I liked Verses 11 and 17 from "Gopala Vimsati" by Vedanta Deshika Acharya very much! If you read them together, they aesthetically and contextually fit into each other very much!
The notes about the mesmerizing influence of The Flute of Bhagavan Shree Gopal are incredibly precious!!!
And these 2 Lines from the the commentaries are Superb:
"Swamy Desikan describes now the Kithava vEsham put on by the GopAla Baalan to bring the Gopis under His total control"
and
"The Gopis naturally fall for Him head over heels".
"Gopala Vimsati" by Swami Vedanta Deshika Acharya is SS022 - Gopala vimsati at Sadagopan.org Library - http://sadagopan.org/index.php/categories/doc_details/139-ss022-gopala-vimsati
VERSE 11: MEDITATION ON THE BEAUTY OF VENUGOPALAN
(MEANING):
VeNugopAlan plays on his flute and creates delightful music and casts his most merciful glances on the Gopis.
They are totally captivated by his friendly smile and the divine music originating from His flute.
At this time, His cool and welcoming eyes resemble a pair of just- blossomed lotuses in the river of His mercy (Dayaa).
May this enchanting youth Gopala protect me always!
(COMMENTARIES):
In this slOkam, Swamy Desikan begs the Lord take him to His side even if He could not come to him.
Even if that were not possible, Swamy Desikan pleads for the rain of His KaruNaa Kadaaksham to drench him.
KrishNan is delighting the minds, ears and eyes of Gopis with His VeNu gAnam and Raasa Kreedai on the banks of the Yamuna river.
Swamy Desikan appeals to the busy Lord this way: You might not be able to leave the banks of Yamunai and come to my side.
In that case, please bring me to your side through the enchanting power of Your VeNu GhAnam.
Please bless me with your karuNA KadAksham. That would be my protection.
Bring me close to you like you get the wandering calves and cows to your side with the sound of Your VeNu. Sthree bhAvEna vipralambha srungAram anubhavathy.
Dr.V.N. VedAntha Desikan sums up the message of the 11th slOkam this way: “Gopala’s flute plays a role in tandem with the lovely glance, smile and mental wish.
Indeed the flute-music might be audible only to the Gopis or even to the Particular Gopi (KaaRRinilE varum gheetham).
Such a lovely music might even be meant for the cows, to which they would respond appropriately.
Both (the music of the flute and His eye glances) are love-inciting.
Both cause an instant captivation to the Gopis.
The glances are faultless, the smiles are also faultless, both are cool but not chilly.
The eyes are like lotus in the stream of Gopala’s daya.
May He safeguard me with those glances!
May He call me, by name, with His flute!”.
VERSE 17: DECORATIONS, ENHANCING THE BEAUTY OF VENUGOPALAN
(MEANING):
The mischievous Gopalan, who stole the youth of the Gopis appears before them with many decorations that enhance His beauty.
On his ears, the Gopis find the flower known as Laangali (Flower from the coconut tree's sheaf/Tennampaalai flower); peacock feathers are found by them on his dark and curly tresses; red hibiscus also decorates those tresses.
On his broad chest, they find a beautiful necklace made of yellowish-red seeds known as Gunjaa or Kunrumani strung together. With these and more AabharaNaas made of forest products, Gopala enchants the hearts of the adoring Gopis.
(COMMENTARIES):
Swamy Desikan describes now the Kithava vEsham put on by the GopAla Baalan to bring the Gopis under His total control.
Kitavan is one who is a pOkkiri (bemusing rogue).
He is an enchanter and at the same time is a mischief maker (KuRumbhan).
The Gopis naturally fall for Him head over heels.
He has the red hibiscus (Bandhujeevam) in His hand. Over His ears, He has placed a Laangali flower.
On His tresses are the peacock feathers.
GrAmya bhUshaNams and His kalyANa guNams adorn Him.
MahA Lakshmi resides on His chest in the form of the necklace made of KunRu MaNi seeds.
He steals the hearts of the Gopis with His kithava vEsham. His charm and novel AabharaNams make the Gopis succumb to Him unconditionally.
Kitavan is not a respectable term. Swamy Desikan chooses it as a term of endearment to address his personal God, the Gopika RamaNan, Govindhan.
