PLATE EEEVEN

When Krsna walked this earth five thousand years ago, all the resi-
dents of Vrndavana showed the perfect way to love Him. Indeed, they
knew nothing but Krsna. The milkmaids (gopis) especially felt great bliss
when they saw Krsna and His brother, Balarama, entering the Vrndavana
forest in the morning. One gopi would say to another, ‘‘My dear friend,
how is it Krsna and Balarama are looking so beautiful this morning? They
look just like two actors going to play on a stage. I think those who see the
beautiful faces of Krsna and Balarama are certainly fortunate. As these
two sons of King Nanda enter the forest, surrounded by Their friends
and driving the cows before Them, They glance lovingly upon us and the
other residents of Vrndavana. For those who have eyes, we think there is
no greater object of vision.’ But then, fearing Krsna’s imminent ab-
sence, one gopi would say, ‘‘O Krsna, when You go to the forest during
the day and we do not see Your sweet face, which is surrounded by
beautiful curling hair, half a second seems as long as an entire age for us.
Dear Krsna, our life rests only in You. So we are filled with anxiety to
think that sharp stones might injure Your tender feet as You roam about
on the forest path.”’ (pp. 292-302)
