Canto Ten - Chapter 22

Śrī Śuka said: During the first month of winter, the unmarried girls of Nanda's Vraja observed a vow of worshiping Kātyāyanī, eating only simple sacrificial food.

O King, at sunrise they bathed in the Yamunā, made an image of the goddess from sand upon the bank and worshiped her.

They offered fragrances, fragrant garlands, food offerings, incense, lamps and gifts of many kinds, including tender shoots, fruits and grains of rice.

The girls performed their worship while reciting: 'Kātyāyanī, great Māyā, mighty Yoginī and supreme ruler, O goddess, make Nanda the cowherd's son my husband. I bow to you.'

Thus for a month the maidens, their minds fixed upon Kṛṣṇa, observed the vow and worshiped Bhadrakālī, praying that Nanda's son would become their husband.

Rising at dawn, calling one another by name and linking arms, they went each day to bathe in the Yamunā while loudly singing of Kṛṣṇa.

One day they came to the river, placed their garments upon the bank as before and joyfully played in the water while singing of Kṛṣṇa.

Bhagavān Kṛṣṇa, Lord of the masters of yoga, understood their intention. Surrounded by His young companions, He went there to fulfill their vow.

Taking their garments, He quickly climbed a kadamba tree. Laughing together with the laughing boys, He playfully addressed the girls.

Come here, girls, and each take your own garment as you please. I am speaking truthfully, not joking, for your vow has made you thin.

I have never before spoken falsely, and these boys know it. Slender-waisted girls, come one by one or all together and receive your garments.

Seeing His teasing, the gopīs overflowed with love. Embarrassed, they looked at one another and laughed, but did not come out.

As Govinda continued speaking, their minds captivated by His joking, they remained immersed up to their necks in the cold water. Trembling, they addressed Him.

Please be fair with us! Do not tease us. We know You as Nanda the cowherd's beloved son, praised throughout Vraja. We are trembling, so give us our garments.

Śyāmasundara, we are Your servants and will do what You say. Knower of dharma, return our clothes, or we will tell the king.

Śrī Bhagavān said: If you are truly My servants and will do what I say, then come here, pure-smiling girls, and take your garments. Otherwise I will not return them. What can the angry king do?

Then all the girls, shivering and distressed by the cold, rose from the water while covering themselves with their hands.

Seeing them so afflicted, Bhagavān was pleased by their pure devotion. He placed the garments upon His shoulder and spoke with an affectionate smile.

You entered the water naked while observing a vow, and this offended the presiding deity. To remove the fault, join your palms above your heads, bow down and then take your garments.

The girls of Vraja accepted Acyuta's words. Understanding that bathing naked had impaired their vow and wishing to complete it, they bowed to Him, the direct witness of all their acts and destroyer of fault.

Seeing them bow in that way, compassionate Bhagavān, Devakī's son, was satisfied and returned their garments.

Though thoroughly deceived, deprived of modesty, mocked, made to act like toys and robbed of their garments, they felt no resentment toward Him, for communion with their beloved had filled them with joy.

After putting on their garments, they remained ready to unite with their beloved. Their hearts captured, they did not move, but gazed upon Him shyly.

Bhagavān Dāmodara understood that the girls had observed the vow desiring the touch of His feet, and He spoke to them.

Virtuous girls, I know that your resolve in worshiping Me is sincere. I approve it, and it deserves to be fulfilled.

Desire in those whose minds are absorbed in Me does not produce selfish enjoyment, just as roasted or boiled grain can no longer sprout as seed.

Go now, girls, and return to Vraja. Your purpose is fulfilled. During future nights you will enjoy with Me, for this was the aim of your vow and worship of the goddess.

Śrī Śuka said: Thus instructed by Bhagavān, the maidens attained their desire. Meditating upon His lotus feet, they returned to Vraja only with difficulty.

Then Bhagavān, Devakī's son, surrounded by the cowherd boys and accompanied by His elder brother, went far from Vṛndāvana while grazing the cows.

Seeing the trees use their own shade as parasols against the fierce summer sun, He addressed the residents of Vraja.

Stokakṛṣṇa, Aṃśu, Śrīdāmā, Subala, Arjuna, Viśāla, Vṛṣabha, Ojasvī, Devaprastha and Varūthapa,

Look at these greatly fortunate trees, whose lives are devoted entirely to others. Enduring wind, rain, heat and frost, they protect us from them.

How excellent is their birth, sustaining every living creature! Like generous people, they never send a supplicant away disappointed.

With leaves, flowers, fruits, shade, roots, bark and wood, and with fragrance, sap, ashes, fibers and shoots, they fulfill others' needs.

The success of an embodied life among embodied beings is simply this: always to act for others' welfare with one's life, wealth, intelligence and words.

Speaking thus, Kṛṣṇa walked amid trees whose branches bowed beneath masses of tender shoots, flower clusters, fruits and leaves, and reached the Yamunā.

O King, after letting the cows drink the river's pure, cool and wholesome water, the cowherd boys themselves drank the sweet water to their full satisfaction.

While grazing the animals freely in a grove beside the river, O King, the boys became hungry, approached Kṛṣṇa and Rāma, and spoke.