Among all beings on earth, none are more exalted than the cowherd women of Vraja. Their love for Govinda is woven deep within their hearts, a devotion so pure and intense that even sages—who fear the endless cycle of rebirth—and even we ourselves, long for such love. What value is there in being born as Brahma himself, compared to the sweet nectar of tasting Krishna’s stories as these women do? How astonishing it is! These women, simple dwellers of the forest, sometimes accused of transgressing the norms, have attained the highest love for Krishna, the Paramatma. Even those who are ignorant, but worship the Lord directly, are blessed—just as a king bestows favor upon those who serve him. O friend, this extraordinary grace of love is not found even among the heavenly women, fragrant as lotuses, nor anywhere else. It blossomed during the rasa festival, when Krishna embraced the necks of his beloveds of Vraja, granting them perfect fulfillment. How I wish I could become even a blade of grass, a bush, a creeper, or a herb here in Vrindavana, so that I might receive the dust from the feet of those who, abandoning what is hardest to give up—their own families and the path of worldly virtue—have instead sought the path to Mukunda, which the Vedas themselves search for. Those whose breasts have been adorned by 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 three worlds. After taking leave of the gopis, of Yashoda and Nanda, and bidding farewell to the cowherds, Uddhava prepared to depart, climbing into his chariot. As he was about to leave, Nanda and the others approached him, their hands full of gifts offered with great affection. Tears filled their eyes as they spoke: “May our minds always rest at the lotus feet of Krishna. May our words speak only his names. May our bodies bow in his service. “Even as we are tossed about by our actions, wherever the Lord’s will may send us, may our devotion to Krishna remain steady through all auspicious acts and charity.” Thus honored by the cowherds, their hearts filled with devotion to Krishna, Uddhava returned to Mathura, protected by Krishna’s grace. Arriving there, he bowed to Krishna and, his heart overflowing with devotion for the people of Vraja, offered gifts to Vasudeva, Rama, and the king. Then, the Lord, who is the Soul of all and sees everything, knowing the desire of Sairandhri (Kubja) and wishing to please her, went to her house. Her home was resplendent—adorned with pearl garlands, banners, canopies, beds and seats, fragrant with incense, bright with lamps, and decorated with garlands and perfumes, all arranged for pleasure. When Krishna entered, Kubja, flustered and delighted, immediately rose from her seat. She approached him properly and, together with her companions, honored Acyuta with a seat and other offerings. Uddhava too was respectfully welcomed, and after touching his seat, sat down. Krishna, following worldly custom, quickly entered the splendid bed. Kubja, having bathed and anointed herself, dressed in fine garments and ornaments, garlanded and perfumed, and having chewed betel, approached Madhava. Her bashful, sidelong glances and gentle smile revealed her excitement. Krishna called his beloved, who was shy and hesitant at this first meeting, her hand adorned with bracelets. Taking her by the hand, he seated her on the bed and enjoyed her company; she was blessed by the merit of having anointed him. Her heart and body burned with passion, her eyes longing; she inhaled the fragrance of his feet, massaged away her pains with them, and, embracing her beloved between her arms and breasts, found in him, the embodiment of bliss, the end of her long suffering. Having attained the Lord of liberation, so hard to reach, Kubja, though considered unfortunate, offered him sandal paste and asked for a boon: “Let my beloved stay with me for a few days; enjoy with me, O lotus-eyed one, for I cannot bear to be parted from you.” Krishna, the Giver of Honor, granted her the boon she desired and, having honored her, returned with Uddhava to his own revered abode. One who worships Vishnu, the Lord of all lords, and then chooses a boon that is simply pleasing to the mind, if lacking in goodness, is of poor judgment. Later, Krishna, together with Rama and Uddhava, wishing to please Akrura and accomplish something, went to Akrura’s house. When Akrura saw from a distance those best of men, his own kinsmen, he rose joyfully, embraced them, and welcomed them with delight. He bowed to Krishna and Rama, who greeted him in turn. After accepting their seats as prescribed, 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 own hands, Akrura, full of humility, addressed Krishna and Rama: “By your grace, wicked Kamsa and his followers have been slain, and this family has been rescued from great distress and restored by you both. “You two are the Supreme Persons, the cause and substance of the universe; apart from you, there is nothing higher or lower. “This universe, created by your own power, you enter and manifest in many ways, O Brahman, perceivable by hearing and direct experience. “Just as in all beings, moving and unmoving, various forms arise, 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 powers of passion, darkness, and goodness; yet you are never bound by those qualities or actions, for you are the self of knowledge. How could there be any cause of bondage for you? “Because your existence is not defined by body or other limiting adjuncts, you are not subject to difference; for you there is neither bondage nor liberation—may confusion about your true nature never arise in us. “Whenever the ancient Vedic path is obstructed by false doctrines and untruth, you, for the welfare of the world, manifest yourself, endowed with the quality of goodness. “Therefore, O Lord, today you have descended into the house of Vasudeva, with your own portion, to remove the burden of the earth, destroying hundreds of armies of hostile kings, and spreading the fame of this dynasty. “Today, O Lord, our dwellings are truly blessed, for you, who are the form of all gods, ancestors, beings, and men—whose foot-washing water purifies the three worlds, O teacher of the universe, Adhokshaja—have entered them. “What wise man would seek shelter anywhere else but you, who are dear to your devotees, whose words are true, who are a friend to all and grateful, who grants all desires to those who worship you, and for whom gain and loss of self mean nothing? “By good fortune, O Janardana, you have appeared before us here, though even the lords of yoga and the gods find you hard to reach. Please, quickly cut for us the bonds of delusion—attachment to children, wife, wealth, relatives, home, body, and so on—which are your own maya.” Thus worshipped and praised by the devoted Akrura, the blessed Lord Hari smiled and spoke to him, his words enchanting the heart of his devotee.