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Pastimes of Lord Balaram from Srimad-Bhagavatam
10th Canto

Lord Balarama Slays the Demon Pralamba

SB 10.18.1 - Sukadeva Gosvami said: Surrounded by His blissful companions, who constantly chanted His glories, Sri Krsna then entered the village of Vraja, which was decorated with herds of cows.

SB 10.18.2 - While Krsna and Balarama were thus enjoying life in Vrndavana in the guise of ordinary cowherd boys, the summer season gradually appeared. This season is not very pleasing to embodied souls.

SB 10.18.3 - Nevertheless, because the Supreme Personality of Godhead was personally staying in Vrndavana along with Balarama, summer manifested the qualities of spring. Such are the features of the land of Vrndavana.

SB 10.18.4 - In Vrndavana, the loud sound of waterfalls covered the crickets' noise, and clusters of trees constantly moistened by spray from those waterfalls beautified the entire area.

SB 10.18.5 - The wind wafting over the waves of the lakes and flowing rivers carried away the pollen of many varieties of lotuses and water lilies and then cooled the entire Vrndavana area. Thus the residents there did not suffer from the heat generated by the blazing summer sun and seasonal forest fires. Indeed, Vrndavana was abundant with fresh green grass.

SB 10.18.6 - With their flowing waves the deep rivers drenched their banks, making them damp and muddy. Thus the rays of the sun, which were as fierce as poison, could not evaporate the earth's sap or parch its green grass.

SB 10.18.7 - Flowers beautifully decorated the forest of Vrndavana, and many varieties of animals and birds filled it with sound. The peacocks and bees sang, and the cuckoos and cranes cooed.

SB 10.18.8 - Intending to engage in pastimes, Lord Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, accompanied by Lord Balarama and surrounded by the cowherd boys and the cows, entered the forest of Vrndavana as He played His flute.

SB 10.18.9 - Decorating themselves with newly grown leaves, along with peacock feathers, garlands, clusters of flower buds, and colored minerals, Balarama, Krsna and Their cowherd friends danced, wrestled and sang.

SB 10.18.10 - As Krsna danced, some of the boys accompanied Him by singing, and others by playing flutes, hand cymbals and buffalo horns, while still others praised His dancing.

SB 10.18.11 - O King, demigods disguised themselves as members of the cowherd community and, just as dramatic dancers praise another dancer, worshiped Krsna and Balarama, who were also appearing as cowherd boys.

SB 10.18.12 - Krsna and Balarama played with their cowherd boyfriends by whirling about, leaping, hurling, slapping and fighting. Sometimes Krsna and Balarama would pull the hair on the boys' heads.

SB 10.18.13 - While the other boys were dancing, O King, Krsna and Balarama would sometimes accompany them with song and instrumental music, and sometimes the two Lords would praise the boys, saying, "Very good! Very good!"

SB 10.18.14 - Sometimes the cowherd boys would play with bilva or kumbha fruits, and sometimes with handfuls of amalaka fruits. At other times they would play the games of trying to touch one another or of trying to identify somebody while one is blindfolded, and sometimes they would imitate animals and birds.

SB 10.18.15 - They would sometimes jump around like frogs, sometimes play various jokes, sometimes ride in swings and sometimes imitate monarchs.

SB 10.18.16 - In this way Krsna and Balarama played all sorts of well-known games as They wandered among the rivers, hills, valleys, bushes, trees and lakes of Vrndavana.

SB 10.18.17 - While Rama, Krsna and Their cowherd friends were thus tending the cows in that Vrndavana forest, the demon Pralamba entered their midst. He had assumed the form of a cowherd boy with the intention of kidnapping Krsna and Balarama.

SB 10.18.18 - Since the Supreme Lord Krsna, who had appeared in the Dasarha dynasty, sees everything, He understood who the demon was. Still, the Lord pretended to accept the demon as a friend, while at the same time seriously considering how to kill him.

SB 10.18.19 - Krsna, who knows all sports and games, then called together the cowherd boys and spoke as follows: "Hey cowherd boys! Let's play now! We'll divide ourselves into two even teams."

SB 10.18.20 - The cowherd boys chose Krsna and Balarama as the leaders of the two parties. Some of the boys were on Krsna's side, and others joined Balarama.

SB 10.18.21 - The boys played various games involving carriers and passengers. In these games the winners would climb up on the backs of the losers, who would have to carry them.

SB 10.18.22 - Thus carrying and being carried by one another, and at the same time tending the cows, the boys followed Krsna to a banyan tree known as Bhanòiraka.

SB 10.18.23 - My dear King Pariksit, when Sridama, Vrsabha and the other members of Lord Balarama's party were victorious in these games, Krsna and His followers had to carry them.

SB 10.18.24 - Defeated, the Supreme Lord Krsna carried Sridama. Bhadrasena carried Vrsabha, and Pralamba carried Balarama, the son of Rohini.

SB 10.18.25 - Considering Lord Krsna invincible, that foremost demon [Pralamba] quickly carried Balarama far beyond the spot where he was supposed to put his passenger down.

SB 10.18.26 - As the great demon carried Balarama, the Lord became as heavy as massive Mount Sumeru, and Pralamba had to slow down. He then resumed his actual form-an effulgent body that was covered with golden ornaments and that resembled a cloud flashing with lightning and carrying the moon.

SB 10.18.27 - When Lord Balarama, who carries the plow weapon, saw the gigantic body of the demon as he moved swiftly in the sky-with his blazing eyes, fiery hair, terrible teeth reaching toward his scowling brows, and an amazing effulgence generated by his armlets, crown and earrings-the Lord seemed to become a little frightened.

SB 10.18.28 - Remembering the actual situation, the fearless Balarama understood that the demon was trying to kidnap Him and take Him away from His companions. The Lord then became furious and struck the demon's head with His hard fist, just as Indra, the king of the demigods, strikes a mountain with his thunderbolt weapon.

SB 10.18.29 - Thus smashed by Balarama's fist, Pralamba's head immediately cracked open. The demon vomited blood from his mouth and lost all consciousness, and then with a great noise he fell lifeless on the ground, like a mountain devastated by Indra.

SB 10.18.30 - The cowherd boys were most astonished to see how the powerful Balarama had killed the demon Pralamba, and they exclaimed, "Excellent! Excellent!"

SB 10.18.31 - They offered Balarama profuse benedictions and then glorified Him, who deserves all glorification. Their minds overwhelmed with ecstatic love, they embraced Him as if He had come back from the dead.

SB 10.18.32 - The sinful Pralamba having been killed, the demigods felt extremely happy, and they showered flower garlands upon Lord Balarama and praised the excellence of His deed.

