O King, it is certain that your wandering across the land is for the protection of the virtuous and the destruction of those who act wickedly; for you are the sustaining power of Hari himself. You assume many forms and roles—of the sun, moon, fire, Indra, wind, Yama, Dharma, and Varuṇa—and to you, the pure one, we offer our homage. When you do not mount your victorious chariot, adorned with jewels and brandishing your fierce bow, even your chariot alone terrifies the wicked. As you crush the earth’s circle with the feet of your army, shaking its sphere and drawing forth a great host, you roam like the radiant sun. At such times, O King, all the boundaries established by the divisions of varṇa and āśrama—created by the Lord—would surely be broken by bandits. Unrighteousness would arise, fostered by greedy and unrestrained men; if you were to lie down, this world, seized by outlaws, would surely perish. Yet, O hero, I ask you: for what purpose have you come here? Let us, with honest hearts, act accordingly. Śuka continued: In the first month of winter, the young girls of Nanda’s Vraja began the vow of worshipping Kātyāyanī, subsisting only on simple food. At dawn, when the sun had just risen, they bathed in the waters of the Kālindī. On the riverbank, they made an image of the goddess from sand and worshipped her, O King. With fragrant garlands, perfumes, offerings, incense, lamps, and various gifts—both great and small, such as sprouts, fruits, and grains—they honored the goddess. Chanting this mantra, “O Kātyāyanī, great power, great yoginī, supreme ruler, O goddess, make the son of Nanda my husband; I bow to you,” the girls performed their worship. In this way, the maidens, their minds fixed on Kṛṣṇa, observed the vow for a month, worshipping Bhadrakālī, desiring that the son of Nanda become their husband. At dawn, rising with their companions and linking arms, they sang loudly of Kṛṣṇa as they went each day to bathe in the Kālindī. One day, as they came to the riverbank, they left their clothes as usual and, singing of Kṛṣṇa, joyfully played in the water. The Lord Kṛṣṇa, master of all yogis, understanding their intention, came there surrounded by his friends to fulfill their desire. Quickly taking their garments, he climbed a kadamba tree and, laughing with the boys, spoke to them in jest: “Come here, girls, and each of you take back your own garment as you wish. I speak the truth, not merely in jest, if you are truly wearied by your vow. I have never spoken a lie before, and these boys know it. O fair-waisted ones, come one by one to receive them, not all together.” Seeing his playful gesture, the gopīs, overwhelmed with love, looked at each other bashfully, smiled, but did not come out. As Govinda spoke thus in jest, their minds agitated, the girls, immersed up to their necks in the cold water and shivering, addressed him: “O beloved son of Nanda, please respect us; we know you are worthy of Vraja’s praise. Give us our clothes, for we are trembling. O Śyāmasundara, we are your servants and will do as you say; give us our garments, O knower of dharma, or else we will complain to the king.” The Blessed Lord replied, “If you are truly my servants and will do as I have said, let these pure-smiling girls come here and receive their garments.” Then all the girls, shivering from the cold, emerged from the water, covering their private parts with their hands, afflicted by the chill. Seeing them helpless, the Lord, pleased by their pure devotion, placed their garments on his shoulder and, smiling, spoke to them with affection: “You entered the water naked, maintaining your vow, and this is an offense against the gods. With folded hands, bow your heads to dispel this fault, and then, taking your clothes, put them on.” Hearing these words from Acyuta, the girls of Vraja understood that bathing naked was a breach of their vow. Wishing to fulfill their purpose, they accepted this as the completion of their ritual, for it was directly ordained by him and thus blameless. Seeing them bowing in this way, the Lord, son of Devakī, moved by compassion, returned their garments to them, being pleased. Though they had been firmly teased, embarrassed, and made to play as if in sport, and even had their clothes taken, the girls did not resent him, finding joy in his beloved company. After putting on their garments, their hearts set on meeting their beloved, the girls, their eyes cast down in modesty, did not depart from him. Understanding their desire to touch his feet, the Lord Dāmodara spoke to the girls, who had kept their vow, about their intention: “Your intention, O virtuous ones, to worship me is known to me. I approve of it, and it is destined to be fulfilled. For those whose minds are fixed on me, desire does not lead to lust, just as roasted and boiled grains generally do not sprout. Go now, girls, to Vraja, perfected in your vow. In the nights to come, you will enjoy with me, for this vow was performed by you with the aim of worshiping me.” Śuka said: Thus instructed by the Lord, the maidens, their desires fulfilled, returned to Vraja, meditating on his lotus feet, though it was difficult for them. Then, surrounded by the cowherd boys, the Lord, son of Devakī, left Vṛndāvana and, along with his elder brother, herded the cows at a distance. As they wandered, Kṛṣṇa observed the trees providing shade with their own bodies as umbrellas against the fierce, scorching rays of the midday sun, and he spoke to the residents of Vraja: “O Stokakṛṣṇa, O Aṃśu, Śrīdāma, Subala, Arjuna, Viśāla, Ṛṣabha, Tejasvin, Devaprastha, Varūthapa! Behold these great souls, who live solely for the sake of others. Enduring wind, rain, sun, and cold, they protect us. Ah, blessed indeed is their birth, for all creatures live by them. Like the truly good, they never turn away those who seek their help.