
dve namni nanda-bharyaya
yasoda devakiti ca
atah sakhyam abhut tasya
devakya sauri-jayaya
"The wife of Nanda had two names, Yasoda and also Devaki. Therefore it was natural that she [the wife of Nanda] develop friendship with Devaki, the wife of Sauri [Vasudeva]."
Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura explains krsna-lila as follows: "In Vrndavana, the peacocks request Krsna, 'Govinda, please make us dance.' Thus Krsna plays His flute, and they surround Him in a circle and dance in time with the rhythm of His melody. And while standing in the midst of their dancing, He also sings and dances. Then those peacocks, who are fully satisfied with His musical performance, out of gratitude offer for His pleasure their own divine feathers. In the usual manner of musical performers, Krsna gladly accepts these presentations and places a feather upon the turban atop His head. Gentle animals such as deer and doves greatly relish the transcendental entertainment presented by Krsna, and to get a good view they flock to the peaks of hills. Then, as they watch the breathtaking program, they become stunned in ecstasy."
Srila Sanatana Gosvami comments that because in Vrndavana Krsna goes barefoot and can thus directly mark the earth with the symbols of His lotus feet, that transcendental land is even more glorious than Vaikuntha, where Visnu wears slippers.
SB 10.21.11
dhanyah sma mudha-gatayo 'pi harinya eta
ya nanda-nandanam upatta-vicitra-vesam
akarnya venu-ranitam saha-krsna-sarah
pujam dadhur viracitam pranayavalokaih
SYNONYMS
dhanyah -- fortunate, blessed; sma -- certainly; mudha-gatayah -- having taken birth in an ignorant animal species; api -- although; harinyah -- she-deer; etah -- these; yah -- who; nanda-nandanam -- the son of Maharaja Nanda; upatta-vicitra-vesam -- dressed very attractively; akarnya -- hearing; venu-ranitam -- the sound of His flute; saha-krsna-sarah -- accompanied by the black deer (their husbands); pujam dadhuh -- they worshiped; viracitam -- performed; pranaya-avalokaih -- by their affectionate glances.
TRANSLATION
Blessed are all these foolish deer because they have approached Maharaja Nanda's son, who is gorgeously dressed and is playing on His flute. Indeed, both the doe and the bucks worship the Lord with looks of love and affection.
PURPORT
This translation is quoted from Srila Prabhupada's Caitanya-caritamrta (Madhya 17.36).
According to the acaryas, the gopis were thinking as follows: "The female deer can approach Krsna along with their husbands because Krsna is the ultimate object of affection for the male deer. Because of their affection for Krsna, they are encouraged by seeing their wives attracted to Him and thus consider their household lives fortunate. Indeed, they become joyful upon seeing how their wives are searching after Krsna, and, following along, they urge their wives to go to the Lord. On the other hand, our husbands are jealous of Krsna, and because of their lack of devotion to Him they cannot even stand to smell His fragrance. Therefore what is the use of our lives?"
SB 10.21.12
krsnam niriksya vanitotsava-rupa-silam
srutva ca tat-kvanita-venu-vivikta-gitam
devyo vimana-gatayah smara-nunna-sara
bhrasyat-prasuna-kabara mumuhur vinivyah
SYNONYMS
krsnam -- Lord Krsna; niriksya -- observing; vanita -- for all women; utsava -- a festival; rupa -- whose beauty; silam -- and character; srutva -- hearing; ca -- and; tat -- by Him; kvanita -- vibrated; venu -- of the flute; vivikta -- clear; gitam -- song; devyah -- the wives of the demigods; vimana-gatayah -- traveling in their airplanes; smara -- by Cupid; nunna -- agitated; sarah -- their hearts; bhrasyat -- slipping; prasuna-kabarah -- the flowers tied in their hair; mumuhuh -- they became bewildered; vinivyah -- their belts loosening.
TRANSLATION
Krsna's beauty and character create a festival for all women. Indeed, when the demigods' wives flying in airplanes with their husbands catch sight of Him and hear His resonant flute-song, their hearts are shaken by Cupid, and they become so bewildered that the flowers fall out of their hair and their belts loosen.
PURPORT
In Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Srila Prabhupada comments: "[This verse indicates] that the transcendental sound of the flute of Krsna extended to all corners of the universe. Also, it is significant that the gopis knew about the different kinds of airplanes flying in the sky."
In fact, even while sitting on the laps of their demigod husbands, the demigoddesses became agitated by hearing the sounds of Krsna's flute. Thus the gopis thought that they themselves should not be blamed for their ecstatic conjugal attraction for Krsna, who after all was a cowherd boy from their own village and thus a natural object of their love. If even demigoddesses became mad after Krsna, how could poor, earthly cowherd girls from Krsna's own village avoid having their hearts completely conquered by His loving glances and the sounds of His flute?
