Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.65.9
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesBalarāma Honors the Gopīs’ Great Love
“[Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued:] Honored to have the personal audience of Lord Balarāma, the young gopīs smiled and asked Him, “Is Kṛṣṇa, the darling of the city women, living happily?”
What the purport teaches
- The young gopīs smiled and asked Balarāma whether Kṛṣṇa, the darling of the city women, was living happily.
- The ācāryas explain that their smiles arose from divine madness. They were feeling extreme unhappiness in separation from their beloved Kṛṣṇa.
- Balarāma deeply respected their great love for His younger brother. The verse indicates both that the gopīs honored Balarāma and that He honored them.
Try this today
Reread the gopīs’ question slowly, remembering that their smiles concealed deep sorrow.
Ask yourself
How does Balarāma’s respect help you appreciate the gopīs’ love for Kṛṣṇa?
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.