Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.22.12
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesLove and Joy Amid Embarrassment
“Seeing how Kṛṣṇa was joking with them, the gopīs became fully immersed in love for Him, and as they glanced at each other they began to laugh and joke among themselves, even in their embarrassment. But still they did not come out of the water.”
What the purport teaches
- The gopīs were fully immersed in love for Kṛṣṇa. Although embarrassed, they were overjoyed to receive His attention.
- Kṛṣṇa joked with them as if they were His wives or girlfriends. Their only desire was to achieve such a relationship with Him.
- They could not help laughing at His words and joking among themselves. Still, their embarrassment kept them in the water.
Try this today
Reread the translation today and pause to reflect on the gopīs’ love for Kṛṣṇa.
Ask yourself
What does the gopīs’ joy reveal about how deeply they valued Kṛṣṇa’s attention?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
From Canto 10, chapter 14 onward, the translation and purports were completed by Śrīla Prabhupāda's disciples after his departure, and published by the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust.