The hearts of the gopīs remained utterly captivated by Krishna—his graceful walk, noble laughter, playful glances, and sweet, enchanting words had woven themselves into the very fabric of their minds. How, they wondered, could they ever forget him? In their longing, they prayed: “O Lord, beloved of Lakshmi, master of Vraja, destroyer of sorrow! O Govinda, lift Gokula from this ocean of suffering in which we are submerged.” Śuka continued the tale: Relieved from the fever of separation by Krishna’s tender messages, the gopīs and all the people of Vraja honored Uddhava, recognizing in him a manifestation of the Lord himself. Uddhava remained in Gokula for several months, gently dispelling the gopīs’ grief by recounting Krishna’s wondrous pastimes and filling the hearts of all with delight. As long as Uddhava dwelt in the land of Nanda, every day passed swiftly for the residents, their thoughts wholly absorbed in the news and memories of Krishna. Roaming through the rivers, forests, and blossoming trees of Vraja, Uddhava remembered Krishna at every step and found joy in serving the people there. Observing the gopīs so deeply absorbed in Krishna, their minds overwhelmed with love, Uddhava was filled with supreme joy. He bowed to them and spoke from his heart: “These cowherd women are the highest among all embodied beings, for their love for Govinda lies deep within their hearts. Even sages, fearful of rebirth, and those like myself long for such devotion—what is the worth of being born as Brahma compared to tasting the nectar of Krishna’s stories? “Where are these simple women of the forest, who have strayed beyond the bounds of convention, and where is this supreme love for Krishna, the Paramatma? Truly, even those ignorant who worship the Lord directly receive his blessings, just as a king bestows favor upon those who serve him. “O friend, such intense love is not found even among the heavenly women, fragrant as lotuses, nor among others. It arose at the rasa festival, when Krishna embraced the necks of his beloveds of Vraja and granted them fulfillment. “Oh, how I wish I could become even a blade of grass, a bush, a creeper, or a herb here in Vṛndāvana, so that I might receive the dust of the feet of those who, forsaking what is so hard to give up—their own kin and the path of virtue—have sought the path of Mukunda, which is sought by the very Vedas. “Those whose breasts, adorned with the lotus feet of Krishna—the Lord worshipped by Lakshmi and the greatest yogis, the very goal of the rasa dance—have, by embracing him, cast off all suffering. Again and again I bow to the dust of the feet of the women of Nanda’s Vraja, whose singing of Hari’s glories purifies all the three worlds.” Śuka continued: At last, after taking leave of the gopīs, of Yaśodā and Nanda, and bidding farewell to all the cowherds, Uddhava prepared to depart and ascended his chariot. As he was leaving, Nanda and the others, their hands full of gifts, came to him with great affection, their eyes brimming with tears, and spoke: “May our minds always rest at Krishna’s lotus feet, may our words speak only his names, and may our bodies bow in his service. Though we may be tossed about by our actions wherever the Lord’s will may send us, may our devotion to Krishna remain steady through all good deeds and charity.” Thus honored by the cowherds, their hearts brimming with devotion to Krishna, Uddhava returned to Mathurā, protected by Krishna’s grace. He bowed to Krishna, and with a heart overflowing with devotion for the people of Vraja, presented gifts to Vasudeva, Balarāma, and the king. Śuka resumed: Then the Lord, the Soul of all, who knows the hearts of all, aware of Sairandhrī (Kubjā)’s desire and wishing to please her, went to her house. Her dwelling was splendid—richly furnished for pleasure, adorned with pearl garlands, banners, canopies, beds, and seats; fragrant incense filled the air, bright lamps shone, and garlands and perfumes decorated every corner. Seeing Krishna enter, Kubjā was flustered. She rose from her seat, approached him with proper reverence, and, with her companions, honored Acyuta with a seat and many offerings. Uddhava was also respectfully welcomed and, after touching his seat, sat down. Krishna, following worldly custom, quickly entered the resplendent bed. Kubjā, having bathed and adorned herself with fine garments, jewels, garlands, and perfume, and having chewed betel, approached Mādhava. She was bashful, her sidelong glances betraying her excitement and joy. Krishna called his beloved, who was shy and hesitant, her hand adorned with bracelets; taking her hand, he seated her on the bed and enjoyed her company, she blessed by the merit of having anointed him. Her heart and body burning with longing, eyes full of desire, Kubjā inhaled the fragrance of Krishna’s feet, massaged away her pains with them, and, embracing her beloved, found the end of her long suffering in his blissful presence. Having attained the Lord of liberation, so difficult to reach, she, though considered unfortunate, offered him sandal paste and asked for a boon: “Let my beloved stay here with me for a few days; enjoy with me, O lotus-eyed one, for I cannot bear to be parted from you.” Having granted her the boon she desired and having honored her, Krishna, the Giver of Honor, along with Uddhava, returned to his own revered abode. Śuka reflected: He who, by great worship, propitiates Viṣṇu and then chooses a boon pleasing only to the mind, if lacking in goodness, is of poor judgment. Thereafter, Krishna, together with Balarāma and Uddhava, wishing to accomplish something and to please Akrūra, went to Akrūra’s house. Seeing from afar those best of men, his own kinsmen, Akrūra rose joyfully, embraced them, and welcomed them with delight. He bowed to Krishna and Balarāma, and they too greeted him; then, having accepted their seats, he worshipped them properly. He held the water for washing their feet upon his head, honored them with divine garments, fragrant garlands, and the finest ornaments. Having worshipped them, bowing his head and washing their feet with his hands, Akrūra, full of humility, addressed Krishna and Balarāma: “By your grace, wicked Kaṃsa and his followers have been slain, and this family rescued from great distress and restored. “You two are the Supreme Persons, the causes and substance of the universe; apart from you, there is nothing higher or lower. This universe, created by yourself, you enter with your own powers and manifest in many ways, O Brahman, perceivable by hearing and direct experience. Just as in all beings, moving and non-moving, various forms appear in wombs such as mine, so you, O Lord, alone manifest in many ways in beings born from yourself, being self-dependent. “You create, destroy, and protect the universe by your own powers of passion, darkness, and goodness; yet you are not bound by those qualities or actions, for you are the self of knowledge—how could there be any cause of bondage for you?