Krsna and Balarama Enter Mathura

SB 10.41.1 - Sukadeva Gosvami said: While Akrura was still offering prayers, the Supreme Lord Krsna withdrew His form that He had revealed in the water, just as an actor winds up his performance.

SB 10.41.2 - When Akrura saw the vision disappear, he came out of the water and quickly finished his various ritual duties. He then returned to the chariot, astonished.

SB 10.41.3 - Lord Krsna asked Akrura: Have you seen something wonderful on the earth, in the sky or in the water? From your appearance, We think you have.

SB 10.41.4 - Sri Akrura said: Whatever wonderful things the earth, sky or water contain, all exist in You. Since You encompass everything, when I am seeing You, what have I not seen?

SB 10.41.5 - And now that I am seeing You, O Supreme Absolute Truth, in whom reside all amazing things on the earth, in the sky and in the water, what amazing things could I see in this world?

SB 10.41.6 - With these words, Akrura, the son of Gandini, began driving the chariot onward. At the end of the day he arrived in Mathura with Lord Balarama and Lord Krsna.

SB 10.41.7 - Wherever they passed along the road, O King, the village people came forward and looked upon the two sons of Vasudeva with great pleasure. In fact, the villagers could not withdraw their eyes from Them.

SB 10.41.8 - Nanda Maharaja and the other residents of Vrndavana, having reached Mathura ahead of the chariot, had stopped at a garden on the outskirts of the city to wait for Krsna and Balarama.

SB 10.41.9 - After joining Nanda and the others, the Supreme Lord Krsna, the controller of the universe, took humble Akrura's hand in His own and, smiling, spoke as follows.

SB 10.41.10 - [Lord Krsna said:] Take the chariot and enter the city ahead of us. Then go home. After resting here a while, we will go to see the city.

SB 10.41.11 - Sri Akrura said: O master, without the two of You I shall not enter Mathura. I am Your devotee, O Lord, so it is not fair for You to abandon me, since You are always affectionate to Your devotees.

SB 10.41.12 - Come, let us go to my house with Your elder brother, the cowherd men and Your companions. O best of friends, O transcendental Lord, in this way please grace my house with its master.

SB 10.41.13 - I am simply an ordinary householder attached to ritual sacrifices, so please purify my home with the dust of Your lotus feet. By that act of purification, my forefathers, the sacrificial fires and the demigods will all become satisfied.

SB 10.41.14 - By bathing Your feet, the exalted Bali Maharaja attained not only glorious fame and unequaled power but also the final destination of pure devotees.

SB 10.41.15 - The water of the river Ganges has purified the three worlds, having become transcendental by bathing Your feet. Lord Siva accepted that water on his head, and by that water's grace the sons of King Sagara attained to heaven.

SB 10.41.16 - O Lord of lords, master of the universe, O You whose glories it is most pious to hear and chant! O best of the Yadus, O You whose fame is recounted in excellent poetry ! O Supreme Lord Narayana, I offer You my obeisances.

SB 10.41.17 - The Supreme Lord said: I will come to Your house with My elder brother, but first I must satisfy My friends and well-wishers by killing the enemy of the Yadu clan.

SB 10.41.18 - Sukadeva Gosvami said: Thus addressed by the Lord, Akrura entered the city with a heavy heart. He informed King Kamsa of the success of his mission and then went home.

SB 10.41.19 - Lord Krsna desired to see Mathura, so toward evening He took Lord Balarama and the cowherd boys with Him and entered the city.

SB 10.41.20-23 - The Lord saw Mathura, with its tall gates and household entrances made of crystal, its immense archways and main doors of gold, its granaries and other storehouses of copper and brass, and its impregnable moats. Beautifying the city were pleasant gardens and parks. The main intersections were fashioned of gold, and there were mansions with private pleasure gardens, along with guildhalls and many other buildings. Mathura resounded with the calls of peacocks and pet turtledoves, who sat in the small openings of the lattice windows and on the gem-studded floors, and also on the columned balconies and on the ornate rafters in front of the houses. These balconies and rafters were adorned with vaidurya stones, diamonds, crystal quartz, sapphires, coral, pearls and emeralds. All the royal avenues and commercial streets were sprinkled with water, as were the side roads and courtyards, and flower garlands, newly grown sprouts, parched grains and rice had been scattered about everywhere. Gracing the houses' doorways were elaborately decorated pots filled with water, which were bedecked with mango leaves, smeared with yogurt and sandalwood paste, and encircled by flower petals and ribbons. Near the pots were flags, rows of lamps, bunches of flowers and the trunks of banana and betel-nut trees.

SB 10.41.24 - The women of Mathura hurriedly assembled and went forth to see the two sons of Vasudeva as They entered the city on the King's road, surrounded by Their cowherd boyfriends. Some of the women, my dear King, eagerly climbed to the roofs of their houses to see Them.

SB 10.41.25 - Some of the ladies put their clothes and ornaments on backwards, others forgot one of their earrings or ankle bells, and others applied makeup to one eye but not the other.

SB 10.41.26 - Those who were taking their meals abandoned them, others went out without finishing their baths or massages, women who were sleeping at once rose when they heard the commotion, and mothers breast-feeding their infants simply put them aside.

SB 10.41.27 - The lotus-eyed Lord, smiling as He recalled His bold pastimes, captivated those ladies' minds with His glances. He walked with the gait of a lordly elephant in rut, creating a festival for their eyes with His transcendental body, which is the source of pleasure for the divine goddess of fortune.

SB 10.41.28 - The ladies of Mathura had repeatedly heard about Krsna, and thus as soon as they saw Him their hearts melted. They felt honored that He was sprinkling upon them the nectar of His glances and broad smiles. Taking Him into their hearts through their eyes, they embraced Him, the embodiment of all ecstasy, and as their bodily hairs stood on end, O subduer of enemies, they forgot the unlimited distress caused by His absence.

SB 10.41.29 - Their lotus faces blooming with affection, the ladies who had climbed to the roofs of the mansions rained down showers of flowers upon Lord Balarama and Lord Krsna.

SB 10.41.30 - Brahmanas standing along the way honored the two Lords with presentations of yogurt, unbroken barleycorns, pots full of water, garlands, fragrant substances such as sandalwood paste, and other items of worship.

SB 10.41.31 - The women of Mathura exclaimed: Oh, what severe austerities the gopis must have performed to be able to regularly see Krsna and Balarama, who are the greatest source of pleasure for all mankind!

SB 10.41.32 - Seeing a washerman approaching who had been dyeing some clothes, Krsna asked him for the finest laundered garments he had.

