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While performing the pastime of stealing the gopis' clothes, Krsna temporarily forgot about tending the cows. As He returned to His friends, Krsna savored bliss within His heart produced by eating the deliciously sweet fruit borne on the creeper of conjugal love. Balarama, the wielder of the plow, and the cowherd boys enthusiastically welcomed Krsna with feelings of joy. They entered the forest to continue their merry making and tending the cows. Krsna glorified Balarama and His intimate friends, "Hey cultured friends! 0 Stoka-Krsna! I am so happy to see you. 0 Amsuman! Even while fighting your body looks beautiful and effulgent. 0 Sridama! You are adorned with the opulent garland of all good fortune. Hey Subala! Your strength is the wealth of your intense love. 0 Arjuna! Your white color is due to the pure fame of your deep love. 0 Visala! The greatness of Your love is always joyfully displayed. 0 Ojasvi! You are elegant due your brilliant strength. 0 Devaprastha! Your form is the crest jewel on the mountain peak of fraternal affection. 0 Varuthapa! Because you have controlled the chariot of your mind, your commands are always obeyed. "Look My friends! Just see the splendorous beauty of the forest grove. The trees look very attractive with their coral-reddish buds enveloped by tender reddish-green leaves. They look just like pairs of embracing lovers. The densely foliated branches of the trees completely cover the sky in all directions. Although many varieties of birds sit on the small branches, they are not bound there. They are independent and beyond the control of Cupid. What to speak of the radiant beauty of Vrndavana's trees, which is beyond the comprehension of the mind and words. Even if one takes birth in the effulgent and worshipable land of Vrndavana as an insignificant plant, he should still be accepted as a saint. "Hunters attain the supreme happiness by using their bows and arrows to spoil the enjoyment of their enemies. Saints find delight within their purified minds and softened hearts. Karmis reap the fruits of their piety to taste the joy of heaven. Ksatriyas take pleasure in killing tigers and taking their skins as spoils. But just from the bark, leaves, or fruit of a tree in Vrndavana one can derive inconceivable happiness. Taking birth as a tree in Vrndavana, therefore, is itself a perfection fulfilling all the needs of the soul." By speaking such matchless, enchanting words, Krsna fulfilled the desires of His friends. Continuing His delightful childhood pastimes, Krsna meandered along behind the cows. Since the cows had eaten a lot of grass, they felt thirsty and walked slowly. Out of affection, Krsna brought them to the Yamuna to drink some water. The tall trees on either side of the sandy path provided soothing shade. Accompanied by Balarama, His gopa friends and cows, Krsna happily approached the River Yamuna. If Krsna and His friends had not appeared on earth, no one would have understood their sweet moods of love. While the cows sipped the crystal clear water, Krsna rested on the root of a tree beside the path. Shining radiantly, Krsna made a plan within His mind to test the loving affection of the chaste wives of theyajnic brahmanas. Playing and roaming through the forest all day with the cows made the boys feel tired and hungry. The drops of perspiration on their weary faces looked like dew drops on wilted lotus flowers. Due to hunger, they looked weak and lusterless. In this distressed condition, the cowherd boys fearlessly appealed to Krsna and Balarama, who were busy relishing the sweet smell of musk that pervaded the air. The boys said, "You are the supreme personalities. 0 Balarama! You are very strong, handsome and radiant. 0 Krsna! Your color resembles a fresh monsoon cloud and You have powerful arms. We are being harassed by hunger and You should do something about it. We feel like the virulent venom of a snake is burning us. Our raging appetites have turned our bellies into pots of burning fire. We cannot find any relief. 0 beloved friends! You two brothers must think how to take away our agony." His heart softened with love, Krsna smiled slightly to reveal His beautiful teeth that are as white as kunda flowers. Then He advised His friends, "0 sakhas, listen! I will help you by telling you how to get relief from your misery. Not far from here are some very powerful and blissful brahmanas who are respected by the best of sages. They are performing the Angirasa sacrifice to gain promotion to heaven. They have attained brilliant fame because of their broad minds and liberal distribution of food. Besides their expertise in Vedic rituals, these grhasta brahmanas can easily dispel anyone's ignorance with their vast knowledge. Now quickly go offer obeisances to them, address them respectfully, and lovingly beg some foodstuffs in our names." Being ordered by Krsna, the pious, softhearted cowherd boys expertly and joyfully made their way to the yajna sola (sacrificial arena). Even though they were tired, the boys eagerly went to beg from the brahmanas. Upon entering the yajna sola, they enjoyed seeing the sacrificial fire and "^ dense clouds of smoke. The smell of burning ghee gratified their noses, ^d the warm air soothed their sense of touch. Hearing the brahmanas' Melodious singing of the Sama Veda delighted their ears. The thought that they would soon receive some tasty foodstuffs to offer to Krsna made their tongues salivate in anticipation. Thus the cowherd boys gratified their senses at the gorgeously decorated yajna sola. As Ramacandra, the Lord of the Raghu dynasty, is called the "Treta-yuga avataram" because He appeared in Treta-yuga, similarly, this yajna sala is also treta-yuga avataram because it has three types of fires (ahavanya, daksina-agni, and gharapatyd). As the city of Ayodhya is visarayuparam, or beside the flowing waters of the famous River Sarayu, similarly, this sac-i rificial fire is visarayuparam, always