Uddhava, ever eager for wisdom, approached and asked, “O best of speakers, how can I truly understand this? Please explain it to us.” He reflected on the profound challenge of overcoming transgressions against the self, saying, “This unbearable offense, O Soul of the Universe, is exceedingly difficult to avoid—even for the wise—because the power of nature is so strong. Only those devoted to your dharma, peaceful, and sheltered at your feet can succeed.” He continued, “Even Bṛhaspati, the master of Brahmanic doctrine, and Lord Hari himself, in the state of self-realization, follow Viṣvaksena through devotion to cows, teachers, and Brahmins. Throughout the three worlds, men enter the hearts of women by praise and song, just as Rāma does among the virtuous. And among the wives of sacrificers, favor is won through food and offerings.” At that time, the cowherds, afflicted by hunger, turned to Balarāma and Kṛṣṇa and said, “O Rāma, mighty-armed one! O Kṛṣṇa, destroyer of the wicked! Hunger torments us. Please relieve us of it.” Śuka narrated what happened next: Hearing the plea of the cowherds, Lord Kṛṣṇa, son of Devakī, spoke kindly for the sake of the devoted wife of a Brahmin. He instructed, “Go to the sacrificial altar where the Brahmins, learned in the Vedas, are performing the Angirasa sacrifice, hoping for heaven. Go, cowherds, and ask them for cooked rice, sent by us. Mention the names of the Lord, the noble one, and myself.” Thus instructed, the cowherds went as directed. With folded hands, bowing low, they approached the Brahmins and spoke with humility: “O lords of the earth, please listen! We come as messengers of Kṛṣṇa, sent by Rāma. May fortune be yours. O best knowers of dharma, Rāma and Achyuta, tending cows nearby, are hungry and seek food from you. If you have faith, please give them the cooked rice they desire. Except during the consecration for the animal sacrifice or the Sautramani rite, even for one who is consecrated, food is not spoiled by eating it.” But the Brahmins, though they heard this request on behalf of the Lord, did not listen. Their desires were petty, their minds absorbed in rituals, and they were proud of their learning. They failed to recognize that all the elements of sacrifice—the place, time, materials, mantras, priests, fires, deities, sacrificer, the ritual, and dharma itself—are composed of Him, the Supreme Brahman, Adhokshaja. Lacking discernment, seeing themselves as mere mortals, they did not recognize the Lord in human form. Nor did they say, “Give it to the Yadus,” or refuse outright. The cowherds, disappointed, returned and reported everything to Kṛṣṇa and Rāma. On hearing this, the Lord, the Master of the universe, laughed and spoke again to the cowherds, showing them a different path. He said, “Now go and inform the wives of the Brahmins that Sankarshana and I have come. Their hearts are affectionate and devoted to me; they will gladly give you food.” The cowherds went to the homes of the Brahmins’ wives. Seeing these noble women seated and adorned, the cowherds bowed and spoke respectfully: “Salutations to you, O wives of the Brahmins. Please hear our words. Not far from here, we, sent by Kṛṣṇa, are tending the cows. He, along with Rāma and the cowherds, has come a long way and is hungry. Please give food to him and his companions.” When the Brahmins’ wives heard that Achyuta had come, their hearts, already absorbed in his stories and eager for his sight, filled with joy. Gathering four kinds of excellent food in vessels, they hurried out to meet their beloved, like rivers rushing to the ocean. Though forbidden by their husbands, brothers, relatives, and sons, their minds fixed on the Lord, and sustained by the teachings they had long cherished, they went forth undeterred. In a grove on the Yamunā, adorned with fresh asoka shoots, the women saw him—surrounded by cowherds and his elder brother, wandering there. He appeared dark as a raincloud, clad in golden garments, adorned with garlands of forest flowers and peacock feathers. Dressed as a dancer, with a lotus resting on his shoulder, one hand twirling a lotus, a lily in his ear, locks framing his cheeks, and a radiant smile lighting up his face. Their minds, immersed in him whose stories they loved, whose presence delighted their ears, they gazed on him with longing. Through their eyes, they entered him, embracing him within, and, wise as they were, let go of all sorrow as they wished. Having abandoned all other hopes, they came, desiring to see their very Self. Knowing this, the Lord, the seer of all, greeted them with a smile and said, “Welcome, O highly fortunate ones! Please be seated. What may I do for you? It is fitting that you have come here, desiring to see us. Indeed, those who are truly wise and seek their own good offer to me, who am dearer than their very selves, devotion that is causeless and unbroken. Life, intellect, mind, self, wives, children, wealth—all these are dear only through contact with me. Therefore, who else could truly be dear?” He continued, “Now, return to the sacrificial altar, O wives of the twice-born! Your husbands, as householders, will complete their sacrifice with your participation.” The wives replied, “Do not speak so harshly, O Lord! Fulfill the promise of your scripture at your feet. We have left behind all relatives to gather the dust of your feet, adorned with tulasi, to place in our hair. Neither our husbands, nor parents, nor children, nor brothers, nor friends, nor anyone else will accept us now. Therefore, O subduer of enemies, for those of us who have sought your feet, there is no other refuge—please grant us this.” The Blessed Lord reassured them: “Let not your husbands, fathers, brothers, sons, or others bear resentment; even the worlds, the gods, and all beings honor you, for you are now connected with me. Physical association among people in this world is not for love or affection; by fixing your minds on me, you will soon attain me.” Śuka continued: Thus addressed, the wives of the Brahmins returned to the sacrificial enclosure, and their husbands, now free of envy, completed the sacrifice with their own wives. There, one woman, restrained by her husband, embraced the Lord in her heart as she had heard, and, giving up her body bound by karma, attained liberation. Then, Lord Govinda, with that very food, fed the cowherds in fourfold ways, and the Lord himself also partook. Thus, assuming a human form for his divine play, the Lord delighted the cows, the cowherds, and the cowherd women with his beauty, his words, and his deeds.