Akrira’s Return Journey 255

still, as if they were painted pictures. All the gopis decided that Krsna was
not returning immediately, and with greatly disappointed hearts, they
returned to their respective homes. Being greatly disturbed by the absence
of Krsna, they simply thought all day and night about His pastimes and
thus derived some consolation.

The Lord, accompanied by Akrira and Balarama, drove the chariot with
great speed towards the bank of the Yamuna. Simply by taking a bath in
the Yamuna, anyone can diminish the reaction of his sinful activities. Both
Krsna and Balarama took Their baths in the river and washed Their faces.
After drinking the transparent crystal clear water of the Yamuna, They
took Their seats again on the chariot. The chariot was standing underneath
the shade of big trees, and both brothers sat down there. Akrira then took
Their permission to also take bath in the Yamuna. According to Vedic
ritual, after taking bath in the river, one should stand at least half-
submerged and murmur the Gayatri mantra. While he was standing in the
river, Akrira suddenly saw both Balarama and Krsna within the water. He
was surprised to see Them there because he was confident that They were
sitting on the chariot. Confused, he immediately came out of the water
and went to see where the boys were, and he was very surprised to see that
They were sitting on the chariot as before. When he saw Them on the
chariot, he began to wonder whether he saw Them in the water. He there-
fore went back to the river. This time he saw not only Balarama and Krsna
there, but many of the demigods and all the Siddhas, Caranas, and
Gandharvas. They were all standing before the Lord, who was lying down.
He also saw the Sesa Naga with thousands of hoods. Lord Sesa Naga was
covered with bluish garments, and His necks were all white. The white
necks of Sega Naga appeared exactly like snowcapped mountains. On the
curved lap of Sesa Naga, Akriira saw Krsna sitting very soberly, with four
hands. His eyes were like the reddish petals of the lotus flower.

In other words, after returning, Akriira saw Balarama turned into Sesa
Naga and Krsna turned into Maha-Visnu. He saw the fourhanded Supreme
Personality of Godhead, smiling very beautifully. He was very pleasing to
all and was looking towards everyone. He appeared beautiful with His
raised nose, broad forehead, spread-up ears and reddish lips. His arms,
reaching to the knees, were very strongly built. His shoulders were high,
His chest very broad and shaped like the conchshell. His navel was very
deep, and His abdomen was marked with three lines. His waist was broad
and big, resembling the hips of a woman, and His thighs resembled the
trunks of elephants. The other parts of His legs, the joints and lower
extremities, were all very beautiful, the nails of His feet were dazzling,