receiving a constant supply of wood. ;< As King Bhagiratha is samunnita pragvamshan, the deliverer of His an-; cestors, similarly, this yajna is samunnita pragvamshan or situated on the eastern side of the house. Its presence beautifies the homes of the i brahmanas' patrons. A brahmana boy who has not completed his brahmacari life is samekhala kundalamsam, or handsome with his waist-belt and ropes made from munja grass draped over his shoulder. Similarly, this yajnic sala is samekhala kundalamsam, embellished with different raised seats placed around the fire pits. As the heart of one relishing rasas becomes sampumam pravista, full by entering the ocean ofbhakti-rasa, similarly, the yajna sala is pravista rasa sampumam, complete by its abundance of kusa grass. As a house has a kitchen full of cooking pots (prajyathalikam) to serve its guests, similarly, this yajna sala is full of pots (prajyathalikam) of pure ghee and water. As a separated lover's eyes always glisten with tears, similarly, this yajna sala always shines with flames. During the rainy season rivulets swell with water, vishalpuma patram, and make the middle of the river very deep. Similarly, in the middle the yajna sala there are vishal puma patram, deep pots full of foodstuffs. Clubs (musalam or ulukhala) are used to chastise a gentle saintly person in the royal assembly of an evil king. Similarly, this yajna sala has a mortar and pestle (musalam and ulukhala) for grinding the spices and ingredients used in the sacrifice. Ksatriyas are expert in using their hands for fighting (samit kushalam). Similarly, this yajna sala also has kusa grass and wood called samit kushalam. As Mahesa is sahom, always associated with his consort Uma, similarly, this yajna sala is sahom, always full of many oblations. Inside the yajna sala the cowherd boys saw many yajnic brahmanas chanting hymns from the Sama Veda. Similarly, of the four ways to control somebody one is called sama (appeasement or making friends). As one enjoys embracing his lover to his chest, similarly, hearing the precise enunciation of the hymns pleased everyone's heart. Just as sages have beautiful locks of matted hair (sujatakam), similarly' the hymns chanted by the brahmanas contained many sweet tune (sujatakam). The breasts of young ladies appear firm and beautiful. (susarnhitam). Similarly, the brahmanas' singing sounded like a tightly composed display (susamhitam) of beautiful poetry. \Vhat kind of yajnic brahmanas were they? As a worshiper is well versed in acting according to the proper time (samay samayajnaih), similarly, these brahmanas performed the yajnas exactly at the auspicious time (samay samayajnaih) of morning and evening. Ksatriyas attain the wealth of victory in battle by repeatedly using their bows. Similarly, the brahmanas have become wealthy by constantly doing yajnas. After examining the yajna sala the cowherd boys walked slowly forward. Although they smelled the sweet aroma of the sacrificial fire, their stomachs remained empty and dissatisfied. Their bangles and ankle-bells jingled sweetly as they bowed respectfully on the ground before the brahmanas. Even the king of heaven esteemed these austere and renowned brahmanas, who always received the seat of honor at any festival. As personifications of Vedic knowledge, they exhibited extreme gravity, yet they had deep personal feelings. In deep rumbling voices the cowherd boys addressed the brahmanas, "0 worshipable and cultured ones! Please listen to us. We are friends of Balarama and Damodara coming here as your guests. Balarama, the embodiment of all wonderful transcendental qualities, is just nearby talking with His younger brother. They sent us to you because you are well-wishers of everyone. You may ask why Krsna did not come with us. The answer is that Krsna is fixed in His position just like the immovable Mount Sumeru. "As oceans of compassion, you brahmanas benefit all living entities. You always perform pious activities like digging wells, establishing parks and gardens, and making attractive walkways. Being dear to everyone, you satisfy all living entities by giving them the thing they cherish, namely food. You have become effulgent due to your fame. "You are charitable and fixed in Brahman. Since we left home early this morning we have not eaten anything or taken any rest. We are very tired and hungry from roaming all over with the cows. Balarama and Damodara also feel distressed. Although They tolerated it for a short time, now They are anxious to eat something. Therefore, They sent us to you to beg some food because you are the maintainers ofgrhasta dhanna. So please make arrangements to affectionately provide us with plenty of food." Although hearing the boys, those sober brahmanas remained silent just like deaf men. Understanding that the brahmanas felt no obligation to give them charity, the boys became morose. They thought that the brahmanas were treating them like hard-hearted, invalid old men. Though wise and learned in yajnas, why did the brahmanas ignore the humble request of the cowherd boys? Perhaps, it was not their habit to entertain the requests of young children. Maybe they disregarded the boys' due to their attachment to sacrificing animals, or due to enmity, foolishness, or| insufficient piety, or because they had not received any mercy from the Lord. The boys' faces turned pale from disappointment. Lamenting over their| failure, they unhappily returned to Krsna. Upon noticing their condition, Krsna remained equipoised and displayed a mild smile on His peaceful lotus face. The faces of the boys, however, conveyed frustration in their begging attempt. At that time, Krsna thought, "Those yajnic brahmanas are not actually charitable towards others. They simply make a big show with their elaborate fire sacrifices. It seems that their charity does not extend beyond the limits of their own bellies." Although mentally disturbed, the cowherd boys tried to explain the situation to Balarama. They