The gopis also considered that the demigods, although noting their wives' attraction to Krsna, did not become envious. The demigods are actually very refined in culture and intelligence, and therefore when flying in their airplanes they regularly take their wives along to see Krsna. The gopis thought, "Our husbands, on the other hand, are envious. Therefore even the inferior deer are better off than we, and the demigoddesses are also very fortunate, whereas we poor human beings in an intermediate position are most unfortunate."
SB 10.21.13
gavas ca krsna-mukha-nirgata-venu-gita
piyusam uttabhita-karna-putaih pibantyah
savah snuta-stana-payah-kavalah sma tasthur
govindam atmani drsasru-kalah sprsantyah
SYNONYMS
gavah -- the cows; ca -- and; krsna-mukha -- from the mouth of Lord Krsna; nirgata -- emitted; venu -- of the flute; gita -- of the song; piyusam -- the nectar; uttabhita -- raised high; karna -- with their ears; putaih -- which were acting as vessels; pibantyah -- drinking; savah -- the calves; snuta -- exuding; stana -- from their udders; payah -- the milk; kavalah -- whose mouthfuls; sma -- indeed; tasthuh -- stood still; govindam -- Lord Krsna; atmani -- within their minds; drsa -- with their vision; asru-kalah -- their eyes full of tears; sprsantyah -- touching.
TRANSLATION
Using their upraised ears as vessels, the cows are drinking the nectar of the flute-song flowing out of Krsna's mouth. The calves, their mouths full of milk from their mothers' moist nipples, stand still as they take Govinda within themselves through their tear-filled eyes and embrace Him within their hearts.
SB 10.21.14
prayo batamba vihaga munayo vane 'smin
krsneksitam tad-uditam kala-venu-gitam
aruhya ye druma-bhujan rucira-pravalan
srnvanti milita-drso vigatanya-vacah
SYNONYMS
prayah -- almost; bata -- certainly; amba -- O mother; vihagah -- the birds; munayah -- great sages; vane -- in the forest; asmin -- this; krsna-iksitam -- in order to see Krsna; tat-uditam -- created by Him; kala-venu-gitam -- sweet vibrations made by playing the flute; aruhya -- rising; ye -- who; druma-bhujan -- to the branches of the trees; rucira-pravalan -- having beautiful creepers and twigs; srnvanti -- they hear; milita-drsah -- closing their eyes; vigata-anya-vacah -- stopping all other sounds.
TRANSLATION
O mother, in this forest all the birds have risen onto the beautiful branches of the trees to see Krsna. With closed eyes they are simply listening in silence to the sweet vibrations of His flute, and they are not attracted by any other sound. Surely these birds are on the same level as great sages.
PURPORT
The birds resemble sages because they live in the forest, keep their eyes closed, observe silence and remain motionless. Significantly, it is stated here that even great sages become maddened by the sound of Krsna's flute, which is a completely spiritual vibration.
The word rucira-pravalan indicates that even the branches of the trees are transformed in ecstasy when struck by the vibration of Krsna's flute-song. Indra, Brahma, Siva and Visnu, being primordial gods, travel throughout the universe and have extensive knowledge of the science of music, and yet even these great personalities have never heard or composed music like that which emanates from Krsna's flute. Indeed, the birds are so moved by the blissful sound that in their ecstasy they close their eyes and cling to the branches to avoid falling off the trees.
Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura explains that the gopis would sometimes address each other as amba, "mother."
SB 10.21.15
nadyas tada tad upadharya mukunda-gitam
avarta-laksita-manobhava-bhagna-vegah
alingana-sthagitam urmi-bhujair murarer
grhnanti pada-yugalam kamalopaharah
SYNONYMS
nadyah -- the rivers; tada -- then; tat -- that; upadharya -- perceiving; mukunda -- of Lord Krsna; gitam -- the song of His flute; avarta -- by their whirlpools; laksita -- manifest; manah-bhava -- by their conjugal desire; bhagna -- broken; vegah -- their currents; alingana -- by their embrace; sthagitam -- held stationary; urmi-bhujaih -- by the arms of their waves; murareh -- of Lord Murari; grhnanti -- they seize; pada-yugalam -- the two lotus feet; kamala-upaharah -- carrying offerings of lotus flowers.
TRANSLATION
When the rivers hear the flute-song of Krsna, their minds begin to desire Him, and thus the flow of their currents is broken and their waters are agitated, moving around in whirlpools. Then with the arms of their waves the rivers embrace Murari's lotus feet and, holding on to them, present offerings of lotus flowers.
