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Gopika Gita Meaning — Line by Line

गोपिका गीत

Every verse and every word explained in English & Hindi

Meaning — Line by Line

Every verse of Gopika Gita with its English meaning. Tap any word to hear it, or ▶ to recite the verse.

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  1. Verse 1. gopya ūcuḥ -
  2. Verse 2. śarad-udāśaye sādhu-jāta-sat-
  3. Verse 3. viṣa-jalāpyayād-vyāla-rākṣasād-
  4. Verse 4. na khalu gopikā-nandano bhavān-
  5. Verse 5. viracitābhayaṃ vṛṣṇi-dhūrya te
  6. Verse 6. vraja-janārti-han-vīra yoṣitāṃ
  7. Verse 7. praṇata-dehināṃ pāpa-karśanaṃ
  8. Verse 8. madhurayā girā valgu-vākyayā
  9. Verse 9. tava kathāmṛtaṃ tapta-jīvanaṃ
  10. Verse 10. prahasitaṃ priya prema-vīkṣaṇaṃ
Verse 1#

gopya ūcuḥ -

गोप्य ऊचुः - जयति तेऽधिकं जन्मना व्रजः श्रयत इन्दिरा शश्वदत्र हि दयित दृश्यतां दिक्षु तावका- स्त्वयि धृतासवस्त्वां विचिन्वते

gopya ūcuḥ - jayati te'dhikaṃ janmanā vrajaḥ śrayata indirā śaśvad-atra hi | dayita dṛśyatāṃ dikṣu tāvakās- tvayi dhṛtāsavas-tvāṃ vicinvate ||

MeaningThe gopis said: The land of Vraja is glorified above all by Your having taken birth here, and so the goddess of fortune dwells here forever. O beloved, look upon us — Your devotees, who have given our very lives to You and search for You in every direction.

Verse 2#

śarad-udāśaye sādhu-jāta-sat-

शरदुदाशये साधुजातस- त्सरसिजोदरश्रीमुषा दृशा सुरतनाथ तेऽशुल्कदासिका वरद निघ्नतो नेह किं वधः

śarad-udāśaye sādhu-jāta-sat- sarasijodara-śrī-muṣā dṛśā | surata-nātha te'śulka-dāsikā varada nighnato neha kiṃ vadhaḥ ||

MeaningO Lord of our love, You wound us with a glance more beautiful than the whorl of a perfect lotus blooming in an autumn pond. Since we are Your maidservants, won by You without any price, is it not murder to slay us this way, O giver of boons?

Verse 3#

viṣa-jalāpyayād-vyāla-rākṣasād-

विषजलाप्ययाद्व्यालराक्षसा- द्वर्षमारुताद्वैद्युतानलात् वृषमयात्मजाद्विश्वतोभया- दृषभ ते वयं रक्षिता मुहुः

viṣa-jalāpyayād-vyāla-rākṣasād- varṣa-mārutād-vaidyutānalāt | vṛṣa-mayātmajād-viśvato-bhayād- ṛṣabha te vayaṃ rakṣitā muhuḥ ||

MeaningO best of persons, again and again You have saved us — from the poisoned water of the Yamuna, from the serpent Kaliya and from demons, from the deadly rains and gale and lightning-fire of Indra, from the bull-demon and the son of Maya — from every danger in the world.

Verse 4#

na khalu gopikā-nandano bhavān-

खलु गोपिकानन्दनो भवा- नखिलदेहिनामन्तरात्मदृक् विखनसार्थितो विश्वगुप्तये सख उदेयिवान्सात्वतां कुले

na khalu gopikā-nandano bhavān- akhila-dehinām-antarātma-dṛk | vikhanasārthito viśva-guptaye sakha udeyivān-sātvatāṃ kule ||

MeaningO friend, You are not truly only the son of the cowherd Yashoda; You are the indwelling witness within all embodied beings. Prayed to by Brahma, You have descended among the Satvatas for the protection of the universe.

Verse 5#

viracitābhayaṃ vṛṣṇi-dhūrya te

विरचिताभयं वृष्णिधूर्य ते चरणमीयुषां संसृतेर्भयात् करसरोरुहं कान्त कामदं शिरसि धेहि नः श्रीकरग्रहम्

viracitābhayaṃ vṛṣṇi-dhūrya te caraṇam-īyuṣāṃ saṃsṛter-bhayāt | kara-saroruhaṃ kānta kāma-daṃ śirasi dhehi naḥ śrī-kara-graham ||

MeaningO best of the Vrishnis, Your lotus hand bestows fearlessness and fulfils all desires upon those who approach Your feet out of fear of worldly existence — it is the very hand that took the hand of Shri (Lakshmi). O beloved, place that hand upon our heads.