SB 10.41.33 - [Lord Krsna said:] Please give suitable garments to the two of Us, who certainly deserve them. If you grant this charity, you will undoubtedly receive the greatest benefit.

SB 10.41.34 - Thus requested by the Supreme Lord, who is perfectly complete in all respects, that arrogant servant of the King became angry and replied insultingly.

SB 10.41.35 - [The washerman said:] You impudent boys! You're accustomed to roaming the mountains and forests, and yet You would dare put on such clothes as these! These are the King's possessions You're asking for!

SB 10.41.36 - Fools, get out of here quickly! Don't beg like this if You want to stay alive. When someone is too bold, the King's men arrest him and kill him and take all his property.

SB 10.41.37 - As the washerman thus spoke brazenly, the son of Devaki became angry, and then merely with His fingertips He separated the man's head from his body.

SB 10.41.38 - The washerman's assistants all dropped their bundles of clothes and fled down the road, scattering in all directions. Lord Krsna then took the clothes.

SB 10.41.39 - Krsna and Balarama put on pairs of garments that especially pleased Them, and then Krsna distributed the remaining clothes among the cowherd boys, leaving some scattered on the ground.

SB 10.41.40 - Thereupon a weaver came forward and, feeling affection for the Lords, nicely adorned Their attire with cloth ornaments of various colors.

SB 10.41.41 - Krsna and Balarama looked resplendent, each in His own unique, wonderfully ornamented outfit. They resembled a pair of young elephants, one white and the other black, decorated for a festive occasion.

SB 10.41.42 - Pleased with the weaver, the Supreme Lord Krsna blessed him that after death he would achieve the liberation of attaining a form like the Lord's, and that while in this world he would enjoy supreme opulence, physical strength, influence, memory and sensory vigor.

SB 10.41.43 - The two Lords then went to the house of the garland-maker Sudama. When Sudama saw Them he at once stood up and then bowed down, placing his head on the ground.

SB 10.41.44 - After offering Them seats and bathing Their feet, Sudama worshiped Them and Their companions with arghya, garlands, pan, sandalwood paste and other presentations.

SB 10.41.45 - [Sudama said:] O Lord, my birth is now sanctified and my family free of contamination. Now that You both have come here, my forefathers, the demigods and the great sages are certainly all satisfied with me.

SB 10.41.46 - You two Lords are the ultimate cause of this entire universe. To bestow sustenance and prosperity upon this realm, You have descended with Your plenary expansions.

SB 10.41.47 - Because You are the well-wishing friends and Supreme Soul of the whole universe, You regard all with unbiased vision. Therefore, although You reciprocate Your devotees' loving worship, You always remain equally disposed toward all living beings.

SB 10.41.48 - Please order me, Your servant, to do whatever You wish. To be engaged by You in some service is certainly a great blessing for anyone.

SB 10.41.49 - [Sukadeva Gosvami continued:] O best of kings, having spoken these words, Sudama could understand what Krsna and Balarama wanted. Thus with great pleasure he presented Them with garlands of fresh, fragrant flowers.

SB 10.41.50 - Beautifully adorned with these garlands, Krsna and Balarama were delighted, and so were Their companions. The two Lords then offered the surrendered Sudama, who was bowing down before Them, whatever benedictions he desired.

SB 10.41.51 - Sudama chose unshakable devotion for Krsna, the Supreme Soul of all existence; friendship with His devotees; and transcendental compassion for all living beings.

SB 10.41.52 - Not only did Lord Krsna grant Sudama these benedictions, but He also awarded him strength, long life, fame, beauty and ever-increasing prosperity for his family. Then Krsna and His elder brother took Their leave.

Lord Balarama Slays Rukmi

SB 10.61.1 - Sukadeva Gosvami said: Each of Lord Krsna's wives gave birth to ten sons, who were not less than their father, having all His personal opulence.

SB 10.61.2 - Because each of these princesses saw that Lord Acyuta never left her palace, each thought herself the Lord's favorite. These women did not understand the full truth about Him.

SB 10.61.3 - The Supreme Lord's wives were fully enchanted by His lovely, lotuslike face, His long arms and large eyes, His loving glances imbued with laughter, and His charming talks with them. But with all their charms these ladies could not conquer the mind of the all-powerful Lord.

SB 10.61.4 - The arched eyebrows of these sixteen thousand queens enchantingly expressed those ladies' secret intentions through coyly smiling sidelong glances. Thus their eyebrows boldly sent forth conjugal messages. Yet even with these arrows of Cupid, and with other means as well, they could not agitate Lord Krsna's senses.

SB 10.61.5 - Thus these women obtained as their husband the master of the goddess of fortune, although even great demigods like Brahma do not know how to approach Him. With ever-increasing pleasure, they felt loving attraction for Him, exchanged smiling glances with Him, eagerly anticipated associating with Him in ever-fresh intimacy and enjoyed in many other ways.

SB 10.61.6 - Although the Supreme Lord's queens each had hundreds of maidservants, they chose to personally serve the Lord by approaching Him humbly, offering Him a seat, worshiping Him with excellent paraphernalia, bathing and massaging His feet, giving Him pan to chew, fanning Him, anointing Him with fragrant sandalwood paste, adorning Him with flower garlands, dressing His hair, arranging His bed, bathing Him and presenting Him with various gifts.

SB 10.61.7 - Among Lord Krsna's wives, each of whom had ten sons, I previously mentioned eight principal queens. I shall now recite for you the names of those eight queens' sons, headed by Pradyumna.

SB 10.61.8-9 - The first son of Queen Rukmini was Pradyumna, and also born of her were Carudesna, Sudesna and the powerful Carudeha, along with Sucaru, Carugupta, Bhadracaru, Carucandra, Vicaru and Caru, the tenth. None of these sons of Lord Hari was less than his father.

SB 10.61.10-12 - The ten sons of Satyabhama were Bhanu, Subhanu, Svarbhanu, Prabhanu, Bhanuman, Candrabhanu, Brhadbhanu, Atibhanu (the eighth), Sribhanu and Pratibhanu. Samba, Sumitra, Purujit, Satajit, Sahasrajit, Vijaya, Citraketu, Vasuman, Draviòa and Kratu were the sons of Jambavati. These ten, headed by Samba, were their father's favorites.

SB 10.61.13 - The sons of Nagnajiti were Vira, Candra, Asvasena, Citragu, Vegavan, Vrsa, Ama, Saìku, Vasu and the opulent Kunti.

SB 10.61.14 - Sruta, Kavi, Vrsa, Vira, Subahu, Bhadra, Santi, Darsa and Purnamasa were sons of Kalindi. Her youngest son was Somaka.

