Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.33.15
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
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gharma-vaktra-śriyaḥ
—
whose facial beauty (came from) perspiration
Sub-compound. Gharma (sweat) + vaktra (face) + śrī (beauty). Sveda — perspiration — is another of the aṣṭa-sāttvika-bhāvas. The body's involuntary signs of prema become its very ornament. Pure Gauḍīya rasa-śāstra in one word.
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bhramara-gāyaka
—
with bees as singers
Bhramara (bee) + gāyaka (singer). The forest sings along. Gauḍīyas: the bhauma-Vṛndāvana is not stage scenery — every creature is rasa-conscious participant in the rāsa-līlā.
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rāsa-goṣṭhyām
—
in the assembly of the rāsa dance
Goṣṭhī = assembly, gathering. Same word used by Rūpa Gosvāmī for sat-saṅga of devotees. Here the rāsa is called goṣṭhī — the prototype of every assembly of bhaktas around Kṛṣṇa.
After describing the beauty of the various elements of song and dance, the beauty of the gopis enhanced by the dancing is described. They had earrings (karna utpala), their locks of hair swayed with the movements of the dancing. Perspiration appeared on their foreheads. All of this intensified the beauty of their faces as they danced. The sound of their bangles and ankle bells surpassed the music of instruments. Instruments such as drums and flutes also were played. The presiding deities of the instruments all appeared there to make their lives successful. However the instruments sounded without anyone having to play them. The garlands tied in their hair loosened and fell to the ground, as if the hair arrangements, pleased with the skilful dance steps of the gopis, were throwing down flowers in appreciation of their feet.
Their greatness is shown in two verses. Though they became tired from dancing, they became most beautiful. The reason for dancing is described. Since Kṛṣṇa displayed the highest essence of his unlimited sweetness (bhagavatā), they developed the highest bliss with him, since the gopīs were famous for being controlled by love for Kṛṣṇa alone. Being with him, they also displayed similar beauty and other qualities. And like them, he wore ornaments such as lotuses in his ears. The bees were remarkable because they were able to singing suitably for this occasion. Śrīdhara Svāmī says that at this time the musicians from the heavenly planets also played drums suitable for the occasion. He also includes Kinnaras since “inhabitants of the sky” were mentioned in verse 4. The gopīs did not depend on any other persons for singing or music however. They played and sang to express their joy.
Their greatness is shown in two verses. Though they became tired from dancing, they became most beautiful. The reason for dancing is described. Since Kṛṣṇa displayed the highest essence of his unlimited sweetness (bhagavatā), they developed the highest bliss with him, since the gopīs were famous for being controlled by love for Kṛṣṇa alone. Being with him, they also displayed similar beauty and other qualities. And like them, he wore ornaments such as lotuses in his ears. Śrīdhara Svāmī says that at this time the musicians from the heavenly planets also played drums suitable for the occasion. He also includes Kinnaras since “inhabitants of the sky” were mentioned in verse 4. Or this verse shows what was previously mentioned: that they were superior to Lakṣmī. Or previously the male Gandharvas had sung. Now at the beginning of the dance, they did not depend on others for singing and instruments. Or previously the songs of the Gandharvas and the music from their bangles were described. Now, even without that singing or sound of the bangles they danced. Valaya-nūpura-ghoṣa-vādyaiḥ can be taken as a negative: avalaya-nūpura-ghoṣa-vādyaiḥ. This is because, absorbed in the dance, they would deviate from the music. Thus even the bees did not hum at this time (abhramara-gāyaka). The garlands in their hair scattered because their hair worshipped his feet by scattering the flowers.
- Where do you notice 'nature joining in' — birds, breeze, light — when you remember Kṛṣṇa?
- What detail of beauty around you could become part of today's worship?
Bees are drawn to the lotus by fragrance alone — they need no instruction. So at the rāsa the bees sang, the garlands scattered, perspiration ornamented every face — the whole forest knew the choreography because it is the forest's own original mood.
My note
Source: vedabase.io