In the enchanting groves of Vraja, Krishna, the beloved Lord of Lakshmi, delighted the beautiful women of the cowherd village. With warm embraces, gentle touches, affectionate glances, and playful laughter, he filled their hearts with joy, much as a child is captivated by his own reflection. The gopis, overwhelmed by the bliss of his presence, found their senses in disarray. Their hair and garments loosened, breastbands slipped, and garlands and ornaments fell unnoticed, so absorbed were they in Krishna’s company that they could hardly gather their scattered adornments. Witnessing these divine pastimes, even the celestial women in the heavens were bewildered and overcome with longing. The moon himself, surrounded by his retinue, gazed on in astonishment at Krishna’s playful sports. By his own will, Krishna assumed as many forms as there were cowherd women, so that each gopi felt his undivided companionship, though he himself was ever self-satisfied. When the gopis grew tired from their joyful play, Krishna, full of compassion and love, gently wiped their faces with his peaceful hand. Their cheeks, radiant with golden earrings and entwined hair, glowed as they smiled sweetly and sang of Krishna’s glorious deeds, feeling blessed by the touch of his lotus hands. Surrounded by these women, their garlands crushed and their bodies marked with saffron, Krishna entered the forest, followed by hosts of Gandharvas. He resembled a great elephant, weary from play, entering the waters with his female companions. There, as the gopis bathed him, gazed at him with love and laughter, and as celestial beings showered flowers from above, Krishna, the self-delighting Lord, sported like a king of elephants. He wandered with them through his favorite groves, on land and water, where the air was fragrant with flowers, surrounded by swarms of joyful women like a rutting elephant among his mates. Thus, through nights illuminated by the moon’s rays, true to his word and surrounded by loving companions, Krishna enjoyed their company, his passion always contained within himself, savoring the poetic beauty of the autumn season. At this point, King Parikshit, filled with wonder, questioned the sage Shuka: “O Brahman, the Lord descends to establish righteousness and subdue unrighteousness. How then could he, the very protector of dharma, act contrary to it by touching the wives of others? The Lord, though self-satisfied, performed an act that is censured—what was his intention? Please dispel my doubt.” Shuka replied: “Transgressions and bold acts are sometimes seen among the lords of the universe. For the powerful, there is no fault, just as fire consumes all things without blame. But one who is not a lord should never imitate such acts, not even in thought; to do so out of ignorance leads to ruin, as when Rudra was harmed by the ocean’s poison. The words and deeds of the lords are true, but the wise should only follow those that accord with reason. The lords act without personal aim, and for those without ego, even the opposite of what is expected brings no harm. But for all other beings—animals, mortals, and gods—good and evil are real and binding. Those who are satisfied by serving the dust of Krishna’s lotus feet, whose yoga has dissolved all bondage of karma, roam freely as sages, unrestrained. By his will, having assumed a body, how could there be any bondage for him? He dwells within all beings—the gopis, their husbands, and everyone embodied—overseeing and playing in all bodies. For the sake of showing favor to living beings, he takes on a human form and performs such pastimes, hearing which one becomes devoted to him. Indeed, the residents of Vraja, deluded by Krishna’s maya, did not envy him, each thinking those beside them to be their own spouses. When the night of Brahma had ended, the gopis, beloved of the Lord, though reluctant, returned to their homes with Krishna’s approval. Whoever faithfully hears or recounts these divine pastimes of Vishnu with the wives of Vraja quickly attains supreme devotion and, being wise, swiftly removes the disease of lust from the heart. Shuka continued: Once, during a festival for the gods, the cowherds, eager with excitement, set out for the forest of Ambika with their oxen and carts. There, after bathing in the Sarasvati river, they worshipped the mighty Lord Pashupati and the goddess Ambika with great devotion. They offered cows, gold, clothing, honey, and food to the brahmanas, praying, ‘May the Lord be pleased with us.’ That night, Nanda, Sunanda, and the others rested on the riverbank, having observed vows and quenched their thirst. But as Nanda lay asleep, a great, hungry serpent came by chance and seized him. Gripped by the serpent, Nanda cried out in terror, “Krishna, Krishna, this is terrible! Father, a snake is swallowing me—save me, I have taken refuge in you!” Hearing his cries, the cowherds awoke and rushed to his aid. Bewildered, they struck the serpent with sticks and firebrands, but it would not release him. Then Krishna, the master of the Sātvatas, approached and touched the serpent with his foot. Instantly, the serpent’s evil was destroyed, and it abandoned its form, taking on a radiant body honored by the Vidyādharas. Krishna asked the shining being, “Who are you, blessed with such splendor? How did you come to this lowly state?” The former serpent replied, “I am a Vidyādhara named Sudarshana, famed for beauty and wealth. I traveled the skies in my aerial chariot, but the sages Virupa and Angirasa, proud of their own appearance, laughed at me. By their curse, which I had earned through my own folly, I was made to enter this birth. Yet their curse was truly my blessing, for with the touch of your foot, all misfortune was destroyed. Now, freed from the curse, I ask you, O remover of fear and refuge of the distressed, to permit me to depart, having received the blessing of your touch. I take refuge in you, O great yogi, supreme person, lord of the virtuous, master of all worlds and their rulers—please grant me leave.” Thus, the Lord’s compassion and divine play continued to bless all who sought refuge in him, bestowing liberation and devotion upon those who heard of his wondrous deeds.