said, "0 Rama! We have never seen such harshness as we saw today in the eyes of those brahmanas. They are yajnic brahmanas in name only. Actually they are first-class fools because they do not know the real purport of the Vedas. "Mentioning Your names we begged foodstuffs which are pleasing to the soul. What to speak of giving charity, they did not even answer us, which is the minimum response enjoined in the Vedas. But in their homes we saw and heard them saying so many things such as...'Cook this, fry that, let us drink, eat, come, go outside, take this away...' We saw those brahmanas, the crest-jewels among the jnanis, busily engaged inside their houses eating palatable foods. "Outside their houses many thousands of people milled about. Being angry, we did not bother to go there. Seeing the quality of generosity being so dishonored in the hands of the brahmanas, we did not want to stay there for a moment. By going to them we received nothing more than utter humiliation, whereas they enhanced their family prestige by performing a huge yajna. "0 Krsna, our dear friend! We brought back nothing but the smoke that we momentarily inhaled at the fire sacrifice. Like the Vedic injunctions, all of Your instructions are held as crest-jewels on our heads. Just as nectar never turns salty, how is it that Your infallible words put us into such embarrassment? " Krsna smiled mildly and spoke some sweet pleasing words mixed with cleverness, "0 you boys! Why are you affected by false anger? You should not have such a defiant antagonistic mood like a newly married woman. It is natural that your minds are disturbed because selfish people like those brahmanas always cause suffering to others. Finding the faults in others is the habit of common people, but you should not see like this. Being preoccupied with iheyajna, the brahmanas obviously could not attend to you. Listen carefully! You should follow My perfect advice and achieve the desired result. "The wives of the brahmanas are also present in the yajna sala. But they are embodiments of kindness, compassion, and purity. They possess the wealth of having completely surrendered their minds to Me. Although they are women, they do not take pride in turning beggars away from their doors. These women do not see anything unfavorable for My service. They immediately feel ecstatic upon hearing My name and viewing My transcendental form. They will happily give you plenty of food to remove your hunger. Besides being adorned in golden ornaments, the wives of the brahmanas regularly receive and willingly distribute gold in charity. Although they are brahmanas' wives, instead of sitting on the ground like ordinary women, they sit on golden thrones like queens with their bodies radiating a splendid luster. "Feeling gladness within your hearts, go to their private quarters. In My name ask for abundant foodstuffs which will bring you all satisfaction. The wives of the brahmanas, who are just like desire trees, will definitely gratify your cherished desires. 0 My friends! Taking My words as a Vedic injunction, which is dear to you and to them, go there again and beg for food." Being inspired by Krsna's powerful presentation, the gopas left the garden full of fresh creepers. Riding the waves of pleasure, they quickly returned to the yajna sala. In a submissive mood, they approached the private chambers of the wives of the hard-hearted brahmanas. Just as lightning spreads throughout the sky and earth, similarly, the boys saw the brahmanas'wives fully ornamented with the effulgent wealth of prestige. As the lightning and rain in sravana month become separated from the clouds, similarly, the brahmanas' wives had given up sense enjoyment due to separation from Krsna. Although lightning flashes out of a cloud in a harsh way, the brahmanas' wives appeared softhearted. Lightning flashes brilliantly for a moment, and is then detached from the body of the cloud. But the bodies of the brahmanas' wives always emitted an attractive radiance. As lotuses grow in the water on straight stems, similarly, the wives of fte brahmanas spoke in a straightforward way. The wives of the brahmanas resembled golden creepers of flowing beauty moving here and there. But ro separation from Krsna they could not find any pleasure. Even without "ie night, they exhibited effulgences rivaling the glowing full moon. In we absence of Krsna, however, they always felt unhappy. The yajna patnis (wives of the brahmanas) existed like the personified "ames of a fire. Their saintly qualities derided the fame of Arundhati (the chaste wife of Brahmarsi Vasisthadeva). Somehow they maintaine a joyful state by the strength of their affection for Krsna, which acted like! a celestial herbal medicine to sustain them, and burned like the steady flame of an oil lamp. During any ceremony these beautiful brahmana ladies always behaved perfectly according to time and place. They displayed the limit of worldly conduct by welcoming their guests with sweet words and serving them first-class food. Due to their love for the Lord they knew how to act properly in all circumstances. As vines of parental affection, they could not ignore the pleas of hungry children. Tolerating the shouts of their angry husbands, they appeared as the embodiments of forgiveness on the earth. Each one of them exhibited many attractive qualities such as purity of purpose and absolute dedication to the Lord. Their wealth surpassed even that of the heavenly king Indra who protects others with his thunderbolt. Upon seeing the yajna patnis, the boys immediately said, "0 magnanimous wives of the greatest brahmanas, We offer our obeisances to your pinkish lotus feet that are the source of generosity and happiness. We are close friends of Krsna, the personification of all knowledge. Please listen to our humble appeal." That one utterance of Krsna's name resonated within the ears of the brahmanas' wives millions of times over. Startled and astounded, they forgot everything and exclaimed, "What