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Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana: Book 10: Chapter 16: Verses 10-20
Sore distressed to see Him caught in the coils of a cobra with no movement visible (in His body), His loving friends, the cowherds-who had dedicated to Sri Krsna their body, kinsfolk, wealth, wife and luxuries-and whose judgment had been clouded by sorrow followed in succession by grief and fear-dropped down senseless. Lowing in utter distress, cows, bulls and heifers stood as if weeping in (great) fear with their eyes riveted on Sri Krsna. Meanwhile most terrible and grave portents of three kinds foreboding imminent danger (severally) appeared on the earth, in heaven and on the body (of individuals) indeed in Vraja. Noticing then and coming to know of Sri Krsna having gone (out) to pasture the cows unaccompanied by Balarama, the cowherds headed by Nanda felt agitated with fear. Concluding from those ill omens Sri Krsna to have met His death, the cowherds-who did not know Him (as a matter of fact) and whose life was Sri Krsna and on whom.
they had fixed their mind-were overwhelmed with sorrow, grief and fear. Possessing the (motherly) affection of a cow and thirsting to behold Sri Krsna, they all, including children, the aged and womenfolk, 0 dear Pariksit, issued forth from Gokula, distressed in mind. Seeing them so perplexed, Lord Balarama, a scion of Madhu, heartily laughed and said nothing, knowing as He did the glory of Sri Krsna (His younger Brother)_ Searching for their beloved Krsna along the track indicated by His footprints bearing the characteristic marks of the almighty Lord, they headed towards the bank of the Yamuna. Carefully observing at every step on the path trodden by the cows footprints of Sri Krsna (the Protector of the cowherds), distinguished by the marks of a lotus, barley seed, a goad, a thunderbolt and a banner, in the midst of others' footprints, 0 dear one, they marched with quick steps. Spying from a distance Sri Krsna caught in the coils of a cobra and devoid of (all) motion in the middle of the pool, and the cowherds lying senseless on the brink of the pool and (even so) the cattle piteously cry all around, they felt (sore) afflicted and fell into a swoon. With their mind attached to Sri Krsna (the infinite Lord) and recalling His love, smiles, glances and utterances, the cowherd women felt agonized with utmost sorrow when their most beloved One was entrapped by a snake, and saw the three worlds desolate without their Darling.
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