Delivering the Wives of the Brahmanas 163

she gave up her material body conditioned by the laws of nature.

Sri Govinda, the ever-joyful Personality of Godhead, revealed His tran-
scendental pastimes, appearing just like an ordinary human being, and
enjoyed the food offered by the wives of the brahmanas. In this way, He
attracted common persons to Krsna consciousness. He attracted to His
words and beauty all the cows, cowherd boys and damsels in Vrndavana.

After the return of their wives from Krsna, the brahmanas engaged in
the performance of sacrifices began to regret their sinful activities in
refusing food to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. They could finally
understand their mistake; engaged in the performance of Vedic rituals,
they had neglected the Supreme Personality of Godhead who had appeared
just like an ordinary human being and asked for some food. They began to
condemn themselves after seeing the faith and devotion of their wives.
They regretted very much that, although their wives were elevated to the
platform of pure devotional service, they themselves could not understand
even a little bit of how to love and offer transcendental loving service to
the Supreme Soul. They began to talk among themselves. “To hell with
our being born brahmanas! To hell with our learning all Vedic literatures!
To hell with our performing great sacrifices and observing all the rules and
regulations! To hell with our family! To hell with our expert service in
performingthe rituals exactly to the description of scriptures! To hell with
it all, for we have not developed transcendental loving service to the
Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is beyond the speculation of the
mind, body and senses.”

The learned brahmanas, expert in Vedic ritualistic performances, were
properly regretful, because without developing Krsna consciousness, all
discharge of religious duties is simply a waste of time and energy. They
continued to talk among themselves; “The external energy of Krsna is so
strong that it can create illusion to overcome even the greatest mystic yogi.
Although we expert brahmanas are considered to be the teachers of all other
sections of human society, we also have been illusioned by the external
energy. Just see how fortunate these women are who have so devotedly
dedicated their lives to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna. They
could easily give up their family connection, which is so difficult to do.
Family life is just like a dark well for the continuation of material
miseries.”

Women in general, being very simple in heart, can very easily take to
Krsna consciousness, and when they develop love of Krsna they can easily
set liberation from the clutches of maya, which is very difficult for even
so-called intelligent and learned men to surpass. According to Vedic injunc-