kind of enchanting mantra is this?" Just as a she deer becomes helplessly attracted by the sweet flute melodies of a hunter, similarly, the yajna patnis swooned in ecstasy upon hearing the sound of Krsna's name. The pure-hearted wives of the brahmanas, who appeared on the earth like the predominating deities of the Upanisads, stopped cooking and looked respectfully at the cowherd boys while fixing their minds in meditation. Inspired by Krsna's reassuring words, the boys smiled pleasantly and completed their request to the ladies. "0 wives of the brahmanas'. We are very hungry! We did not take any breakfast and have been playing all day. The prince of Vrndavana, who is the reigning Cupid of this world and the object of your worship, sent us to beg food. Krsna is waiting nearby with His elder brother Balarama, who always showers Krsna with joy and shines with the power of King Indra. "Our dear friend Krsna is known throughout the world. Surely, you must have heard about Him from the lips of the great devotees. Even as a baby He made the cruel witch Putana famous by giving her the post of His nurse. As a small boy He pushed the terrible Trnavarta demon into the earth, and turned Bakasura into an ugly corpse. He vanquished the venomous serpent Aghasura and banished Kaliya from the Yamuna. Wha more can we say about His fantastic exploits? The glories of all the demons and devotees in the entire material manifestation cannot compare with a drop in the ocean of Krsna's unlimited nectarean glories." Upon hearing these words, the hearts of the ladies immediately melted in ecstatic love. They felt that the great treasure of Krsna's form, which is a constant flow of beautiful nectar appearing as inconceivable eternal existence, had suddenly manifested before them. The thought of directly meeting Krsna stole the chariots of their minds. Somehow or other the eternal perfection that they desired for so long was now appearing before them. Drowning in an ocean of bliss, their eyes flooded with tears and their tender creeper-like bodies erupted in blissful bumps. Their senses went numb and stopped working. The transformation infused them with new life. This newly acquired good fortune enhanced their beauty. Their bodies displayed a splendid elegance as the intensity of their desire to meet their beloved increased more and more. Nourished by such hankering, the eyes of the yajna patnis filled with the form of Krsna. Seeing their increasingly ecstatic condition, the cowherd boys felt perplexed. While looking at each other with astonishment they said, "Upon hearing our appeal these respectable ladies went inad with the desire to see Krsna. Their actions are very strange. They are not moving, speaking, or looking at anything. Alas! Has some evil planet mesmerized them? "It is not surprising that the brahmanas treated us rudely and totally! ignored us. They did not even acknowledge our arrival or give us anything. But we are amazed that their lotus-eyed wives failed to give us anything, even after attentively hearing our request and showing us so much loving affection and intention to serve. , "Who can understand the mentality of the yajna patnisi How did their behavior change so radically? Something created a sweet mellow within their minds and made them ecstatic. That transformation could neither remove the cause nor remove the effect." While the humble cowherd boys talked in this way, the wives of the brahmanas, although failing to respond verbally, went directly into their huge kitchens, which were thoroughly stocked by their maidservants. On a large plate they expertly piled up rice, vegetables, and other delicious food which represented their loving desire to please Krsna. The delecious items included creamy cakes, sweet breads, chapatis, yogurt, and a complete array of delicacies to lick, chew, drink, and suck. They lovingly prepared foods of all the six tastes. Just as the caves (kandar) and gentle wind blowing on Govardhana Hill serve the Lord, similarly, they collected many kinds of root vegetables (kanda) to please the Lord. Before offering them, they artistically arranged all the fragrant, juicy, delicious, and colorful preparations. Just as a woman beautifies herself by wearing golden ornaments, similarly, the varieties of attractive vegetables like sak and sukta embellished the offering. As the minds of the yajna patnis enriched with spontaneous bliss, similarly, the opulence of the offering increased by adding first class dais and soups. As a divine weapon released in a battle is invincible, similarly, the different varieties of cooked spinach acquired undefeatable tastes and qualities. The ladies scented the offering with their pure desire to prepare everything with love and devotion. Just as the Ganges looks beautiful flowing past Kasi, similarly, the wonderful varieties of food looked very attractive. According to their hearts' desires, the yajna patnis put these foods in golden pots with crystal lids. The pots glittered attractively from the different objects reflected on their crystal lids. The ladies covered the pots with fine white cloth. Ignoring the many people milling about the sacrificial arena, they held the pots on their upraised lotus palms and walked out. Those best of ladies appeared like many-branched desire trees moving on the earth to satisfy the needy. While walking along they communicated with each other through eye movements, and occasionally turned their lotus faces towards Krsna's friends. The submissive cowherd boys ran ahead showing the way to Krsna. Feeling ecstatic, the cowherd boys spoke in soft joyful voices to indicate the proper direction. The ladies looked like beautiful lotus flowers wandering over the earth. By carrying pots of food in their lotus palms they became as fortunate as the gopis who always associate with Krsna. Refulgent as golden lotuses, the yajna patnis held the pots and walked with the grandeur of a band of she-elephants. The weight of their excessive love