Bhagavatam - Tenth Skandha , Chapter 21

Venu Gitam

Krishna the best of dancers with Karnikaara flowers in his ears with a peacock feather in his head, wearing yellow golden garments and a garland made of Vyjayanti flowers , filling up the holes of his flute with nectar of his lips , entered the forest of Vrindavan , beautifying it with his footmarks while the cowherd boys sang his glories.

Venu Gitam

Suka Deva continued.

Oh Raja! With the advent of autumn season Krishna along with his cowherd boys entered Vrindavan which was cooled by gentle breeze blowing over lakes filled with lotus flowers. The Vrindavan forest was bursting with groups of flowering trees, buzzing with maddened bees and flocks of birds flying as if in formation. Krishna along with Balaram and cowherd boys went about tending to cows and playing his flute, with the music resounding in the mountains.

With a peacock feather in his head , with Karnikaara flowers in his ears , wearing yellow golden garments and a garland made of Vyjayanti flowers , Krishna the best of dancers entered the forest of Vrindavan , beautifying it with his footmarks and filling up the holes of his flute with the nectar of his lips while the cowherd boys sang his glories.

Hearing the song of the flute, inspiring notes of love, some of the ladies of the Vraja described Krishna to their intimate friends. Oh King! As they began to describe the activities of Krishna, their minds got agitated by the flooding of enchanting remembrances. All the women of Vraja were engaged animatedly in describing the same with complete abandon

One of the Gopis said, ‘Oh friends, of those who have eyes we know the real fruit is seeing the faces of the two sons of Maharaj Nanda playing the flute, entering the forest casting loving glances and herding the cows with friends of their own age. Decorated with fresh sprouts of mango tree , peacock feathers, bunches of flowers, wearing garlands with lotuses, and wearing fascinating garments , the two of them shone forth magnificently within the assembly of cowherd boys , like two dancers on the stage while singing ‘.

Envying the flute of Madhusudana another Gopi said ‘ Oh Gopis , what auspicious activities certainly this flute must have preformed to be constant companion of Krishna and enjoy for themselves the nectar of lips of Krishna, which is owed to Gopis, leaving only a taste ‘.

Yet another Gopi marveled at all other beings enjoying the sight , and said , ‘ Friends , Vrindavan is enhancing the reputation of Earth having the privilege of the riches of Krishna's lotus feet , and mountains are filled with creatures standing still at the sight of peacocks dancing inebriated with the music from the flute of Govinda . Fortunate indeed are these female deer though unintelligent, who along with black male deer approached the Maharaj Nanda's son who was wearing fascinating and glorious dresses. Hearing the sound of his Flute they performed worship by their affectionate glances. The celestial damsels travelling in the skies , seeing Krishna possessing a form and character that pleases women , hearing the melodies of his flute , were filled with passion agitating their hearts in excitement , being unaware of the loosened garments and flowers falling from their tresses .'

Another Gopi noticed the response of cows to Krishna's song of melody and said ,' The cows too are drinking the nectar of flute melodies emanating from the lips of Krishna with ears raised high acting as true vessels . The calves too are standing still with tears of joy looking at Govinda with mouth full of milk, not wishing to gulp lest they miss the sight of Govinda ‘.

Yet another Gopi noticed the birds and said, ‘Oh Mother, the flying birds in this forest must be sages, perching themselves on the trees having beautiful twigs and creepers in order to see Krishna. Much like the sages, closing their eyes they hear the sweet vibrations made by playing flute in silence ‘.

Another Gopi said ,' The rivers too hearing the song of Lord seem to be halting , creating whirlpools of desire, while the lotus flowers brought by the waves , seem to seize the two lotus feet of Lord Murari as if in embrace'.

Another Gopi said ‘Seeing Krishna tending to the cattle of Vraja in the hot sun and playing the flute the clouds , appearing as an umbrella above , send down flowers in the form of a mild drizzle . This mountain too is the most fortunate of all the servants of Hari. It has the privilege of touching the feet of Rama and Krishna , and has the privilege of honoring them along with cows, calves and the cowherds by offering drinking water, soft grass , caves , edible roots , etc' .

Yet another Gopi felt the twangs of jealousy at the forest women and said , ‘ Fortunate are the tribal women of the forest who being tormented by the sight of reddish color from the feet of Krishna on the blades of the grass , applied the same to their breasts and their face and relieved their anxiety, fully satisfied. ‘

‘ Oh friends , with cowherds leading the cows , going through the forest carrying the ropes required , hearing the liberal vibrations of the Lords flute having sweet tones , made the mobile creatures to stand still in ecstasy and the non moving creatures to do otherwise. Wonderful indeed!'

This way the Gopis engaged with each other in describing the Bhagavan, who was wandering in the forests of Vrinadvan. The Gopis attained their ecstatic fulfillment with their minds fixed on him.

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Oh friends, with cowherds leading the cows, going through the forest carrying the ropes required, hearing the liberal vibrations of the Lords flute having sweet tones made the mobile creatures to stand still in ecstacy and the non moving creatures to do otherwise. Wonderful!