PURPORT
Even such sacred bodies of water as the Yamuna and the Manasa-ganga are enchanted by the flute-song, and thus they are disturbed by conjugal attraction for young Krsna. The gopis are implying that since many different types of living beings are overwhelmed by conjugal love for Krsna, why should the gopis be criticized for their intense desire to serve Krsna in the conjugal relationship?
SB 10.21.16
drstvatape vraja-pasun saha rama-gopaih
sancarayantam anu venum udirayantam
prema-pravrddha uditah kusumavalibhih
sakhyur vyadhat sva-vapusambuda atapatram
SYNONYMS
drstva -- seeing; atape -- in the full heat of the sun; vraja-pasun -- the domestic animals of Vraja; saha -- together with; rama-gopaih -- Lord Balarama and the cowherd boys; sancarayantam -- herding together; anu -- repeatedly; venum -- His flute; udirayantam -- loudly playing; prema -- out of love; pravrddhah -- expanded; uditah -- rising high; kusuma-avalibhih -- (with droplets of water vapor, which are like) groups of flowers; sakhyuh -- for his friend; vyadhat -- he constructed; sva-vapusa -- out of his own body; ambudah -- the cloud; atapatram -- an umbrella.
TRANSLATION
In the company of Balarama and the cowherd boys, Lord Krsna is continually vibrating His flute as He herds all the animals of Vraja, even under the full heat of the summer sun. Seeing this, the cloud in the sky has expanded himself out of love. He is rising high and constructing out of his own body, with its multitude of flower-like droplets of water, an umbrella for the sake of his friend.
PURPORT
Srila Prabhupada states in his Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead: "The scorching heat of the autumn sunshine was sometimes intolerable, and therefore the clouds in the sky appeared in sympathy above Krsna and Balarama and Their boyfriends while They engaged in blowing Their flutes. The clouds served as a soothing umbrella over Their heads just to make friendship with Krsna."
SB 10.21.17
purnah pulindya urugaya-padabja-raga
sri-kunkumena dayita-stana-manditena
tad-darsana-smara-rujas trna-rusitena
limpantya anana-kucesu jahus tad-adhim
SYNONYMS
purnah -- fully satisfied; pulindyah -- the wives of the Sabara tribe; urugaya -- of Lord Krsna; pada-abja -- from the lotus feet; raga -- of reddish color; sri-kunkumena -- by the transcendental kunkuma powder; dayita -- of His girlfriends; stana -- the breasts; manditena -- which had decorated; tat -- of that; darsana -- by the sight; smara -- of Cupid; rujah -- feeling the torment; trna -- upon the blades of grass; rusitena -- attached; limpantyah -- smearing; anana -- upon their faces; kucesu -- and breasts; jahuh -- they gave up; tat -- that; adhim -- mental pain.
TRANSLATION
The aborigine women of the Vrndavana area become disturbed by lust when they see the grass marked with reddish kunkuma powder. Endowed with the color of Krsna's lotus feet, this powder originally decorated the breasts of His beloveds, and when the aborigine women smear it on their faces and breasts, they feel fully satisfied and give up all their anxiety.
PURPORT
Srila Prabhupada explains this verse as follows: "The wanton aborigine girls also became fully satisfied when they smeared their faces and breasts with the dust of Vrndavana, which was reddish from the touch of Krsna's lotus feet. The aborigine girls had very full breasts, and they were also very lusty, but when their lovers felt their breasts, they were not very satisfied. When they came out into the midst of the forest, they saw that while Krsna was walking, some of the leaves and creepers of Vrndavana turned reddish from the kunkuma powder that fell from His lotus feet. His lotus feet were held by the gopis on their breasts, which were also smeared with kunkuma powder, but when Krsna traveled in the Vrndavana forest with Balarama and His boyfriends, the reddish powder fell on the ground of the Vrndavana forest. So the lusty aborigine girls, while looking toward Krsna playing His flute, saw the reddish kunkuma on the ground and immediately took it and smeared it over their faces and breasts. In this way they became fully satisfied, although they were not satisfied when their lovers touched their breasts. All material lusty desires can be immediately satisfied if one comes in contact with Krsna consciousness."
SB 10.21.18
hantayam adrir abala hari-dasa-varyo
yad rama-krsna-carana-sparasa-pramodah
manam tanoti saha-go-ganayos tayor yat
paniya-suyavasa-kandara-kandamulaih
SYNONYMS
hanta -- oh; ayam -- this; adrih -- hill; abalah -- O friends; hari-dasa-varyah -- the best among the servants of the Lord; yat -- because; rama-krsna-carana -- of the lotus feet of Lord Krsna and Balarama; sparasa -- by the touch; pramodah -- jubilant; manam -- respect; tanoti -- offers; saha -- with; go-ganayoh -- the cows, calves and cowherd boys; tayoh -- to Them (Sri Krsna and Balarama); yat -- because; paniya -- with drinking water; suyavasa -- very soft grass; kandara -- caves; kanda-mulaih -- and edible roots.
