254 Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead

The gopis prayed to the demigods to create some natural disturbance,
such as a hurricane, storm or heavy rainfall, so that Krsna could not go to
Mathura. They then began to consider: “Despite our elderly parents and
guardians, we shall personally stop Krsna from going to Mathura. We have
no other alternative than to take this direct action. Everyone has gone
against us to take away Krsna from our sight. Without Him we cannot live
for a moment.” The gopis thus decided to obstruct the passage through
which the chariot of Krsna was supposed to pass. They began to talk
among themselves: ‘‘We have passed a very long night—which seemed only
a moment—engaged in the rasa dance with Krsna. We were looking at His
sweet smile and were embracing and talking. Now, how shall we live even
for a moment if He goes away from us? At the end of the day, in the
evening, along with His elder brother Balarama, Krsna would return
home with His friends. His face would be smeared with the dust raised by
the hooves of the cows, and He would smile and play on His flute and
look upon us so kindly. How shall we be able to forget Him? How shall we
be able to forget Krsna, who is our life and soul? He has already taken away
our hearts in so many ways throughout our days and nights, and if He
goes away, there is no possibility of our continuing to live.” Thinking like
this, the gopis became more and more griefstricken at Krsna’s leaving
Vrndavana. They could not check their minds, and they began to cry
loudly, calling the different names of Krsna, ‘““® dear Damodara! Dear
Madhava!”

The gopis cried all night before the departure of Krsna. As soon as the
sun rose, Akrira finished his morning bath, got on the chariot and began
to start for Mathura with Krsna and Balarama. Nanda Maharaja and the
cowherd men got up on bullock carts, after loading them with milk
preparations, such as yogurt, milk, and ghee, filled in big earthen pots,
and began to follow the chariot of Krsna and Balarama. In spite of Krsna’s
asking them not to obstruct their way, all the gopis surrounded the chariot
and stood up to see Krsna with pitiable eyes. Krsna was very much af-
fected upon seeing the plight of the gopis, but His duty was to start for
Mathura, for this was foretold by Narada. Krsna, therefore, consoled the
gopis. He told them that they should not be aggrieved; He was coming back
very soon after finishing His business. But they could not be persuaded to
disperse. The chariot, however, began to head west, and as it proceeded,
the minds of the gopis followed it as far as possible. They watched the flag
on the chariot as long as it was visible; finally they could only see the dust
of the chariot in the distance. The gopis did not move from their places but
stood until the chariot could not be seen at all. They remained stariding