Verse 6#

vraja-janārti-han-vīra yoṣitāṃ

व्रजजनार्तिहन्वीर योषितां निजजनस्मयध्वंसनस्मित भज सखे भवत्किङ्करीः स्म नो जलरुहाननं चारु दर्शय

vraja-janārti-han-vīra yoṣitāṃ nija-jana-smaya-dhvaṃsana-smita | bhaja sakhe bhavat-kiṅkarīḥ sma no jala-ruhānanaṃ cāru darśaya ||

MeaningO hero who destroys the suffering of Vraja's people, O You whose smile shatters the pride of Your own devotees — accept us, Your maidservants, O friend, and show us Your lovely lotus face.

Verse 7#

praṇata-dehināṃ pāpa-karśanaṃ

प्रणतदेहिनां पापकर्शनं तृणचरानुगं श्रीनिकेतनम् फणिफणार्पितं ते पदाम्बुजं कृणु कुचेषु नः कृन्धि हृच्छयम्

praṇata-dehināṃ pāpa-karśanaṃ tṛṇa-carānugaṃ śrī-niketanam | phaṇi-phaṇārpitaṃ te padāmbujaṃ kṛṇu kuceṣu naḥ kṛndhi hṛc-chayam ||

MeaningYour lotus feet destroy the sins of the embodied souls who bow to them, follow the cows through the pastures, are the abode of Lakshmi, and were placed upon the hoods of the serpent Kaliya — place those feet upon our breasts and tear away the lust that burns within our hearts.

Verse 8#

madhurayā girā valgu-vākyayā

मधुरया गिरा वल्गुवाक्यया बुधमनोज्ञया पुष्करेक्षण विधिकरीरिमा वीर मुह्यती- रधरसीधुनाप्याययस्व नः

madhurayā girā valgu-vākyayā budha-manojñayā puṣkarekṣaṇa | vidhi-karīr-imā vīra muhyatīr- adhara-sīdhunāpyāyayasva naḥ ||

MeaningO lotus-eyed one, Your sweet voice and charming words, enchanting even to the wise, bewilder us. O hero, revive Your maidservants with the nectar of Your lips.

Verse 9#

tava kathāmṛtaṃ tapta-jīvanaṃ

तव कथामृतं तप्तजीवनं कविभिरीडितं कल्मषापहम् श्रवणमङ्गलं श्रीमदाततं भुवि गृणन्ति ते भूरिदा जनाः

tava kathāmṛtaṃ tapta-jīvanaṃ kavibhir-īḍitaṃ kalmaṣāpaham | śravaṇa-maṅgalaṃ śrīmad-ātataṃ bhuvi gṛṇanti te bhūri-dā janāḥ ||

MeaningThe nectar of Your stories is life itself to those scorched by the miseries of this world; it is sung by the great sages, it wipes away all sins, and to hear it is supremely auspicious and full of grace. Those who spread these narrations upon the earth are truly the most generous of benefactors.

Verse 10#

prahasitaṃ priya prema-vīkṣaṇaṃ

प्रहसितं प्रिय प्रेमवीक्षणं विहरणं ते ध्यानमङ्गलम् रहसि संविदो या हृदिस्पृशः कुहक नो मनः क्षोभयन्ति हि

prahasitaṃ priya prema-vīkṣaṇaṃ viharaṇaṃ ca te dhyāna-maṅgalam | rahasi saṃvido yā hṛdi-spṛśaḥ kuhaka no manaḥ kṣobhayanti hi ||

MeaningYour smiles, O beloved, Your loving glances, and the pastimes You enjoy — to meditate on them is auspicious; and the intimate talks that once touched our hearts in secret stir our minds, O deceiver.

