Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Madhya 20.180
Vāsudeva Longs for the Cowherd Pastimes
“ ‘My dear friend, this dramatic actor appears like a second form of My own self. Like a picture, He displays My pastimes as a cowherd boy overflowing with wonderfully attractive sweetness and fragrance, which are so dear to the damsels of Vraja. When I see such a display, My heart becomes greatly excited. I long for such pastimes and desire a form exactly like that of the damsels of Vraja.’
What the purport teaches
- Vāsudeva speaks these words in Dvārakā, in the Lalita-mādhava. He sees a dramatic actor who appears like a second form of His own self.
- The actor displays His cowherd pastimes like a picture, overflowing with wonderfully attractive sweetness and fragrance. These are very dear to the damsels of Vraja.
- Seeing this display greatly excites Vāsudeva’s heart. He longs for those pastimes and desires a form exactly like that of the damsels of Vraja.
Try this today
Reread Vāsudeva’s words and note one phrase that expresses His longing.
Ask yourself
What touches you about Vāsudeva’s response to the display of His cowherd pastimes?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport; the practice and question are plain words for trying the verse today.