for Krsna appeared like a heavy jeweled necklace in their hearts. Anxiety filled their minds. Due to the heavy weight of their pots, full breasts and hips, the ladies proceeded slowly and steadily toward the Lord of their hearts. Though walking was painful, because they were surrendered souls they felt no inconvenience while going to Krsna. Due to conflicting moods of transcendental ecstasy, they sometimes ran toward their beloved or stumbled and progressed very slowly. The soft jingling of their waist-bells and the "runu jhunu! runu jhunuf" sound of their ankle-bells vibrated sweetly as they moved. After going a short distance they saw the plants and creepers of Vraja bending down in a humble, blissful way. From this they assumed that Krsna, the ocean of all transcendental qualities, must be near by. They went mad due to their intense love for the Lord. Suddenly they saw an effulgence more beautiful than a dense ram cloud a mound of kajala, and a bouquet of blue lotus flowers combined. And upon meeting their faces, Krsna's effulgence turned into kajala surrounding their eyes and reflecting on their hair parts. Touching their necks, His effulgence embraced them as a garland of blue lotus flowers. Krsna's effulgence turned into tamala flowers to wrap around their ears. When grsna's effulgence touched their breasts, it rested there as a necklace of blue sapphires. Illuminating their bodies, Krsna covered them with the blue dress of His effulgence. With unblinking eyes the wives of the brahmanas beheld their beloved Syama before them. Resting His left arm on Subala's shoulder, Krsna looked like a wave in an unlimited ocean of beauty. He playfully twirled a lotus flower in His right hand, while simultaneously spinning the minds of the ladies with loving agitation. He wore a peacock feather on His turban, golden yellow cloth around His body, and a garland of forest flowers and leaves hung from His neck. Sandalwood paste and colored minerals adorned His transcendental body. Krsna released a shower of nectar with His attractive bright smile that was more splendorous than the moonshine. Like someone greeting a desirable guest, the ladies opened the doors of their eyes in ecstasy and welcomed Syamasundara into their hearts. Although Krsna appeared like a prankish paramour lover, His frivolous behavior charmed their hearts. The ladies considered, "Is He a dramatic dancer about to enact a wonderful pastime? Is He Cupid personified, or is He the embodiment of conjugal love? Is He the personified bliss of love? Is He the very form of pleasurable pastimes?" All these questions raced through the excited minds of the yajna patnis. Due to absorption in thoughts of Krsna, they acted boldly, free from doubts and hesitation. Conquered by love, they lost control of their minds while tasting the mellow of their relationship with the Lord. Having taken complete control of their senses, Krsna entered their hearts, came outside, and again reentered their hearts. During this experience the yajna patnis thought, "How amazing! Our beloved Syamasundara is standing before us and simultaneously standing 'n our hearts!" In such a bewildered state the ladies saw Krsna inside their hearts when they closed their eyes, and upon opening their eyes, they saw their beloved before them. Although satisfied to see Krsna within their hearts, they moved closer to Him upon opening their eyes. The wives looked very beautiful holding the offerings of food in their attractive, lotus bud-like hands. Just as a desire tree fulfills the heart's desires, similarly, Krsna felt satisfied seeing the beautiful bodies of the ladies which appeared like glittering vines growing in a celestial pleasure garden. Krsna joyfully addressed those doe-eyed ladies, "Aho My dear ones! Did you suffer any inconvenience in coming here? 0 fortunate ladies! Please sit down and make yourselves comfortable. I can see you have great love for Me because you have personally brought Me foodstuffs. There is no way I can repay you for your wonderful service. May you find complete satisfaction in your love for Me and thus relieve Me of My debt to you." Krsna's sweet, deep voice sounded like rumbling clouds. He soothed the ears of the yajna patnis with His love-soaked, distinctly pronounced words, which were sweeter than the drops of nectar falling from the autumn moon. The wives of the brahmanas thought they had attained the pinnacle of fortune just by hearing Him. Taking Krsna through the aperture of their lotus eyes, they embraced Him within their hearts. Melting in rapturous joy, they relinquished all fears and anxieties. With their creeper-like hands those fortunate ladies offered the fragrant flowers of their affection to worship their beloved. Krsna enchanted the minds of the brahmanas' wives by saturating them with spiritual bliss. And He completely removed the painful fire of separation. Krsna continued speaking, "You should return to your husbands and finish the sacrifice. I am pleased by persons who worship Me in My form as the enjoyer of sacrifices." Although Krsna's splendid face glowed like the full moon, instead of pouring out heavenly nectar, He delivered bitter poison in the form of unpalatable words. The frustration of the brahmanas' wives long-awaited desires drained all the color from their bodies. Their minds had become fully attached to Krsna by repeatedly hearing about Him from the lips of the Vrajavasis. Upon their arrival and initial meeting with Krsna, He encouraged their blossoming desires by saying, "Come and sit down." Then a few minutes later He destroyed the flourishing creeper of their desires and made them miserable. Their faces turned pale and cheerless. Due to being completely ignored, an unbearable pain supplanted the joy they previously felt. Their hearts severely hurt, tears gushed out of their closed eyes. Just as a demigoddess does not cast a shadow, similarly, these grief-stricken ladies no longer flashed their brilliant effulgences. Just as the light in an oil lamp diminishes with the exhaustion of fuel, similarly, the natural glow of the brahmana ladies eventually decreased to nil. Giving up their shyness, the wives appealed to Krsna with choked voices. "0 almighty one, You are the dearest one to all living entities. Please do not speak such cruel words that pierce the core of our hearts like a thunderbolt. Please listen attentively, and do not deprive us the pleasure o seeing You. For if You do, we will surely die. "How could such a thing happen? Alas! Does a river rushing out to a mountain peak turn back and take shelter inside the mountain? Of course not, rather, it flows naturally to the ocean, which remains neutral and unaffected. You are everything for those who have nothing in this world. 