Canto Ten - Chapter 19

Śrī Śuka said: While the cowherd boys were absorbed in play, their far-roaming cows grazed freely and, lured by grass, entered a dense thicket.

The goats, cows and buffalo wandered from forest to forest until they entered a grove of reeds. Tormented by the forest heat, they cried out.

When Kṛṣṇa, Rāma and the other cowherd boys could no longer see the animals, they became remorseful. Though they searched, they did not know which way the cows had gone.

Distraught at losing their livelihood, they all followed the animals' trail by the grass cut by their hooves and by the hoofprints marking the ground.

They found their herd lost in the Muñjā forest and crying out. Exhausted and thirsty themselves, the boys then turned the animals back.

Bhagavān called the cows by their individual names in a voice deep as a cloud. Hearing their names resound, they answered Him with joyful lowing.

Then, by chance, a vast forest fire appeared all around, its smoke serving as its banner. Fanned by the wind as its charioteer, its fierce flames licked at all moving and unmoving forest creatures and threatened to destroy them.

Seeing the forest fire advancing upon them from every side, the terrified cowherd boys and cows surrendered to Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma, as people tormented by fear of death surrender to Hari.

Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa, great hero! O Rāma of unfailing prowess! We have surrendered to You; please save us from this forest fire that is burning us.

Surely, Kṛṣṇa, Your own relatives should not be allowed to perish. O knower of every duty, You are our Lord and we are devoted wholly to You.

Śrī Śuka said: Hearing the pitiful words of His relatives, Bhagavān Hari said, 'Close your eyes. Do not be afraid.'

When they obeyed and closed their eyes, Bhagavān, Lord of yoga, drank the raging fire through His mouth and delivered them from danger.

Then they opened their eyes and found themselves returned to Bhāṇḍīra. Seeing themselves and the cows rescued, they were astonished.

Witnessing Kṛṣṇa's yogic power, manifested through Yogamāyā, and their own deliverance from the forest fire, they concluded that He must be an immortal god.

In the evening Janārdana gathered the cows and, together with Balarāma, returned to the cowherd settlement playing His flute while the cowherd boys praised Him.

Seeing Govinda brought the gopīs the highest joy, for without Him each moment had seemed like a hundred ages.