PLATE ONE

“One day, Lord Sti Krsna and His cowherd boys and flocks of animals
were present on the pasturing grounds near Mathura. At that time the
cowherd boys, being a little hungry, requested food, and Lord Krsna
asked them to go to the brahmanas who were engaged nearby in per-
forming yajfia, or sacrifice, and to get some food from that yajfia. Being so
ordered by the Lord, the cowherd boys went to the brahmanas and asked
them for food, but they were denied. After this, the cowherd boys
begged food from the wives of the brahmanas. All these wives were very
much devoted to Lord Krsna in spontaneous love, and as soon as they
heard the request of the cowherd boys and understood that Krsna
wanted some food, they immediately left the place of sacrifice. They
were very much chastised for this by their husbands, and they were ready
to give up their lives. It is the nature of a pure devotee to sacrifice his life
for the transcendental loving service of the Lord.” (pp.76-77)
