The Rasa Dance: Introduction 195
appears in His spiritual potency. He does not appear under the control of
this material potency. The material potency is under His control. In the
Bhagavad-gita it is stated that the material potency is working under His
superintendence. It is also confirmed in the Brahma-samhita that the
material potency known as Durga is acting just as a shadow which moves
with the movement of the substance. The conclusion is that if one
somehow or other becomes attached to Krsna or attracted to Him, either
because of His beauty, quality, opulence, fame, strength, renunciation or
knowledge, or even through lust, anger or fear, or affection or friendship,
then one’s salvation and freedom from material contamination is assured.

In the Bhagavad-gita, Eighteenth Chapter, the Lord also states that one
who is engaged in preaching Krsna consciousness is very dear to Him. A
preacher has to face many difficulties in his struggle to preach pure Krsna
consciousness. Sometimes he has to suffer bodily injuries, and sometimes
he has to meet death also. All this is taken as a great austerity on behalf of
Krsna. Krsna therefore has said that such a preacher is very, very dear to
Him. If Krsna’s enemies can expect salvation simply by concentrating
their minds on Him, then what to speak of persons who are so dear to
Krsna? The conclusion should be that the salvation of those who are
engaged in preaching Krsna consciousness in the world is guaranteed in all
circumstances. But such preachers never care for salvation, because fac-
tually one who is engaged in Krsna consciousness, devotional service,
has already achieved salvation. Sukadeva Gosvami therefore assured King
Pariksit that he should always rest assured that one attracted by Krsna
attains liberation from material bondage because Krsna is the transcen-
dental master of all mystic power.

When all the gopis assembled, as described, before Krsna, He began to
speak to them, welcoming them as well as discouraging them by word
jugglery. Krsna is the supreme speaker; He is the speaker of the Bhagavad-
gita. He can speak on the highest elevatéd subjects of philosophy, politics,
economics—everything. And He also spoke before the gopis who were so
dear to Him. He wanted to enchant them by word jugglery, and thus He
began to speak as follows.

“O ladies of Vrndavana,” Krsna said. “You are very fortunate, and
you are very dear to Me. I am very pleased that you have come here,
and I hope everything is well in Vrndavana. Now please order Me.
What can I do for you? What is the purpose of coming here in this
dead of night. Kindly take your seats and let Me know what I can do
for you.”

The gopis had come to Krsna to enjoy His company,to dance with Him,
