144 Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead
has taken to Krsna 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 Krsna 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. Ifa
person takes shelter of Mukunda, or Krsna, he can be saved from the
fatigue of misidentifying the body with the self. Mukunda, or Krsna, is
also the source of: solace to the damsels of Vrndavana. The damsels of
Vrajabhimi are always suffering because of separation from Krsna. When
they meet Krsna during the moonlit autumn night, their fatigue of separa-
tion 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 Krsna
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-
gita: one has to accept Krsna consciousness after thoroughly understanding
the purpose of the Vedas. Therefore the clean heart exhibited by a devotee
in Krsna 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 Krsna 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 gopis
because of their hearts’ dedication to Krsna. People in general might
have taken pleasure in that nice autumn breeze, but the gopis, not
being embraced by Krsna, were not very satisfied.

On arrival of the autumn season, all the cows, deer, birds and females in