0 Murari! We have no one else in this world but You. Therefore, we can no longer find any pleasure in returning home. In dense darkness one may make a mistake and go in the wrong direction. But by the power of his piety he may come to the right path. Similarly, if without any endeavor a blind man attains divine vision, he will not reject that fortune. "Alas! No doubt You are learned in ethics and morality. But these words of Yours are devoid of love and affection. Until now we have maintained our lives solely by hearing Your name and fame. You emanate the beauty, splendor, and sweetness of a thousand Cupids, but where is Your sweetness ^now? 0 Damodara! Although You are proud, please listen to us for a few moments. You have promised to never reject anyone who serves You and once says, '0 Lord! From today on I am Yours.' Now please keep Your promise. We have given up the dark cave of household life,; which is nothing but a bitter path full of the thorns of hard work. Now please accept us as Your maidservants. "Our husbands, fathers, sons, brothers, relatives, and friends will no longer take us back. They will reject us and laugh at us. Even the sinful people will criticize us. But despite all of this, we offer our bodies in the service of Your lotus feet. Therefore, 0 Lord! We humbly beg You to please show us Your compassion! Please take control of the chariots of our minds and quickly grant our cherished desire. 0 compassionate one! We are fully surrendered souls, so please accept us. Intoxicate us with the shower of Your nectarean association. On our heads and breasts we respectfully hold the fragrant flowers which You neglectfully kick away with Your lotus feet." Until now the yajna patnis had carefully concealed their love for Krsna within their hearts. Now their bodies, covered with bumps of ecstatic delight, clearly revealed their intense attachment to the Lord. The face of Damodara gleamed attractively like the soothing rays of the full moon, His leaf-like lips bathed in a sweet smile, and His white teeth shone with a slightly reddish hue resembling pomegranate seeds. After hearing the pleasing prayers of the yajna patnis, Krsna said, "Listen attentively as I fill your ears with the truth. Such stubborn behavior does not befit you. You should understand that a self-controlled person who surrenders to the scriptures and hears about Me, chants My name and glories, and meditates on My form can very easily bring Me under his control. Such perfection is not achieved by physical proximity to Me. 0 upholders of truth! Please, therefore, return to your homes and meditate on Me. By this practice you will get free from material bondage and attain Me, the friend and Lord of all creation. "Actually in this birth as the wives of brahmanas it will not be beneficial for you to physically associate with Me, a member of the vaisya community. It will be better for you to think of Me within Your minds. I will also think of you and firmly embrace you there. Please go home and do not be in anxiety about your relatives. Do not worry! Your husbands will not be inimical toward you. Indeed, your husbands, children, and relatives are dear to you because I am residing within them in My expanded form as the Paramatma. Only one who has been rejected by Me will be envious of a person who has offered his heart to Me, the form of the Absolute Truth." The ladies drank the nectar of Krsna's words with the cups of their ears. In this way, Krsna showed His expertise in presenting arguments from different points of view. 'Theyajnapatnis appreciated His reasonable words and felt great joy within their hearts. Seeing this as Krsna's mercy, they fixed their minds on Him and eagerly took His handsome form into their hearts. Driven by Cupid, they disregarded Krsna's contradictory behavior and relished the splendid beauty of His wonderful transcendental form. Though perspiring and shedding tears of joy, the doe-eyed ladies somehow managed to return home. One of the wives of the brahmanas, though forcefully kept home by her angry husband, entered a state of ecstasy upon hearing descriptions of Krsna's beauty from the cowherd boys. Not caring for the poisonous words of her crazy husband, she absorbed herself in a loving meditation on Krsna. Then she lost external consciousness and saw Krsna manifest before her saying, "Give up everything and come live with Me in Vrndavana." After receiving this order she prepared herself to meet Krsna. Just as one planning to visit a foreign country waits for an auspicious time, similarly, she took this as the ideal time to satisfy her desire to enjoy with Krsna in the groves of Vrndavana. On account of her complete attachment to Krsna and because of having seen Him once in meditation, she adopted the principle of rejecting a lower thing for a higher thing. Therefore, she abandoned her mood of identifying as the wife of a brahmana. It is not very surprising then that she gave up her material body. Within a moment she obtained a spiritual body and enjoyed blissful pastimes with Krsna. Attaining the direct association of Krsna naturally fills one with inconceivable delight. Her intense love for the Lord forced her to reject the control of her husband and submit herself