In the past He bore marks of red from the kuṅkuma on the gopīs’ breasts. Now a saffron garment decorates His limbs. In the past He was delighted by Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī’s sweet touch. Now His fair body rebukes the splendor of gold.
Look! Look at Lord Gaura’s wonderful pastimes! The great debauchee who loved millions of girls now has accepted sannyāsa.
In the past He was tightly bound by the vraja-gopīs’ arms. Now He is always overcome with the ecstasy of a devotee’s spiritual love. Now the hairs of His body stand erect in spiritual love. Now tears of spiritual love stream from His eyes.
He was the graceful dancer whose body was dark like a monsoon cloud, the dancer who enjoyed pastimes in Vṛndāvana Forest. Balarāma dāsa says: That best of dancers has now become a penniless sannyāsī. Now He goes from house to house begging everyone to give the alms that they will fall in love with Lord Kṛṣṇa.
About Gopī Gaṇa Kuca Kuṅkume Rañjita
A before-and-after image, using the same technique as the neighboring topknot verse: in the past, as Krishna, His body was marked with red kunkuma from the gopis' breasts and was delighted by Radharani's touch; now, as Gauranga the sannyasi, a saffron cloth covers His limbs and His fair complexion outshines gold. The gopis' kunkuma is not a decorative simile but part of this song's central claim — that Chaitanya's present ascetic form is the same person as Krishna of Vraja.
Frequently asked
Who wrote Gopī Gaṇa Kuca Kuṅkume Rañjita?
Gopī Gaṇa Kuca Kuṅkume Rañjita was composed by Balarāma dāsa. It appears in Songs of the Gaudiya Vaishnava Acaryas.
What is the meaning of Gopī Gaṇa Kuca Kuṅkume Rañjita?
In the past He bore marks of red from the kuṅkuma on the gopīs’ breasts. Now a saffron garment decorates His limbs. In the past He was delighted by Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī’s sweet touch. Now His fair body rebukes the splendor of gold.
How many verses does Gopī Gaṇa Kuca Kuṅkume Rañjita have?
Gopī Gaṇa Kuca Kuṅkume Rañjita has 4 verses.
Can I download Gopī Gaṇa Kuca Kuṅkume Rañjita as a PPT or PDF?
Yes. A ready-to-display slide deck for Gopī Gaṇa Kuca Kuṅkume Rañjita — verse and translation on each slide — is available to download in both PowerPoint (.pptx) and PDF formats from this page, for use in kirtan or temple programs.