TRANSLATION
Of all the devotees, this Govardhana Hill is the best! O my friends, this hill supplies Krsna and Balarama, along with Their calves, cows and cowherd friends, with all kinds of necessities -- water for drinking, very soft grass, caves, fruits, flowers and vegetables. In this way the hill offers respects to the Lord. Being touched by the lotus feet of Krsna and Balarama, Govardhana Hill appears very jubilant.
PURPORT
This translation is quoted from Srila Prabhupada's Caitanya-caritamrta (Madhya 18.34).
Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura explains the opulence of Govardhana Hill as follows: Paniya refers to the fragrant, cool water from the Govardhana waterfalls, which Krsna and Balarama drink and use to wash Their feet and mouths. Govardhana also offers other beverages, such as honey, mango juice and pilu juice. Suyavasa indicates durva grass, used to make the religious offering of arghya. Govardhana also has grass that is fragrant, soft and conducive to the strong growth of cows and increased production of milk. Thus this grass is used for feeding the transcendental herds. Kandara refers to the caves where Krsna, Balarama and Their friends play, sit and lie down. These caves give pleasure when the weather is too hot or too cold, or when it is raining. Govardhana also features soft roots for eating, jewels for ornamenting the body, flat places for sitting, and lamps and mirrors in the form of smooth stones, glistening water and other natural substances.
SB 10.21.19
ga gopakair anu-vanam nayator udara
venu-svanaih kala-padais tanu-bhrtsu sakhyah
aspandanam gati-matam pulakas tarunam
niryoga-pasa-krta-laksanayor vicitram
SYNONYMS
gah -- the cows; gopakaih -- with the cowherd boys; anu-vanam -- to each forest; nayatoh -- leading; udara -- very liberal; venu-svanaih -- by the vibrations of the Lord's flute; kala-padaih -- having sweet tones; tanubhrtsu -- among the living entities; sakhyah -- O friends; aspandanam -- the lack of movement; gati-matam -- of those living entities that can move; pulakah -- the ecstatic jubilation; tarunam -- of the otherwise nonmoving trees; niryoga-pasa -- the ropes for binding the rear legs of the cows; krta-laksanayoh -- of those two (Krsna and Balarama), who are characterized by; vicitram -- wonderful.
TRANSLATION
My dear friends, as Krsna and Balarama pass through the forest with Their cowherd friends, leading Their cows, They carry ropes to bind the cows' rear legs at the time of milking. When Lord Krsna plays on His flute, the sweet music causes the moving living entities to become stunned and the nonmoving trees to tremble with ecstasy. These things are certainly very wonderful.
PURPORT
Krsna and Balarama would sometimes wear Their cowherding ropes on Their heads and sometimes carry them on Their shoulders, and thus They were beautifully decorated with all the equipment of cowherd boys.
Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura explains that the ropes of Krsna and Balarama are made of yellow cloth and have clusters of pearls at both ends. Sometimes They wear these ropes around Their turbans, and the ropes thus become wonderful decorations.
SB 10.21.20
evam-vidha bhagavato
ya vrndavana-carinah
varnayantyo mitho gopyah
kridas tan-mayatam yayuh
SYNONYMS
evam-vidhah -- such; bhagavatah -- of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; yah -- which; vrndavana-carinah -- who was wandering in the Vrndavana forest; varnayantyah -- engaged in describing; mithah -- among one another; gopyah -- the gopis; kridah -- the pastimes; tat-mayatam -- fullness in ecstatic meditation upon Him; yayuh -- they attained.
TRANSLATION
Thus narrating to one another the playful pastimes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead as He wandered about in the Vrndavana forest, the gopis became fully absorbed in thoughts of Him.
PURPORT
In this regard Srila Prabhupada comments, "This is the perfect example of Krsna consciousness: to somehow or other remain always engrossed in thoughts of Krsna. The vivid example is always present in the behavior of the gopis; therefore Lord Caitanya declared that no one can worship the Supreme Lord by any method that is better than the method of the gopis. The gopis were not born in very high brahmana or ksatriya families; they were born in the families of vaisyas, and not in big mercantile communities but in the families of cowherd men. They were not very well educated, although they heard all sorts of knowledge from the brahmanas, the authorities of Vedic knowledge. The gopis' only purpose was to remain always absorbed in thoughts of Krsna."
Thus end the purports of the humble servants of His Divine Grace A . C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada to the Tenth Canto, Twenty-first Chapter, of the Srimad-Bhagavatam, entitled "The Gopis Glorify the Song of Krsna's Flute."