O King, you are the one who takes on the forms and duties of the sun, moon, fire, Indra, wind, Yama, Dharma, and Varuṇa. To you, the pure one, I offer my homage. When you do not ride your victorious, jewel-studded chariot, with your mighty bow in hand, even the sight of your chariot is enough to strike terror into the hearts of the wicked. With your army, you crush the circle of the earth and shake its very sphere, drawing forth great hosts as you roam, radiant like the sun itself. At such a time, O King, all the boundaries set by the divisions of varṇa and āśrama, established by the Lord for the order of society, would surely be destroyed by bandits. Unrighteousness would arise, fostered by greedy and unrestrained men; if you were to lie down and abandon your duty, this world, overtaken by outlaws, would surely perish. Nevertheless, O hero, I ask you—what is the purpose of your coming here? Let us act with honest hearts, according to your intent. Śuka continued: In the first month of winter, the young girls of Nanda’s Vraja undertook the vow of worshipping Kātyāyanī, eating only the simplest food. At dawn, as the sun rose, they would bathe in the waters of the Kālindī, and on the riverbank, they would fashion an image of the goddess from sand and worship her, O King. They offered fragrant garlands, perfumes, incense, lamps, and many gifts—sprouts, fruits, grains, both great and small—to the goddess. Chanting the 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. Thus, with their minds fixed on Kṛṣṇa, they observed the vow for a month, worshipping Bhadrakālī, desiring that the son of Nanda might become their husband. Each morning, the maidens, together with their companions, would rise, link arms, and sing loudly of Kṛṣṇa as they went to bathe in the Kālindī. One day, as usual, they came to the riverbank, left their clothes on the shore, and, singing of Kṛṣṇa, joyfully played in the water. The Lord Kṛṣṇa, master of all yogis, understanding their hearts’ desire, came there with his friends to fulfill their wish. Swiftly, he gathered their garments and climbed up a kadamba tree, laughing with the boys as he called out 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 one another bashfully and smiled, but did not come out of the water. As Govinda spoke thus, their minds were agitated, and shivering in the cold water up to their necks, the girls addressed him, “O beloved son of Nanda, please respect us; we know you are worthy of all 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.” Thus, shivering from the cold, all the girls emerged from the water, covering themselves 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 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 the girls had been teased, embarrassed, and made to play as if in sport, and even had their clothes taken, they felt no resentment, finding only joy in Kṛṣṇa’s beloved company. After putting on their garments, their hearts set on meeting their beloved, the girls, with eyes cast down in modesty, did not depart from him. Understanding their longing to touch his feet, the Lord Dāmodara spoke to the maidens, who had kept their vow: “Your intention, O virtuous ones, to worship me is known to me. I approve of it, and it will surely be fulfilled. For those whose minds are fixed on me, desire does not lead to lust, just as roasted and boiled grains 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.” Thus instructed by the Lord, the maidens, their desires fulfilled, returned to Vraja, meditating on his lotus feet, though it was difficult for them to go. 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 saw the trees providing shade with their own bodies, shielding all from the fierce, scorching rays of the midday sun. 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. How blessed is their birth, for all creatures live by them. Like the truly good, they never turn away those who seek their help. They fulfill desires with leaves, flowers, fruits, shade, roots, bark, wood, fragrant resin, sap, ashes, and bones.” Thus, the Lord taught by his words and actions, surrounded by his friends and the beauty of Vraja.