SB 10.61.15 - Madra's sons were Praghosa, Gatravan, Simha, Bala, Prabala, Ürdhaga, Mahasakti, Saha, Oja and Aparajita.

SB 10.61.16 - Mitravinda's sons were Vrka, Harsa, Anila, Grdhra, Vardhana, Unnada, Mahamsa, Pavana, Vahni and Ksudhi.

SB 10.61.17 - Saìgramajit, Brhatsena, Sura, Praharana, Arijit, Jaya and Subhadra were the sons of Bhadra, together with Vama, Ayur and Satyaka.

SB 10.61.18 - Diptiman, Tamratapta and others were the sons of Lord Krsna and Rohini. Lord Krsna's son Pradyumna fathered the greatly powerful Aniruddha in the womb of Rukmavati, the daughter of Rukmi. O King, this took place while they were living in the city of Bhojakata.

SB 10.61.19 - My dear King, the sons and grandsons of Lord Krsna's children numbered in the tens of millions. Sixteen thousand mothers gave rise to this dynasty.

SB 10.61.20 - King Pariksit said: How could Rukmi give his daughter to his enemy's son? After all, Rukmi had been defeated by Lord Krsna in battle and was waiting for an opportunity to kill Him. Please explain this to me, O learned one-how these two inimical parties became united through marriage.

SB 10.61.21 - Mystic yogis can perfectly see that which has not yet happened, as well as things in the past or present, beyond the senses, remote or blocked by physical obstacles.

SB 10.61.22 - Sri Sukadeva Gosvami said: At her svayam-vara ceremony, Rukmavati herself chose Pradyumna, who was the re-embodiment of Cupid. Then, although He fought alone on a single chariot, Pradyumna defeated the assembled kings in battle and took her away.

SB 10.61.23 - Though Rukmi always remembered his enmity toward Lord Krsna, who had insulted him, in order to please his sister he sanctioned his daughter's marriage to his nephew.

SB 10.61.24 - O King, Bali, the son of Krtavarma, married Rukmini's young daughter, large-eyed Carumati.

SB 10.61.25 - Rukmi gave his granddaughter Rocana to his daughter's son, Aniruddha, despite Rukmi's relentless feud with Lord Hari. Although Rukmi considered this marriage irreligious, he wanted to please his sister, bound as he was by the ropes of affection.

SB 10.61.26 - On the joyous occasion of that marriage, O King, Queen Rukmini, Lord Balarama, Lord Krsna and several of the Lord's sons, headed by Samba and Pradyumna, went to the city of Bhojakata.

SB 10.61.27-28 - After the wedding, a group of arrogant kings headed by the King of Kaliìga told Rukmi, "You should defeat Balarama at dice. He's not expert at dice, O King, but still He's quite addicted to it." Thus advised, Rukmi challenged Balarama and began a gambling match with Him.

SB 10.61.29 - In that match Lord Balarama first accepted a wager of one hundred coins, then one thousand, then ten thousand. Rukmi won this first round, and the King of Kaliìga laughed loudly at Lord Balarama, showing all his teeth. Lord Balarama could not tolerate this.

SB 10.61.30 - Next Rukmi accepted a bet of one hundred thousand coins, which Lord Balarama won. But Rukmi tried to cheat, declaring "I'm the winner!"

SB 10.61.31 - Shaking with anger like the ocean on the full-moon day, handsome Lord Balarama, His naturally reddish eyes even redder in His fury, accepted a wager of one hundred million gold coins.

SB 10.61.32 - Lord Balarama fairly won this wager also, but Rukmi again resorted to cheating and declared, "I have won! Let these witnesses here say what they saw."

SB 10.61.33 - Just then a voice from the sky declared, "Balarama has fairly won this wager. Rukmi is surely lying."

SB 10.61.34 - Urged on by the wicked kings, Rukmi ignored the divine voice. In fact destiny itself was urging Rukmi on, and thus he ridiculed Lord Balarama as follows.

SB 10.61.35 - [Rukmi said:] You cowherds who wander about the forests know nothing about dice. Playing with dice and sporting with arrows are only for kings, not for the likes of You.

SB 10.61.36 - Thus insulted by Rukmi and ridiculed by the kings, Lord Balarama was provoked to anger. In the midst of the auspicious wedding assembly, He raised His club and struck Rukmi dead.

SB 10.61.37 - The King of Kaliìga, who had laughed at Lord Balarama and shown his teeth, tried to run away, but the furious Lord quickly seized him on his tenth step and knocked out all his teeth.

SB 10.61.38 - Tormented by Lord Balarama's club, the other kings fled in fear, their arms, thighs and heads broken and their bodies drenched in blood.

SB 10.61.39 - When His brother-in-law Rukmi was slain, Lord Krsna neither applauded nor protested, O King, for He feared jeopardizing His affectionate ties with either Rukmini or Balarama.

SB 10.61.40 - Then the descendants of Dasarha, headed by Lord Balarama, seated Aniruddha and His bride on a fine chariot and set off from Bhojakata for Dvaraka. Having taken shelter of Lord Madhusudana, they had fulfilled all their purposes.

Lord Balarama Visits Vrndavana

SB 10.65.1 - Sukadeva Gosvami said: O best of the Kurus, once Lord Balarama, eager to visit His well-wishing friends, mounted His chariot and traveled to Nanda Gokula.

SB 10.65.2 - Having long suffered the anxiety of separation, the cowherd men and their wives embraced Lord Balarama. The Lord then offered respects to His parents, and they joyfully greeted Him with prayers.

SB 10.65.3 - [Nanda and Yasoda prayed,] "O descendant of Dasarha, O Lord of the universe, may You and Your younger brother Krsna ever protect us." Saying this, they raised Sri Balarama onto their laps, embraced Him and moistened Him with tears from their eyes.

SB 10.65.4-6 - Lord Balarama then paid proper respects to the elder cowherd men, and the younger ones all greeted Him respectfully. He met them all with smiles, handshakes and so on, dealing personally with each one according to age, degree of friendship, and family relationship. Then, after resting, the Lord accepted a comfortable seat, and they all gathered around Him. With voices faltering out of love for Him, those cowherds, who had dedicated everything to lotus-eyed Krsna, asked about the health of their dear ones [in Dvaraka], and Balarama in turn asked about the cowherds' welfare.

SB 10.65.7 - [The cowherds said:] O Rama, are all our relatives doing well? And Rama, do all of you, with your wives and children, still remember us?

SB 10.65.8 - It is our great fortune that sinful Kamsa has been killed and our dear relatives freed. And it is also our good fortune that our relatives have killed and defeated their enemies and found complete security in a great fortress.

