Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana Book 10 Chapter 22:26-38

Book 10: Twenty-two Chapter (First Half)

Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana: Book 10: Chapter 22: Verses 26-38 The craving for enjoyment on the part of those whose mind is devoted to Me cannot lead to (further) enjoyment even as seeds of grain (once) fried or boiled are not as a general rule intended to be sown. Go (back), 0 ! damsels, to Vraja. You stand accomplished of your purpose and will sport with Me during the coming (autumnal) nights, for which perpose you have observed this vow in the form of worship of the Goddess, 0 virtuous girls !" Sri Suka continued : Thus commanded by the Lord and having (virtually) realized their ambition, the maidens returned to Vraja with great difficulty, contemplating on His lotus-feet. Accompanied by cowherd boys and pasturing the cows Lord Sri Krsna (the Son of Devaki), one day (during the following hot weather), went far away from Vrndavana along-with His elder brother (Balarama). Perceiving the trees, which played the role of umbrellas to Him with their shade in the scorching rays of the summer sun, the Lord addressed the cowherd boys of Vraja (as follows):- O Stokakrspa, Amsu, Sridama, Subala, Arjuna, Visala, Rsabha, Tejasvi, Devaprastha and Varuthapa, look at these highly blessed beings that live solely for others; enduring storm, showers, sunshine and snow (themselves) they ward them off from us ! Oh ! enviable is the birth-serving as a means of subsistence to all animate beings-of these trees, approaching which suppliants never return disappointed any more than those that seek a benevolent man. By means of (their) leaves, flowers, fruits, shade, roots, bark and wood as well as with their fragrance, exudation, ashes, coal and tender leaves they gratify the desires of others. This much is the fruitfulness of the birth of embodied creatures in this world that they should constantly do good alone to (other) embodied souls through their life, wealth, intellect and speech. Saying so the Lord arrived at the Yamuna passing through rows of trees whose boughs were bent low with clusters of young leaves, fruits and blossoms as well as with bunches of (other) leaves. Prompting the cows to drink of the very sweet, cool and wholesome waters (of the Yamuna), the cowherd boys then drank, 0 protector of men, to their heart's content the tasteful water themselves. Pasturing the cattle at will in the grove on the bank of the Yamuna, 0 king , they approached Sri Krsna and Balarama and, pinched with hunger, spoke as follows. Thus ends the twenty-second discourse entitled, "The Lord steals away the garments of the cowherd maids", in the first half of Book Ten of the great and glorious Bhagavata- Purana, otherwise known as the Paramahamsa-Samhita.