144
Krṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead
has taken to Krṣṇa consciousness, desire for family enjoyment gradually dries up.
Because of the appearance of the autumn season, the water of the ocean becomes calm and quiet, just as a person developed in self-realization is no longer disturbed by the three modes of material nature. In autumn, farmers save the water within the fields by building strong walls so that the water contained within the field cannot run out. There is hardly any hope for new rainfalls; therefore they want to save whatever is in the field. Similarly, a person who is actually advanced in self-realization protects his energy by controlling the senses. It is advised that after the age of fifty, one should retire from family life and should conserve the energy of the body for utilization in the advancement of Krṣṇa consciousness. Unless one is able to control the senses and engage them in the transcendental loving service of Mukunda, there is no possibility of salvation.
During the daytime in autumn, the sun is very scorching, but at night, due to the clear moonshine, people get relief from the day's fatigue. If a person takes shelter of Mukunda, or Krṣṇa, he can be saved from the fatigue of misidentifying the body with the self. Mukunda, or Krṣṇa, is also the source of solace to the damsels of Vrṇdāvana. The damsels of Vrajabhūmi are always suffering because of separation from Krṣṇa. When they meet Krṣṇa during the moonlit autumn night, their fatigue of separation is also satiated. When the sky is clear of all clouds, the stars at night shine very beautifully; similarly, when a person is actually situated in Krṣṇa consciousness, he is cleared of all dirty things, and he becomes as beautiful as the stars in the autumn sky. Although the  Vedas  prescribe  karma  in the form of offering sacrifices, their ultimate purpose is stated in the  Bhagavad-gītā : one has to accept Krṣṇa consciousness after thoroughly understanding the purpose of the  Vedas . Therefore the clean heart exhibited by a devotee in Krṣṇa consciousness can be compared to the clean sky of the autumn season. During autumn, the moon looks very bright along with the stars in the clear sky. Lord Krṣṇa Himself appeared in the sky of the Yadu dynasty, and He was exactly like the moon surrounded by the stars, or the members of the Yadu dynasty. When there are ample blooming flowers in the gardens in the forest, the fresh, aromatic breeze gives a great relief to the person who has suffered during the summer and rainy seasons. Unfortunately, such breezes could not give any relief to the  gopīs  because of their hearts' dedication to Krṣṇa. People in general might have taken pleasure in that nice autumn breeze, but the  gopīs , not being embraced by Krṣṇa, were not very satisfied.
On arrival of the autumn season, all the cows, deer, birds and females in