SB 10.65.9 - [Sukadeva Gosvami continued:] Honored to have the personal audience of Lord Balarama, the young gopis, smiled and asked Him, "Is Krsna, the darling of the city women, living happily?

SB 10.65.10 - "Does He remember His family members, especially His father and mother? Do you think He will ever come back even once to see His mother? And does mighty-armed Krsna remember the service we always did for Him?

SB 10.65.11-12 - "For Krsna's sake, O descendant of Dasarha, we abandoned our mothers, fathers, brothers, husbands, children and sisters, even though these family relations are difficult to give up. But now, O Lord, that same Krsna has suddenly abandoned us and gone away, breaking off all affectionate ties with us. And yet how could any woman fail to trust His promises?

SB 10.65.13 - "How can intelligent city women possibly trust the words of one whose heart is so unsteady and who is so ungrateful? They must believe Him because He speaks so wonderfully, and also because His beautiful smiling glances arouse their lust.

SB 10.65.14 - "Why bother talking about Him, dear gopi? Please talk of something else. If He passes His time without us, then we shall similarly pass ours [without Him]."

SB 10.65.15 - While speaking these words, the young cowherd women remembered Lord Sauri's laughter, His pleasing conversations with them, His attractive glances, His style of walking and His loving embraces. Thus they began to cry.

SB 10.65.16 - The Supreme Lord Balarama, the attractor of all, being expert at various kinds of conciliation, consoled the gopis by relaying to them the confidential messages Lord Krsna had sent with Him. These messages deeply touched the gopis' hearts.

SB 10.65.17 - Lord Balarama, the Personality of Godhead, resided there for the two months of Madhu and Madhava, and during the nights He gave His cowherd girlfriends conjugal pleasure.

SB 10.65.18 - In the company of numerous women, Lord Balarama enjoyed in a garden by the Yamuna River. This garden was bathed in the rays of the full moon and caressed by breezes bearing the fragrance of night-blooming lotuses.

SB 10.65.19 - Sent by the demigod Varuna, the divine Varuni liquor flowed from a tree hollow and made the entire forest even more fragrant with its sweet aroma.

SB 10.65.20 - The wind carried to Balarama the fragrance of that flood of sweet liquor, and when He smelled it He went [to the tree]. There He and His female companions drank.

SB 10.65.21 - As the Gandharvas sang His glories, Lord Balarama enjoyed within the brilliant circle of young women. He appeared just like Indra's elephant, the lordly Airavata, enjoying in the company of she-elephants.

SB 10.65.22 - At that time kettledrums resounded in the sky, the Gandharvas joyfully rained down flowers, and the great sages praised Lord Balarama's heroic deeds.

SB 10.65.23 - As His deeds were sung, Lord Halayudha wandered as if inebriated among the various forests with His girlfriends. His eyes rolled from the effects of the liquor.

SB 10.65.24-25 - Intoxicated with joy, Lord Balarama sported flower garlands, including the famous Vaijayanti. He wore a single earring, and beads of perspiration decorated His smiling lotus face like snowflakes. The Lord then summoned the Yamuna River so that He could play in her waters, but she disregarded His command, thinking He was drunk. This angered Balarama, and He began dragging the river with the tip of His plow.

SB 10.65.26 - [Lord Balarama said:] O sinful one disrespecting Me, you do not come when I call you but rather move only by your own whim. Therefore with the tip of My plow I shall bring you here in a hundred streams!

SB 10.65.27 - [Sukadeva Gosvami continued:] Thus scolded by the Lord, O King, the frightened river-goddess Yamuna came and fell at the feet of Sri Balarama, the beloved descendant of Yadu. Trembling, she spoke to Him the following words.

SB 10.65.28 - [Goddess Yamuna said:] Rama, Rama, O mighty-armed one! I know nothing of Your prowess. With a single portion of Yourself You hold up the earth, O Lord of the universe.

SB 10.65.29 - My Lord, please release me. O soul of the universe, I didn't understand Your position as the Supreme Godhead, but now I have surrendered unto You, and You are always kind to Your devotees.

SB 10.65.30 - [Sukadeva Gosvami continued:] Thereupon Lord Balarama released the Yamuna and, like the king of the elephants with his entourage of she-elephants, entered the river's water with His female companions.

SB 10.65.31 - The Lord played in the water to His full satisfaction, and when He came out Goddess Kanti presented Him with blue garments, precious ornaments and a brilliant necklace.

SB 10.65.32 - Lord Balarama dressed Himself in the blue garments and put on the gold necklace. Anointed with fragrances and beautifully adorned, He appeared as resplendent as Indra's royal elephant.

SB 10.65.33 - Even today, O King, one can see how the Yamuna flows through the many channels created when it was dragged by the unlimitedly powerful Lord Balarama. Thus she demonstrates His prowess.

SB 10.65.34 - Thus for Lord Balarama all the nights passed like a single night as He enjoyed in Vraja, His mind enchanted by the exquisite charm and beauty of Vraja's young ladies.

Lord Balarama Slays Dvivida Gorilla

SB 10.67.1 - The glorious King Pariksit said: I wish to hear further about Sri Balarama, the unlimited and immeasurable Supreme Lord, whose activities are all astounding. What else did He do?

SB 10.67.2 - Sri Sukadeva Gosvami said: There was an ape named Dvivida who was a friend of Narakasura's. This powerful Dvivida, the brother of Mainda, had been instructed by King Sugriva.

SB 10.67.3 - To avenge the death of his friend [Naraka], the ape Dvivida ravaged the land, setting fires that burned cities, villages, mines and cowherd dwellings.

SB 10.67.4 - Once Dvivida tore up a number of mountains and used them to devastate all the neighboring kingdoms, especially the province of Anarta, wherein dwelt his friend's killer, Lord Hari.

SB 10.67.5 - Another time he entered the ocean and, with the strength of ten thousand elephants, churned up its water with his arms and thus submerged the coastal regions.

SB 10.67.6 - The wicked ape tore down the trees in the hermitages of exalted sages and contaminated their sacrificial fires with his feces and urine.

SB 10.67.7 - Just as a wasp imprisons smaller insects, he arrogantly threw both men and women into caves in a mountain valley and sealed the caves shut with boulders.

SB 10.67.8 - Once, while Dvivida was thus engaged in harassing the neighboring kingdoms and polluting women of respectable families, he heard very sweet singing coming from Raivataka Mountain. So he went there.

