Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.22.24
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
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sva-pāda-sparśa
—
for the touch of His own feet
Compound: sva (own) + pāda (feet) + sparśa (touch). The hidden saṅkalpa beneath the stated saṅkalpa. In Gauḍīya tattva pāda-sparśa is the supreme prize — the dust of His lotus feet (caraṇāmṛta) is what the gopīs really want, and only mādhurya unlocks it.
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kāmyayā
—
with the desire
Instrumental of kāmyā. Kāma here is not viṣaya-kāma but kṛṣṇa-kāma — pure spiritual desire for Him. Gauḍīyas distinguish the two carefully: same word, opposite directions; the test is the object.
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dhṛta-vratānām
—
of those who had taken their vow
Compound: dhṛta (held) + vrata (vow), genitive plural. The vow they 'held' across an entire month is now seen by Him in retrospect. Their austerity is honored by His direct address.
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saṅkalpam
—
the motivation
From sam-√kalp (to resolve). Saṅkalpa is the inner intention named at the start of a Vedic vrata. Kṛṣṇa, the antaryāmī, knows their saṅkalpa more precisely than their own words could express it.
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dāmodaraḥ
—
Lord Dāmodara
Compound: dāman (rope) + udara (belly) — He of the rope-bound belly, from Yaśodā's binding (chapter 9). The Lord who consented to be bound by mother's love is the same Lord now binding the gopīs' hearts. The name carries the whole Vraja-līlā in a single word.
"Oh king of enjoyers, we have received the results of our vows. Though you caused us extreme difficulty by which our very life airs left, we agreed with what you requested. You made us leave the water, you made fun of us, and saw our bodies. You put our clothes on your shoulder, and wanted to give us only half of them back, and you spoke to us only as much as necessary. As an answer, we have given you a bashful glance only. Maybe we offend you by this, or maybe you are satisfied with this. We do not know. So you who are knowledgeable of all time and place and person, should speak to us foolish women. Hearing that, we will return home." Desiring to answer them, the supreme, omniscient Lord then spoke in three verses.
He understood their vow by their previously described manifestation of emotions: they performed their vows strictly with a desire to touch his feet. They desired closeness to him as his wives. Or they desired that he offer (sparṣaṇa) his feet to them. This expresses their special prema. The word Dāmodara indicates that from the time of that pastime, they had love for him. He spoke to the girls who were without independence (abalāḥ). This indicates he was merciful, understanding that they had dedicated themselves to him alone.
- What silent request am I making that the Lord might be already preparing to answer?
- Where am I afraid to ask aloud what He already understands?
A reader of hearts who has heard the unspoken petition behind the spoken one — the gopīs asked for husband, but the deeper wish was the touch of His feet. Kṛṣṇa, who reads the saṅkalpa beneath the saṅkalpa, now speaks to the wish they did not name.
My note
Source: vedabase.io