Kadamba Vruksha maarudam Gopi Vasthraapaharinam
Krishnam dhyaatwaardha raathretu japen mantram sahasrakam
Dasaraathra japaar Deva maakarshen Naagakanyakam
KanyakaaThridasaadinaam Kim lunar Marthya yoshitaha!
“ Gopikas are bathing in the crystal clear waters of the Yamuna! They are begging for their dress from Krishna, who has mischievously stolen them! But they are humble in their prayers in requesting Krishna to return their garments! Their eyes radiate gentleness! They are overwhelmed with modesty and unstable in their looks! It is as if Manmatha has just emerged and the Gopikaas are worshipping Krishna with their eyes similar to the flower arrows of Manmatha! Let that form of Krishna, worshipped by those Gopikaas, protect us!” declares Poet Leela Shuka in his ecstasy at the vision of his dear Lord Krishna in his mind!
The Gopikaas lost themselves in play in the clear waters of the Yamuna! Krishna, in the meanwhile, climbed on the ' Kadamba' tree and stole the garments of the Gopikaas! Gopikaas were stunned at this stealth of their darling Krishna! They were struck by the sense of modesty in appealing to Krishna to return their dress. They looked hither and thither with their lotus eyes that created erotic feelings! Leela Shuka is in a state of supreme bliss at the sight of Krishna the stealer of the robes of Gopikas. Praying such a form or of Krishna on the Kadamba Tree teasing the love lorn and languid Gopikaas has its special significance!
This sloka has a special significance as it is related to the “Gopala Krishna Mantra rajam”! Poet Leela Shuka was initiated into spiritually by his Guru who gave him the Upadesa of “ Madana Gopala Mantram! According to “Sanathkumara Samhitha” this sloka forms the “Dhyana” of “ Vasthrakarshana Prayoga”
The effect of meditating on the form krishna on the Kadamba Tree, involved in stealing the robes of Gopikas, has a tremendous effect! Chanting the mantra thousand times during the midnight or chanting it for ten nights shall attract Devas and damsels of the land of Nagas! Why then think of ordinary mortals?
“ Gopika Vasthrapa harana”—the incident of stealing the robes of Gopikas is one of the well known Divine leelas or Sports of Krishna! He wanted to teach them a lesson as they were proud of their beauty! On a day, when they went to the Yamuna for bathing, Krishna followed them secretly! The Gopikas disrobed themselves and freely played in the clear waters of the Yamuna. Silently, Krishna climbed on the Kadamba Tree and collected all the dress of the Gopikas with the help of his mischievous band! He sat on the branch of the tree as if He was totally innocent! After a jolly bath, the Gopikas were stunned at the disappearance of their robes and sensed that it was the purposeful mischief of young Krishna. The couldn’t come out of water without their garments! Modesty and shyness prevented them from coming out. They prayed and appealed to the Lord to save them and return their dress. It was only after a long time that Krishna sympathized with their state and returned their dress! It was a revelation for them that one has to surrender himself to God totally but not have any reservations like shyness or modesty! Leela Shuka such Krishna, showering His Grace on the Gopikas, to protect him!!
In the Mahabharata, Krishna didn’t come to the rescue of Draupadi when Dussasana started disrobing her in the presence of Bhishma, Drona and other seniors! She wailed and wept and clung to her robes in trying to save her chastity. A time came when she couldn’t save herself or stop the evil minded brother of Duryodhana. She threw her hands up and cried sincerely for help from Krishna. It was only later that Krishna granted her the never ending series of sarees! Dussasana was dead and dog tired in drawing away her sarees! Finally he fainted and Draupadi's chastity was protected! It is only total surrender to God that compels Him to come to your rescue!
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