SB 10.67.9-10 - There he saw Sri Balarama, the Lord of the Yadus, adorned with a garland of lotuses and appearing most attractive in every limb. He was singing amidst a crowd of young women, and since He had drunk varuni liquor, His eyes rolled as if He were intoxicated. His body shone brilliantly as He behaved like an elephant in rut.

SB 10.67.11 - The mischievous ape climbed a tree branch and then revealed his presence by shaking the trees and making the sound kilakila.

SB 10.67.12 - When Lord Baladeva's consorts saw the ape's impudence, they began to laugh. They were, after all, young girls who were fond of joking and prone to silliness.

SB 10.67.13 - Even as Lord Balarama looked on, Dvivida insulted the girls by making odd gestures with his eyebrows, coming right in front of them, and showing them his anus.

SB 10.67.14-15 - Angered, Lord Balarama, the best of fighters, hurled a rock at him, but the cunning ape dodged the rock and grabbed the Lord's pot of liquor. Further infuriating Lord Balarama by laughing and by ridiculing Him, wicked Dvivida then broke the pot and offended the Lord even more by pulling at the girls' clothing. Thus the powerful ape, puffed up with false pride, continued to insult Sri Balarama.

SB 10.67.16 - Lord Balarama saw the ape's rude behavior and thought of the disruptions he had created in the surrounding kingdoms. Thus the Lord angrily took up His club and His plow weapon, having decided to put His enemy to death.

SB 10.67.17 - Mighty Dvivida also came forward to do battle. Uprooting a sala tree with one hand, he rushed toward Balarama and struck Him on the head with the tree trunk.

SB 10.67.18 - But Lord Saìkarsana remained as motionless as a mountain and simply grabbed the log as it fell upon His head. He then struck Dvivida with His club, named Sunanda.

SB 10.67.19-21 - Struck on the skull by the Lord's club, Dvivida became brilliantly decorated by the outpour of blood, like a mountain beautified by red oxide. Ignoring the wound, Dvivida uprooted another tree, stripped it of leaves by brute force and struck the Lord again. Now enraged, Lord Balarama shattered the tree into hundreds of pieces, upon which Dvivida grabbed yet another tree and furiously hit the Lord again. This tree, too, the Lord smashed into hundreds of pieces.

SB 10.67.22 - Thus fighting the Lord, who again and again demolished the trees He was attacked with, Dvivida kept on uprooting trees from all sides until the forest was left treeless.

SB 10.67.23 - The angry ape then released a rain of stones upon Lord Balarama, but the wielder of the club easily pulverized them all.

SB 10.67.24 - Dvivida, the most powerful of apes, now clenched his fists at the end of his palm-tree-sized arms, came before Lord Balarama and beat his fists against the Lord's body.

SB 10.67.25 - The furious Lord of the Yadavas then threw aside His club and plow and with His bare hands hammered a blow upon Dvivida's collarbone. The ape collapsed, vomiting blood.

SB 10.67.26 - When he fell, O tiger among the Kurus, Raivataka Mountain shook, along with its cliffs and trees, like a wind-tossed boat at sea.

SB 10.67.27 - In the heavens the demigods, perfect mystics and great sages cried out, "Victory to You! Obeisances to You! Excellent! Well done!" and showered flowers upon the Lord.

SB 10.67.28 - Having thus killed Dvivida, who had disturbed the whole world, the Supreme Lord returned to His capital as the people along the way chanted His glories.

Lord Balarama Goes on Pilgrimage

SB 10.79.1 - Sukadeva Gosvami said: Then, on the new-moon day, O King, a fierce and frightening wind arose, scattering dust all about and spreading the smell of pus everywhere.

SB 10.79.2 - Next, onto the sacrificial arena came a downpour of abominable things sent by Balvala, after which the demon himself appeared, trident in hand.

SB 10.79.3-4 - The immense demon resembled a mass of black carbon. His topknot and beard were like molten copper, and his face had horrible fangs and furrowed eyebrows. Upon seeing him, Lord Balarama thought of His club, which tears to pieces His enemies' armies, and His plow weapon, which punishes the demons. Thus summoned, His two weapons appeared before Him at once.

SB 10.79.5 - With the tip of His plow Lord Balarama caught hold of the demon Balvala as he flew through the sky, and with His club the Lord angrily struck that harasser of brahmanas on the head.

SB 10.79.6 - Balvala cried out in agony and fell to the ground, his forehead cracked open and gushing blood. He resembled a red mountain struck by a lightning bolt.

SB 10.79.7 - The exalted sages honored Lord Rama with sincere prayers and awarded Him infallible blessings. Then they performed His ritual bath, just as the demigods had formally bathed Indra when he killed Vrtra.

SB 10.79.8 - They gave Lord Balarama a Vaijayanti garland of unfading lotuses in which resided the goddess of fortune, and they also gave Him a set of divine garments and jewelry.

SB 10.79.9 - Then, given leave by the sages, the Lord went with a contingent of brahmanas to the Kausiki River, where He bathed. From there He went to the lake from which flows the river Sarayu.

SB 10.79.10 - The Lord followed the course of the Sarayu until He came to Prayaga, where He bathed and then performed rituals to propitiate the demigods and other living beings. Next He went to the asrama of Pulaha Rsi.

SB 10.79.11-15 - Lord Balarama bathed in the Gomati, Ganòaki and Vipasa rivers, and also immersed Himself in the Sona. He went to Gaya, where He worshiped His forefathers, and to the mouth of the Ganges, where He performed purifying ablutions. At Mount Mahendra He saw Lord Parasurama and offered Him prayers, and then He bathed in the seven branches of the Godavari River, and also in the rivers Vena, Pampa and Bhimarathi. Then Lord Balarama met Lord Skanda and visited Sri-saila, the abode of Lord Girisa. In the southern provinces known as Draviòa-desa the Supreme Lord saw the sacred Veìkata Hill, as well as the cities of Kamakosni and Kanci, the exalted Kaveri River and the most holy Sri-raìga, where Lord Krsna has manifested Himself. From there He went to Rsabha Mountain, where Lord Krsna also lives, and to the southern Mathura. Then He came to Setubandha, where the most grievous sins are destroyed.

SB 10.79.16-17 - There at Setubandha [Ramesvaram] Lord Halayudha gave brahmanas ten thousand cows in charity. He then visited the Krtamala and Tamraparni rivers and the great Malaya Mountains. In the Malaya range Lord Balarama found Agastya Rsi sitting in meditation. After bowing down to the sage, the Lord offered him prayers and then received blessings from him. Taking leave from Agastya, He proceeded to the shore of the southern ocean, where He saw Goddess Durga in her form of Kanya-kumari.

SB 10.79.18 - Next He went to Phalguna-tirtha and bathed in the sacred Pancapsara Lake, where Lord Visnu had directly manifested Himself. At this place He gave away another ten thousand cows.