to Krsna. No obstacle could diminish her ever-increasing love for Krsna. Although one may use his fingernails to break off a small piece from a tender creeper, that piece will-continue to live and later sprout again. Similarly, it appeared that the brahmana's wife perished with the demise of her material body, but actually she continued to exist in her spiritual body. She continued living at home in a spiritual body just suitable for pleasing the Lord. After sometime she got the association of Krsna's intimate Vraja gopis who taught her exactly how to act to satisfy Krsna. Thus she qualified to obtain His blissful association in the coming days. By repeatedly studying Krsna's transcendental qualities she overcame all impediments. As the ocean waves continually break on the beach, the desire to see Krsna constantly moved in her heart. By the strength of her bhajana she cut her bondage to maya and developed intense yearning to attain Krsna. At this stage of Krsna consciousness. She considered her husband and family to be no more important than straw in the street. A moment later she left her body. This amazing act eclipsed the fame of even the greatest yogi who by deep concentration leaves his body at his own will. Taking note of her pure devotion for Krsna, the yajnic brahmanas, who were acaryas of Vedic wisdom, felt sorrowful and condemned themselves. They said, "Alas! To hell with our lives since we have no love for Krsna; to hell with our expertise in the rituals of sacrifice, our charitable acts, and our extensive learning; to hell with our abilities, intelligence, self-realization, and aristocratic background; to hell with our asanas, meditation and concentration; and to hell with our knowledge of tantra and mantra. "Aho! Although our wives have never done japa, studied the Vedas, undergone the purificatory rites, followed the formalities of cleanliness or engaged in pious rituals, just see the pure love they have for Krsna. They never studied nor meditated on the nature of the self. They merely heard the transcendental glories of Lord Hari from the lips of pure devotees. But just see the intensify of their love for Krsna that inspired them to act so wonderfully. "We have never seen all these incredible feelings before. Giving up all shame, our wives ignored their kinsmen and acted frivolously. Overwhelmed by the order of Krsna, they considered the requests of their husbands and relatives no more than straw." Commenting on the lady who left her body in anxiety to meet Krsna, the brahmanas said, "What can we say about this? Only after many lifetimes of severe austerities can a perfect yogi leave his body at will by controlling his life airs and raising the atma through the six cakras. Yet in order to see her beloved Lord, this lady surmounted all obstacles and attained a position rarely achieved by the greatest yogisi Who can understand the nature of Krsna premal "What can we say about our cruel treatment of our wives? Although we have heard so many things, we paid no attention to their devotion to Krsna, or to their requests for articles to offer Him. Even though we are supposed to be intelligent, it seems the same Lord covered us with illusion in order to shower mercy upon our wives." Though ornamented with Vedic knowledge, the brahmanas lamented deeply and fell speechless. Renouncing their pride they sat down on the ground. When their wives returned the brahmanas could understand that Krsna's association had transformed them. Their wives displayed all auspicious qualities now that their hearts were saturated with divine love. The ladies were filled up to the necks with the unlimited beauty of Krsna and they cried tears of joy. Enchanted by Krsna's delightful character, their hearts surged with continuous bliss. They existed in a transcendental realm far beyond any amount of piety and knowledge. Seeing that their wives had become liberated souls, those effulgent, broad-minded brahmanas smiled happily. They showed more respect to their wives than ever before. Now the brahmanas honored their wives more than they did the sastras, gurus, and other exalted brahmanas. It is not surprising that they stood up and greeted their wives with great affection. Indeed, anyone who sees someone who is deeply in love with Krsna will also develop affection for Krsna. The yajna patnis who had seen Krsna praised their friend who gave up her body because she could not go out. One lady said, "No one in the world surpasses her fortune. Not only in this birth, but in all her previous auspicious births she must have enjoyed intimate pastimes with Krsna." After saying this, the wives of the brahmanas showed indifference toward their husbands. It is Krsna's nature to reciprocate with His devotees according to their moods of love. Krsna, who is expert and softhearted, fulfilled the desire of the lady who gave up her body by submerging her in an unlimited river of love. He gave her the association of His dearest gopis who always enjoy ecstatic pastimes with Him. The gopis embraced her, asked about her welfare, and taught her the art of pleasing Krsna. Radiant with pure love, she quickly attained the qualification to associate intimately with Krsna. Krsna was very happy to see this. Meanwhile, Krsna, Balarama, and Their cowherd boyfriends sat down to relish the feast offered by the brahmanas' wives. Krsna always enjoys eating food that is nicely prepared and artistically displayed. The delicious foodstuffs were prepared purely by the yajna patnis, and flavored with the nectar of their deep love for Krsna. After finishing His meal Krsna joked with His friends and drove the cows home. Krsna played His charming murali in order to extinguish the fire of separation within the hearts of the Vraja gopis who were waiting all day for His return. Hearing that melodious flute, the trees, plants, creepers, and all the directions became enlivened and beautiful. Tasting the sweet nectar of Krsna's enchanting murali entrapped the birds, she-deer, and