160 Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead

respectful obeisances, the boys said, “Dear mothers, please accept our
humble obeisances and hear our statement. May we inform you that Lord
Krsna and Balarama are nearby. They have come here with the cows, and
you may know also that we have come here under Their instructions. All
of us are very hungry; therefore, we have come to you for some food.
Please give us something to eat for Krsna, Balarama and ourselves.”

Immediately upon hearing this, the wives of the brahmanas became
anxious for Krsna and Balarama. These reactions were spontaneous. They
did not have to be convinced of the importance of Krsna and Balarama;
immediately upon hearing Their names, they became very anxious to see
Them. Being advanced by thinking of Krsna constantly, they were
performing the greatest form of mystic meditation. All the wives then
became very busily engaged in filling up different pots with nice foodstuff.
Due to the performance of the sacrifice, the various food was all very
palatable. After collecting a feast, they prepared to go to Krsna, their
most lovable object, exactly in the way rivers flow to the sea.

For a long time the wives had been anxious to see Krsna. However,
when they were preparing to leave home to go see Him, their husbands,
fathers, sons and relatives asked them not to go. But the wives did not
comply. When a devotee is called by the attraction of Krsna, he does not
care for bodily ties. The women entered the forest of Vrndavana on the
bank of the Yamuna, which was verdant with vegetation and newly
grown vines and flowers. Within that forest, they saw Krsna and Balarama
engaged in tending the cows, along with Their very affectionate boy
friends.

The brahmanas’ wives saw Krsna putting on a garment glittering like
sold. He wore a nice garland of forest flowers and a peacock feather on
His head. He was also painted with the minerals found in Vrndavana, and
He looked exactly like a dancing actor on a theatrical stage. They saw Him
keeping one hand on the shoulder of His friend, and in His other hand, He
was holding a lotus flower. His ears were decorated with lilies, He wore
marks of tilaka, and He was smiling charmingly. With their very eyes, the
wives of the brahmanas saw the Supreme Personality of Godhead, of
whom they had heard so much, who was so dear to them, and in whom
their minds were always absorbed. Now they saw Him eye to eye and face
to face, and Krsna entered within their hearts through their eyes.

They began to embrace Krsna to their hearts’ content, and the distress
of separation was mitigated immediately. They were just like great sages
who, by their advancement of knowledge, merge into the existence of the
Supreme. As the Supersoul living in everyone’s heart, Lord Krsna could
