Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Madhya 24.50
Kṛṣṇa’s beauty inspires surrender and service
“ ‘Dear Kṛṣṇa, we have simply surrendered ourselves as Your maidservants, for we have seen Your beautiful face decorated with tresses of hair, Your earrings falling upon Your cheeks, the nectar of Your lips, and the beauty of Your smile. Indeed, because we have also been embraced by Your arms, which give us courage, and seen Your chest, which is beautiful and broad, we have surrendered ourselves.’
What the purport teaches
- The gopīs spoke these words when they arrived near Kṛṣṇa for the rāsa dance on a full-moon night. Attracted and awestruck, they explained why they had come.
- They describe His beautiful face, tresses of hair, earrings, lips and smile, as well as His beautiful, broad chest.
- Kṛṣṇa’s embracing arms give them courage. They declare that they have surrendered themselves as His maidservants.
Try this today
Read the gopīs’ words aloud once, paying special attention to their wish to serve Kṛṣṇa.
Ask yourself
What stands out to you in the gopīs’ expression of surrender?
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.