When the sage Narada had departed, Krishna, honored by the cowherds, entered Gokula—the sole focus of the gopis’ loving gaze. Meanwhile, Akrura set out alone in a swift chariot, journeying toward Nanda’s Gokula with the heartfelt desire to see Krishna. As the wheels of his chariot turned, Akrura’s mind overflowed with wonder and gratitude. “There is no one more fortunate than I,” he reflected, “for today I shall behold the face of the wielder of the discus, the Lord who has descended in his own portion. Today, my birth is fulfilled, my night has become truly auspicious, for I will witness the face of Vishnu, whose eyes are like blooming lotus petals. My eyes and my words find their purpose today, for my speech will flow after beholding Vishnu himself. That radiant face, whose remembrance dispels the sins of men, I shall see with my own eyes. “The supreme abode, from whom the Vedas and all their branches have emerged, I shall behold. He who is called the Purusha in sacrifices, the Supreme Person among men, the support of all—him, the Lord of the world, I shall see. Indra, having worshipped him with a hundred sacrifices, attained sovereignty among the immortals; today, I will lay my eyes upon that beginningless Kesava. Neither Brahma, nor Indra, nor Rudra, nor the Ashvins, Vasus, Adityas, nor the hosts of Maruts know his true form—yet he, Hari, will touch me. “He who is the soul of all, who knows all, who is all, who dwells in all beings, who pervades and extends beyond everything—he will speak with me. He who, in the forms of fish, tortoise, boar, horse, lion, and others, has preserved the world—today, the Unborn One will converse with me. The Lord of the world, having assumed a human form by his own will, remains unchanged, even as he takes a body for the sake of his work. He who is infinite, who supports the earth in its place, has descended for the sake of the world; he will address me as ‘Akrura.’ “This illusion of father, son, friend, brother, mother, and kin cannot be overcome by the world—I bow again and again to him. He in whom, when the mind is placed, one crosses the vast ocean of ignorance—salutations to that immeasurable yogi, the embodiment of knowledge. He who is called the Purusha of sacrifice by sacrificers, Vāsudeva by the Sātvatas, and Vishnu by those who know the Vedanta—I bow to him. Just as the foundation upholds the world, the existent and non-existent rest upon that truth—may he show me kindness. Where remembrance brings all auspiciousness, to that eternal, unborn Purusha, Hari, I go for refuge.” Thus, absorbed in contemplation of Vishnu and with a heart humbled in devotion, Akrura arrived at Gokula as the first rays of the sun began to shine. There, at the time when the cows were being milked, he beheld Krishna standing among the calves, his complexion like the deep blue of a blossoming lotus petal. Krishna’s eyes, soft and indistinct like lotus petals, shone with a gentle radiance. His chest was marked with the Srivatsa, his long arms reached down, and his broad chest was prominent and elevated. A charming smile played upon his lotus-like face, and his feet, with high, red nails, were firmly planted on the earth. Krishna was adorned in yellow garments and forest flowers, holding a blue creeper in his hand, with a white lotus as an ornament. His garments shone as white as swans, jasmine, and the moon, and he also wore blue cloth. Near him stood Balabhadra—Balarama—the delight of the Yadus, with arms raised high and a radiant, lotus-like face, surrounded by a garland of clouds, appearing like another Mount Kailasa. Upon seeing those two divine brothers, Akrura’s heart blossomed like a lotus at sunrise; his whole body thrilled with joy, and he became overwhelmed by the sacred sight. “This indeed is the supreme light, the highest state, where the portion of the blessed Vasudeva stands firm,” he thought. “My eyes have attained their purpose, having seen the sustainer of the universe here; may my body, by the grace of the Blessed One, also gain the fruit of contact with his limbs. Will this glorious, infinite form touch my back with his lotus hand, by whose mere touch all sins are destroyed and perfection, free from decay, is attained? “It is he who, like a flash of lightning, casts afar the fierce, terrifying, many-colored streaks of rays, blackening the eyes of the wicked. By him, when Bali placed water, delightful enjoyments were obtained while dwelling on earth, and thus Bali attained immortality, lordship over the gods, and a full Manvantara, free from enemies. Will he, though I have become a receptacle of faults through association with Kamsa—fallen and despised by the good—still accept me, who am stricken by dishonor? “What in this world is unknown to him, the embodiment of knowledge, a mass of pure existence, ever manifest, free from all faults, and abiding in the hearts of all beings? Therefore, with a mind humbled by devotion, I approach the Lord of all lords, the portion of the Supreme Person, Vishnu, who is without beginning, middle, or end.” Thinking thus, the Yadava Akrura approached Govinda, Krishna, and, announcing himself, bowed his head at the feet of Hari. Krishna, whose hands bore the auspicious marks of the banner, thunderbolt, and lotus, touched Akrura, drew him close with affection, and embraced him warmly. After exchanging proper greetings, Bala—Balarama—and Keshava—Krishna—led Akrura into their house together. There, after further exchanges of welcome, Akrura was served a proper meal. Afterwards, he related to them everything: he spoke of how Kamsa, son of Ugrasena, oppressed them, and how the goddess Devaki suffered torment at the hands of that evil-natured demon.