Word-by-Word Breakdown

जयति ते अधिकं जन्मना व्रजः
jayati te'dhikaṃ janmanā vrajaḥ
the land of Vraja is supremely glorified by Your birth (and play) within it
श्रयते इन्दिरा शश्वत् अत्र हि
śrayata indirā śaśvad atra hi
for here Indira (Lakshmi, goddess of fortune) resides forever
दयित दृश्यतां
dayita dṛśyatāṃ
O beloved, please show Yourself
त्वयि धृतासवः त्वां विचिन्वते
tvayi dhṛtāsavas tvāṃ vicinvate
we who have placed our very life in You are searching everywhere for You
शरदुदाशये
śarad-udāśaye
in the autumn pond / clear autumn waters
सरसिजोदरश्रीमुषा दृशा
sarasija-udara-śrī-muṣā dṛśā
with a glance that steals the beauty of the heart of the lotus
सुरतनाथ ते अशुल्कदासिकाः
surata-nātha te'śulka-dāsikāḥ
O Lord of love, we are Your maidservants, won without any price
वरद निघ्नतः न इह किं वधः
varada nighnato neha kiṃ vadhaḥ
O giver of boons, is it not slaughter to wound us thus?
विषजलाप्ययात्
viṣa-jala-apyayāt
from the poisoned water (of the Yamuna, by Kaliya)
व्यालराक्षसात्
vyāla-rākṣasāt
from the serpent and the demons (Agha, Baka, etc.)
वर्षमारुतात् वैद्युतानलात्
varṣa-mārutād vaidyutānalāt
from the rains, the storm-wind (of Indra) and the lightning-fire
ऋषभ ते वयं रक्षिताः मुहुः
ṛṣabha te vayaṃ rakṣitā muhuḥ
O best of persons, we have been protected by You again and again
न खलु गोपिकानन्दनः भवान्
na khalu gopikā-nandano bhavān
You are not merely the son of a cowherd woman (Yashoda)
अखिलदेहिनाम् अन्तरात्मदृक्
akhila-dehinām antarātma-dṛk
You are the inner witness of all embodied beings
विखनसा अर्थितः विश्वगुप्तये
vikhanasā arthito viśva-guptaye
prayed to by Brahma, You descended for the protection of the universe
करसरोरुहं शिरसि धेहि नः
kara-saroruhaṃ śirasi dhehi naḥ
place Your lotus hand upon our heads
व्रजजनार्तिहन्
vraja-jana-arti-han
O destroyer of the distress of the people of Vraja
जलरुहाननं चारु दर्शय
jala-ruha-ānanaṃ cāru darśaya
show us Your beautiful lotus face
तव कथामृतं तप्तजीवनं
tava kathāmṛtaṃ tapta-jīvanaṃ
the nectar of Your stories is life itself to those burning (in the fire of material existence)
कविभिः ईडितं कल्मषापहम्
kavibhir īḍitaṃ kalmaṣāpaham
praised by the sages and poets, it removes all sin
श्रवणमङ्गलं श्रीमत् आततं
śravaṇa-maṅgalaṃ śrīmad-ātataṃ
auspicious to hear, full of spiritual richness, ever-spreading
ते भूरिदाः जनाः
te bhūri-dā janāḥ
those who recite and spread it are the most munificent of givers

Origin & History

Source: Srimad Bhagavata Purana, Tenth Canto, Chapter 31

Author: Veda Vyasa (the song of the gopis; narrated by Shuka to King Parikshit)

Period: Puranic

The Gopika Gita appears in the Rasa-lila section (the 'Rasa Panchadhyayi') of the Tenth Canto of the Srimad Bhagavata Purana. On the full-moon night of autumn, Krishna called the gopis of Vrindavan to dance with Him in the forest by the Yamuna. When a trace of pride arose in them, Krishna disappeared to teach them humility and to intensify their love. Maddened with separation, the gopis searched the forest, even asking the trees and creepers where their beloved had gone. Finally, gathering on the bank of the Yamuna, they sang together this song of longing and surrender — nineteen verses recalling Krishna's beauty, His protection of them, and their utter dependence on Him, imploring Him to return. Moved by their selfless love, Krishna reappeared in their midst.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Gopika Gita?
The Gopika Gita (also called Gopi Gita) is the song sung by the gopis of Vrindavan in their separation from Lord Krishna, recorded in Chapter 31 of the Tenth Canto of the Srimad Bhagavata Purana. It is one of the most beloved and emotionally powerful devotional hymns in the Vaishnava tradition.
Why did the gopis sing the Gopi Gita?
During the Rasa dance on the full-moon night of autumn (Sharad Purnima), Krishna suddenly vanished to curb the gopis' subtle pride and to deepen their love. Overwhelmed by separation, the gopis wandered the forest searching for Him, and out of their anguish and longing they spontaneously sang this song, begging Him to return.
What is the spiritual significance of the Gopi Gita?
It represents the highest stage of devotion — the soul's selfless, all-consuming love for God and its unbearable longing in separation (viraha). The gopis seek nothing for themselves but the Lord's presence alone, making their love the ideal model of prema-bhakti, pure love untouched by any selfish motive.
When is the Gopika Gita traditionally recited?
It is recited and sung especially on Sharad Purnima, the full-moon night commemorating the Rasa-lila, and during Krishna Janmashtami and on Ekadashi. Devotees also recite it regularly as a meditation on loving devotion to Sri Krishna.

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