At the edge of the forest, in the company of his beloved brother Balarāma and the cowherd boys, Lord Krishna spoke: “Go, dear friends, to the homes of the brāhmaṇas and ask for cooked rice. Tell them you come sent by us—mention my name, the noble Balarāma, and myself.” Thus instructed, the cowherd boys set out. With folded hands and deep reverence, they bowed low before the brāhmaṇas, prostrating themselves to the ground. They addressed the brāhmaṇas respectfully: “O lords of the earth, hear us! We have come as messengers of Krishna, sent by Rāma. May good fortune be yours. O best knowers of dharma, Rama and Achyuta are tending the cows nearby and are hungry. If you have faith, please give them the cooked rice they desire.” They continued, “O excellent ones, except during the consecration for the animal sacrifice or the Sautramani, even one who is consecrated need not consider food spoiled by eating it.” Yet, though the brāhmaṇas heard this humble request on behalf of the Lord himself, they paid no heed. Absorbed in their rituals, childish in their pride, and preoccupied with petty desires, they dismissed the plea. How could they not see? The place, the time, the ingredients, the mantras, the procedures, the priests, the fires, the deities, the sacrificer, the ritual itself, and dharma—all these are but manifestations of Krishna, the Supreme Brahman, Adhokṣaja. But, lacking discernment, seeing only a mortal youth, they did not recognize him. The brāhmaṇas neither agreed nor refused. Disappointed, the cowherd boys returned to Krishna and Balarāma, recounting all that had transpired. Hearing their words, the Lord, Master of the universe, laughed gently and spoke again, showing the way of the world: “Go now to the wives of the brāhmaṇas. Tell them that Sankarṣaṇa and I have come. They, affectionate and devoted to me in their hearts, will gladly give you food.” The boys went to the house of the brāhmaṇas’ wives. Seeing them seated, adorned, and radiant, the cowherds bowed and spoke with respect: “Salutations, O noble ladies. Please listen. Not far from here, Krishna and his companions are tending the cows. He has come a long way with Rama and is hungry. Please give him food.” When the brāhmaṇas’ wives heard that Achyuta had come, their hearts leapt with joy. Their minds, ever absorbed in thoughts of Krishna, thrilled at the chance to see him. Without delay, they gathered four kinds of excellent food in vessels and hurried forth, like rivers rushing to the ocean, eager to meet their beloved. Though their husbands, brothers, sons, and relatives tried to restrain them, their minds were fixed on the Lord of glorious fame. Sustained by the teachings they had long cherished, they pressed on. In a grove by the Yamunā, adorned with fresh asoka shoots, they found Krishna, surrounded by cowherds and his elder brother, wandering in beauty. They beheld him—dark as a rain-laden cloud, clad in golden garments, adorned with forest garlands and peacock feathers, dressed as a dancer. A lotus rested on his shoulder, another twirled in his hand, a lily graced his ear, his locks framed his cheeks, and his face blossomed with a smile. Their minds, immersed in the one whose stories delighted their hearts, whose presence enchanted their ears, entered him through their eyes. They embraced him inwardly, letting go of all sorrow, wise and fulfilled. Having abandoned all other hopes, they came to see their very Self. The Lord, who knows all hearts, welcomed them with a smile: “Welcome, O highly fortunate ones! Please be seated. What may I do for you? It is fitting that you have come, desiring to see us. Those truly wise, seeking their own good, render to me, who am dearer than their own selves, devotion that is causeless and unbroken. Life, intellect, mind, self, wives, children, wealth—all become dear through contact with me. Who else, then, could truly be dear? Now, return to the sacrificial altar, O noble ladies. Your husbands, as householders, will complete the sacrifice with your participation.” But the wives replied, “Do not speak so harshly, O Lord! Fulfill the promise of scripture at your feet. We have left behind all relatives, seeking only 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. O subduer of enemies, for those of us who have fallen at your feet, there is no other refuge. Please grant us this grace.” The Lord comforted 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 in this world is not for love or affection; by fixing your minds on me, you will soon attain me.” Thus instructed, the brāhmaṇas’ wives returned to the sacrificial enclosure, and their husbands, now free of envy, completed the ritual with their 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. Lord Govinda, with that very food, fed the cowherds in fourfold ways, and he himself partook. In this way, the Lord, assuming a human form for his divine play, delighted the cows, the cowherds, and the cowherd women with his beauty, words, and deeds. Later, the brāhmaṇas recalled the request their wives had made to the Lords of the universe. Realizing their error, having mocked the Lord in human guise, they repented. Seeing the extraordinary devotion of their wives to Krishna, and recognizing their own lack of such devotion, they became remorseful and blamed themselves. “Fie upon our birth, our threefold knowledge, our vows, our great learning, our lineage, and our ritual expertise—if we are turned away from the Lord beyond sense perception. Surely, the Lord’s māyā is deluding, even for yogis; for we, the teachers of men, are bewildered about our own true welfare. See the steadfastness of these women, who, for Krishna—the teacher of the world—broke the bonds of death called ‘home.’ These women had no initiation as twice-born, no residence with a teacher, no austerity, no self-inquiry, no purity, and no auspicious rituals. Still, though we possess refinement and virtue, our devotion to Krishna, the Lord of the most exalted, the master of all yogis, is not firm.” Thus, the story of the brāhmaṇas, their wives, and the Lord unfolded, revealing the supreme power of devotion and the grace of Krishna.