SB 10.79.19-21 - The Supreme Lord then traveled through the kingdoms of Kerala and Trigarta, visiting Lord Siva's sacred city of Gokarna, where Lord Dhurjati [Siva] directly manifests himself. After also visiting Goddess Parvati, who dwells on an island, Lord Balarama went to the holy district of Surparaka and bathed in the Tapi, Payosni and Nirvindhya rivers. He next entered the Danòaka forest and went to the river Reva, along which the city of Mahismati is found. Then He bathed at Manu-tirtha and finally returned to Prabhasa.

SB 10.79.22 - The Lord heard from some brahmanas how all the kings involved in the battle between the Kurus and Panòavas had been killed. From this He concluded that the earth was now relieved of her burden.

SB 10.79.23 - Wanting to stop the club fight then raging between Bhima and Duryodhana on the battlefield, Lord Balarama went to Kuruksetra.

SB 10.79.24 - When Yudhisthira, Lord Krsna, Arjuna and the twin brothers Nakula and Sahadeva saw Lord Balarama, they offered Him respectful obeisances but said nothing, thinking "What has He come here to tell us?"

SB 10.79.25 - Lord Balarama found Duryodhana and Bhima with clubs in their hands, each furiously striving for victory over the other as they circled about skillfully. The Lord addressed them as follows.

SB 10.79.26 - [Lord Balarama said:] King Duryodhana! And Bhima! Listen! You two warriors are equal in fighting prowess. I know that one of you has greater physical power, while the other is better trained in technique.

SB 10.79.27 - Since you are so evenly matched in fighting prowess, I do not see how either of you can win or lose this duel. Therefore please stop this useless battle.

SB 10.79.28 - [Sukadeva Gosvami continued:] They did not accept Lord Balarama's request, O King, although it was logical, for their mutual enmity was irrevocable. Each of them constantly remembered the insults and injuries he had suffered from the other.

SB 10.79.29 - Concluding that the battle was the arrangement of fate, Lord Balarama went back to Dvaraka. There He was greeted by Ugrasena and His other relatives, who were all delighted to see Him.

SB 10.79.30 - Later Lord Balarama returned to Naimisaranya, where the sages joyfully engaged Him, the embodiment of all sacrifice, in performing various kinds of Vedic sacrifice. Lord Balarama was now retired from warfare.

SB 10.79.31 - The all-powerful Lord Balarama bestowed upon the sages pure spiritual knowledge, by which they could see the whole universe within Him and also see Him pervading everything.

SB 10.79.32 - After executing with His wife the avabhrtha ablutions, the beautifully dressed and ornamented Lord Balarama, encircled by His immediate family and other relatives and friends, looked as splendid as the moon surrounded by its effulgent rays.

SB 10.79.33 - Countless other such pastimes were performed by mighty Balarama, the unlimited and immeasurable Supreme Lord, whose mystic Yogamaya power makes Him appear to be a human being.

SB 10.79.34 - All the activities of the unlimited Lord Balarama are amazing. Anyone who regularly remembers them at dawn and dusk will become very dear to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Visnu.

Krsna and Balarama Meet the Inhabitants of Vrndavana

SB 10.82.1 - Sukadeva Gosvami said: Once, while Balarama and Krsna were living in Dvaraka, there occurred a great eclipse of the sun, just as if the end of Lord Brahma's day had come.

SB 10.82.2 - Knowing of this eclipse in advance, O King, many people went to the holy place known as Samanta-pancaka in order to earn pious credit.

SB 10.82.3-6 - After ridding the earth of kings, Lord Parasurama, the foremost of warriors, created huge lakes from the kings' blood at Samantaka-pancaka. Although he is never tainted by karmic reactions, Lord Parasurama performed sacrifices there to instruct people in general; thus he acted like an ordinary person trying to free himself of sins. From all parts of Bharata-varsa a great number of people now came to that Samanta-pancaka on pilgrimage. O descendant of Bharata, among those arriving at the holy place were many Vrsnis, such as Gada, Pradyumna and Samba, hoping to be relieved of their sins; Akrura, Vasudeva, Ahuka and other kings also went there. Aniruddha remained in Dvaraka with Sucandra, Suka and Sarana to guard the city, together with Krtavarma, the commander of their armed forces.

SB 10.82.7-8 - The mighty Yadavas passed with great majesty along the road. They were attended by their soldiers, who rode on chariots rivaling the airplanes of heaven, on horses moving with a rhythmic gait, and on bellowing elephants as huge as clouds. Also with them were many infantrymen as effulgent as celestial Vidyadharas. The Yadavas were so divinely dressed-being adorned with gold necklaces and flower garlands and wearing fine armor-that as they proceeded along the road with their wives they seemed to be demigods flying through the sky.

SB 10.82.9 - At Samanta-pancaka, the saintly Yadavas bathed and then observed a fast with careful attention. Afterward they presented brahmanas with cows bedecked with garments, flower garlands and gold necklaces.

SB 10.82.10 - In accordance with scriptural injunctions, the descendants of Vrsni then bathed once more in Lord Parasurama's lakes and fed first-class brahmanas with sumptuous food. All the while they prayed, "May we be granted devotion to Lord Krsna."

SB 10.82.11 - Then, with the permission of Lord Krsna, their sole object of worship, the Vrsnis ate breakfast and sat down at their leisure beneath trees that gave cooling shade.

SB 10.82.12-13 - The Yadavas saw that many of the kings who had arrived were old friends and relatives-the Matsyas, Usinaras, Kausalyas, Vidarbhas, Kurus, Srnjayas, Kambojas, Kaikayas, Madras, Kuntis and the kings of Anarta and Kerala. They also saw many hundreds of other kings, both allies and adversaries. In addition, my dear King Pariksit, they saw their dear friends Nanda Maharaja and the cowherd men and women, who had been suffering in anxiety for so long.

SB 10.82.14 - As the great joy of seeing one another made the lotuses of their hearts and faces bloom with fresh beauty, the men embraced one another enthusiastically. With tears pouring from their eyes, the hair on their bodies standing on end and their voices choked up, they all felt intense bliss.

SB 10.82.15 - The women glanced at one another with pure smiles of loving friendship. And when they embraced, their breasts, smeared with saffron paste, pressed against one another as their eyes filled with tears of affection.

SB 10.82.16 - They all then offered obeisances to their elders and received respect in turn from their younger relatives. After inquiring from one another about the comfort of their trip and their well-being, they proceeded to talk about Krsna.