animals. Keeping His brother Balarama in front, Krsna, the embodiment of blissful prema, walked into Vrndavana surrounded by His friends. The lotus face of Krsna looked extremely beautiful framed by His dark blue locks of hair, and covered by a thick layer of dust from the feet of the cows. The slightly tilted turban on His head looked gorgeous with its artistic ornament of hanging red asoka flowers. The restless movements of Krsna's splendid makara earrings and the blue lotus flower resting on His ear further increased His elegance. The pollen falling from that flower mixed with the drops of Krsna's perspiration to enhance the gentle radiance of His cheeks. As Krsna moved slowly along the path, His beautiful ankle-bells jingled sweet melodies. The sweet, drawn-out tunes of His murali filled the ears and minds of everyone with delight. As the evening approached, the gopis spoke incessantly about Krsna. Upon hearing the bellowing of the returning cows, the talks of the gopis reached a climax of excitement. Seeing their excessive craving to meet Krsna, the flute sound came as a thief to steal the jewel-like hearts of the doe-eyed ones. The faces of the gopis looked like a cluster of fresh white lotuses opening under the cool rays of the full moon. Watching the last dim rays of the setting sun, the gopis merged in a state of wondrous joy. They cast away their shyness, knowing that they would soon satisfy their desire to meet the moon of Gokula. In their anxiety to see Krsna they felt a moment to be a millenium. The pure love of the fortunate gopis surpassed all mental speculation. During the time of sunset while the stars were still hidden behind the curtain of dusk, the gopis ascended the palace rooftops to drink the nectar from Krsna's lotus face as He came back with the cows. Standing on the rooftops, the glittering bodies of the gopis appeared like a row of stars rising over the horizon. Their exquisite beauty shone like a flag of the wealth of good fortune. The dancing of their creeper-like eyebrows spread a dark hue over the palaces. The Yamuna River held garlands to offer to Krsna in the form of her waves. The restless glances of the gopis filled the sky with alternating colors of blue and pink. Their open eyes splashed blue in all directions. And the constant blinking of their eyes covered the evening sky with a pinkish hue. It appeared as if the sky was painted with alternating clusters of blue and pink lotus flowers. The brilliance of their teeth beautified their faces when they yawned. Aglow with perfect health, the gopis looked like lakes full of blossoming lotuses. Krsna's face seemed to be a sleep-less moon. Seeing the fickle movements of the gopis' eyebrows, Krsna understood they were waging a war in their minds with that clever enchanter named Cupid. Due to her constant loving ecstasy, one gopi felt confident of being favored by a festival that night. Overwhelmed with her cherished desire, she suddenly saw Krsna gazing directly at her. Electrified with the thought that Krsna might come to her house, that gopi joyfully glanced toward the faces of her friends. Holding an expensive pearl necklace in her joined palms, one anxious and distressed gopi said, "0 Kundalata! I am dying! But just nearby Krsna is walking with the grace of a regal elephant. Please give Him this pearl necklace before He runs off to enjoy pastimes in another gopi's house. I will be forever indebted to you if you do this." Another gopi said, "Hey sakhi. What can the harsh words of our superiors do to us? Why should we allow modesty to restrict us? Forgetting our fears and anxieties, let us drown in the ocean of bliss by embracing that handsome youth. With the tender creepers of our arms we will wrap ourselves tightly around that charming blue desire tree. 0 sakhi. Indeed, this is an auspicious moment. So let us go to the house of the king of Vrndavana." Thus the gopis talked about Krsna's all-attractive transcendental body. Just like great mystic yogis, the gopis withdrew their senses and completely absorbed themselves in Krsna's delightful form. Anxious to drink the nectar from their golden lotus faces, Krsna looked lovingly at the gopis. As if directly enjoying, they embraced each other within their minds through the touch of their eyes. The gopis offered their glances, laden with the concentrated nectar of their affection, as gifts for Syamasundara's pleasure. Krsna gladly accepted these gifts as He proceeded into Vrndavana. Feeling momentarily pacified by this, the gopis responded with joyful smiles. Krsna strolled down the road surrounded by His dearest boyfriends. With great anticipation He repeatedly said, "When will I see My beloved smiling at Me and casting sidelong glances?" By stating this Krsna revealed His cherished desire upon entering His home. Since conjugal love for Krsna eternally resided within their hearts, the gopis had already realized the perfection of knowledge. Simply by beholding the sweetness of Krsna, their minds thrilled in jubilation and their bodies displayed bumps of delight. Like two clouds of nectar, Damodara and Balarama poured liquid bliss into the eyes of their parents. The magnificent beauty of these two boys, which is the very essence of sweetness, gave Their parents limitless happiness. Using warm water and a soft cloth, Yasoda and Rohini joyfully washed the dust from the bodies of their sons. Krsna and Balarama appeared liks a pair of elephant cubs being bathed in a river by their affectionate mothers. After bathing They looked clean and elegant. Then Their servants dressed Them in auspicious garments, applied aromatic oils, and adorned Their bodies with attractive ornaments. After eating some delicious foods, Damodara and Balarama took rest on two opulent beds. These two brothers appeared like two beautiful moons moving on the earth. Thus ends the thirteenth chapter of Ananda Vrndavana Campu, which describes Krsna's favoring the wives of the brahmanas during His pastimes of youth.