PLATE ELEVEN
When Kṛṣṇa walked this earth five thousand years ago, all the residents of Vṛndāvana showed the perfect way to love Him. Indeed, they knew nothing but Kṛṣṇa. The milkmaids ( gopīs ) especially felt great bliss when they saw Kṛṣṇa and His brother, Balarāma, entering the Vṛndāvana forest in the morning. One  gopī  would say to another, “My dear friend, how is it Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma are looking so beautiful this morning? They look just like two actors going to play on a stage. I think those who see the beautiful faces of Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma are certainly fortunate. As these two sons of King Nanda enter the forest, surrounded by Their friends and driving the cows before Them, They glance lovingly upon us and the other residents of Vṛndāvana. For those who have eyes, we think there is no greater object of vision.” But then, fearing Kṛṣṇa’s imminent absence, one  gopī  would say, “O Kṛṣṇa, when You go to the forest during the day and we do not see Your sweet face, which is surrounded by beautiful curling hair, half a second seems as long as an entire age for us. Dear Kṛṣṇa, our life rests only in You. So we are filled with anxiety to think that sharp stones might injure Your tender feet as You roam about on the forest path.” ( pp.  292–302)