SB 10.82.17 - Queen Kunti met with her brothers and sisters and their children, and also with her parents, her brothers' wives and Lord Mukunda. While talking with them she forgot her sorrow.

SB 10.82.18 - Queen Kunti said: My dear, respectable brother, I feel that my desires have been frustrated, because although all of you are most saintly, you forgot me during my calamities.

SB 10.82.19 - Friends and family members-even children, brothers and parents-forget a dear one whom Providence no longer favors.

SB 10.82.20 - Sri Vasudeva said: Dear sister, please do not be angry with us. We are only ordinary men, playthings of fate. Indeed, whether a person acts on his own or is forced by others, he is always under the Supreme Lord's control.

SB 10.82.21 - Harassed by Kamsa, we all fled in various directions, but by the grace of Providence we have now finally been able to return to our homes, my dear sister.

SB 10.82.22 - Sukadeva Gosvami said: Vasudeva, Ugrasena and the other Yadus honored the various kings, who became supremely blissful and content upon seeing Lord Acyuta.

SB 10.82.23-26 - All the royalty present, including Bhisma, Drona, Dhrtarastra, Gandhari and her sons, the Panòavas and their wives, Kunti, Sanjaya, Vidura, Krpacarya, Kuntibhoja, Virata, Bhismaka, the great Nagnajit, Purujit, Drupada, Salya, Dhrstaketu, Kasiraja, Damaghosa, Visalaksa, Maithila, Madra, Kekaya, Yudhamanyu, Susarma, Bahlika with his associates and their sons, and the many other kings subservient to Maharaja Yudhisthira-all of them, O best of kings, were simply amazed to see the transcendental form of Lord Krsna, the abode of all opulence and beauty, standing before them with His consorts.

SB 10.82.27 - After Lord Balarama and Lord Krsna had liberally honored them, with great joy and enthusiasm these kings began to praise the members of the Vrsni clan, Sri Krsna's personal associates.

SB 10.82.28 - [The kings said:] O King of the Bhojas, you alone among men have achieved a truly exalted birth, for you continually behold Lord Krsna, who is rarely visible even to great yogis.

SB 10.82.29-30 - His fame, as broadcast by the Vedas, the water that has washed His feet, and the words He speaks in the form of the revealed scriptures-these thoroughly purify this universe. Although the earth's good fortune was ravaged by time, the touch of His lotus feet has revitalized her, and thus she is raining down on us the fulfillment of all our desires. The same Lord Visnu who makes one forget the goals of heaven and liberation has now entered into marital and blood relationships with you, who otherwise travel on the hellish path of family life. Indeed, in these relationships you see and touch Him directly, walk beside Him, converse with Him, and together with Him lie down to rest, sit at ease and take your meals.

SB 10.82.31 - Sukadeva Gosvami said: When Nanda Maharaja learned that the Yadus had arrived, led by Krsna, he immediately went to see them. The cowherds accompanied him, their various possessions loaded on their wagons.

SB 10.82.32 - Seeing Nanda, the Vrsnis were delighted and stood up like dead bodies coming back to life. Having felt much distress at not seeing him for so long, they held him in a tight embrace.

SB 10.82.33 - Vasudeva embraced Nanda Maharaja with great joy. Beside himself with ecstatic love, Vasudeva remembered the troubles Kamsa had caused him, forcing him to leave his sons in Gokula for Their safety.

SB 10.82.34 - O hero of the Kurus, Krsna and Balarama embraced Their foster parents and bowed down to them, but Their throats were so choked up with tears of love that the two Lords could say nothing.

SB 10.82.35 - Raising their two sons onto their laps and holding Them in their arms, Nanda and saintly mother Yasoda forgot their sorrow.

SB 10.82.36 - Then Rohini and Devaki both embraced the Queen of Vraja, remembering the faithful friendship she had shown them. Their throats choking with tears, they addressed her as follows.

SB 10.82.37 - [Rohini and Devaki said:] What woman could forget the unceasing friendship you and Nanda have shown us, dear Queen of Vraja? There is no way to repay you in this world, even with the wealth of Indra.

SB 10.82.38 - Before these two boys had ever seen Their real parents, you acted as Their parents and gave Them all affectionate care, training, nourishment and protection. They were never afraid, good lady, because you protected Them just as eyelids protect the eyes. Indeed, saintly persons like you never discriminate between outsiders and their own kin.

SB 10.82.39 - Sukadeva Gosvami said: While gazing at their beloved Krsna, the young gopis used to condemn the creator of their eyelids, [which would momentarily block their vision of Him]. Now, seeing Krsna again after such a long separation, with their eyes they took Him into their hearts, and there they embraced Him to their full satisfaction. In this way they became totally absorbed in ecstatic meditation on Him, although those who constantly practice mystic yoga find such absorption difficult to achieve.

SB 10.82.40 - The Supreme Lord approached the gopis in a secluded place as they stood in their ecstatic trance. After embracing each of them and inquiring about their well-being, He laughed and spoke as follows.

SB 10.82.41 - [Lord Krsna said:] My dear girifriends, do you still remember Me? It was for My relatives' sake that I stayed away so long, intent on destroying My enemies.

SB 10.82.42 - Do you perhaps think I'm ungrateful and thus hold Me in contempt? After all, it is the Supreme Lord who brings living beings together and then separates them.

SB 10.82.43 - Just as the wind brings together masses of clouds, blades of grass, wisps of cotton and particles of dust, only to scatter them all again, so the creator deals with His created beings in the same way.

SB 10.82.44 - Rendering devotional service to Me qualifies any living being for eternal life. But by your good fortune you have developed a special loving attitude toward Me, by which you have obtained Me.

SB 10.82.45 - Dear ladies, I am the beginning and end of all created beings and exist both within and without them, just as the elements ether, water, earth, air and fire are the beginning and end of all material objects and exist both within and without them.

SB 10.82.46 - In this way all created things reside within the basic elements of creation, while the spirit souls pervade the creation, remaining in their own true identity. You should see both of these-the material creation and the self-as manifest within Me, the imperishable Supreme Truth.

SB 10.82.47 - Sukadeva Gosvami said: Having thus been instructed by Krsna in spiritual matters, the gopis were freed of all tinges of false ego because of their incessant meditation upon Him. And with their deepening absorption in Him, they came to understand Him fully.

SB 10.82.48 - The gopis spoke thus: Dear Lord, whose navel is just like a lotus flower, Your lotus feet are the only shelter for those who have fallen into the deep well of material existence. Your feet are worshiped and meditated upon by great mystic yogis and highly learned philosophers. We wish that these lotus feet may also be awakened within our hearts, although we are only ordinary persons engaged in household affairs.

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