When the gopīs grew weary from their joyous play with Krishna, he, ever compassionate and full of love, gently wiped the perspiration from their faces with his peaceful, soothing hand. The gopīs, their cheeks glowing with the radiance of golden earrings and their hair beautifully adorned, offered him sweet smiles and tender glances. They sang of his glorious deeds—their hearts overflowing with happiness at the touch of his lotus hands. Surrounded by these loving women, their garlands crushed and their bodies scented with saffron, Krishna entered the forest. Hosts of Gandharvas followed, and the scene resembled a mighty elephant, weary and powerful, breaking through a dam to enter the water, encircled by his female companions. In the forest, the young women bathed him, gazing at him with affection and laughter from all sides. Celestial beings showered him with flowers as he, the self-delighting Lord, sported like the king of elephants, radiant and majestic. In Krishna’s grove, on both land and water, the air was filled with the fragrance of flowers. Krishna wandered there, surrounded by joyful women, just as a rutting elephant enjoys the company of his beloved mates. Thus, through nights illuminated by the moon’s gentle rays, Krishna, faithful to his promise and encircled by loving gopīs, delighted with them. Yet, his passion remained absorbed within himself, and he savored the poetic beauty of the autumn season. Hearing of these pastimes, King Parikshit asked, “O Brahman, the Lord of the universe descends to establish righteousness and subdue unrighteousness. How, then, could he, who is the speaker, doer, and protector of dharma, act contrary to it by touching the wives of others? The Lord of the Yadus, who is self-satisfied, performed an act that is censured—what was his intention? Please dispel my doubt, O virtuous one.” Shuka replied, “Among the lords and gods, transgressions and bold acts are sometimes seen; for the powerful, there is no fault—just as fire consumes everything without blame. But one who is not a lord should never imitate this, not even in thought. If someone acts out of ignorance, he perishes, just as Rudra was harmed by the poison from the ocean. The words and actions of the lords are true, but the wise should follow only those that are in accord with reason and righteousness. The lords act without personal aim, and for those without ego, there is no harm—even if the opposite appears to occur. For all other beings—animals, mortals, and gods—good and evil have their binding effects. “But those who are satisfied by serving the dust of Krishna’s lotus feet, whose powers of yoga have dissolved all bondage of karma, roam freely as sages, unrestrained. When the Lord Himself assumes a body by His own will, how can there be any bondage for Him? He dwells within all beings—the gopīs, their husbands, and everyone embodied—overseeing and playing in all forms. For the sake of showing favor to living beings, He takes on a human body and performs such pastimes. Hearing these stories, one becomes devoted to Him. “In truth, the residents of Vraja, deluded by Krishna’s māyā, did not envy him, believing those beside them to be their own spouses. When the night of Brahma had ended, the gopīs, beloved of the Lord, though reluctant, returned to their homes with Krishna’s blessing. Whoever faithfully hears or recounts these divine plays of the wives of Vraja with Vishnu quickly attains supreme devotion to the Lord, and the wise are freed from the disease of lust in the heart.” Shuka continued, “Once, during a festival for the gods, the cowherd community, eager with excitement, set out for the Ambikā forest, their oxen yoked to carts. There, after bathing in the Sarasvatī river, they worshipped Lord Paśupati with offerings, and also the goddess Ambikā, with great devotion. They gave cows, gold, clothing, honey, and food to the brāhmaṇas, praying, ‘May the Lord be pleased with us.’ “On the bank of the Sarasvatī, after drinking its waters and observing their vows, Nanda, Sunanda, and the other elders spent the night. But in that forest, a great and hungry serpent came by chance and seized Nanda as he slept. Gripped tightly, Nanda cried out in terror, ‘Krishna, Krishna, this is terrible! Father, a snake is swallowing me—save me! I take refuge in you!’ “The cowherds awoke at his cries, and, seeing Nanda trapped, they rushed to his aid, striking the serpent with sticks. Yet, even as they burned it with firebrands, the serpent would not release him. Then Krishna, master of the Sātvatas, approached and touched the serpent with his foot. Instantly, the serpent’s evil was destroyed, and it abandoned its reptilian form, assuming a radiant body, honored by the Vidyādharas. “Krishna, Hrishikesha, asked the shining figure, ‘Who are you, who stands here with such splendor? How did you come to be in this fallen state?’ The being replied, ‘I am a Vidyādhara named Sudarśana, known for my beauty and wealth, traveling the skies in my chariot. Once, proud of my appearance, I mocked the sages Virupa and Angirasa. By their curse, which I earned through my own fault, I was made to enter this birth as a serpent. Yet, that curse was truly a blessing, for by the touch of your foot, O teacher of the world, all my misfortune is destroyed. ‘Now released, I ask you—who remove fear for those lost in the world and grant refuge—to permit me to depart, having received the blessing of your touch. I have taken shelter in you, O great yogi, O supreme person, lord of the virtuous, master of all worlds. By seeing you, O infallible one, I am freed from Brahma’s punishment. Your very name purifies all who hear it—how much more so your touch!’ “With Krishna’s permission, Sudarśana circled him in reverence, offered obeisance, and ascended to heaven. Nanda was freed from distress. Witnessing Krishna’s divine power, the people of Vraja were filled with astonishment. After completing their observances, they returned to Vraja, joyfully recounting all that had happened. “Once again, Govinda and Rama, both mighty and wondrous, enjoyed themselves in the forest at night, surrounded by the women of Vraja, their hearts overflowing with bliss.