Chapter 1: The Call of the Flute

In the quiet village of Vrindavan, where the gentle breeze carried the scent of blooming flowers, a melody floated through the air. It was the sound of a flute, enchanting and irresistible, drawing the villagers into its spell. This was no ordinary tune but the divine music of Krishna, the beloved of Vrindavan.

As the sun began to set, painting the sky in shades of red and gold, two friends sat beneath a large banyan tree, their voices barely louder than whispers. "Did you hear it again?" asked one, her eyes wide with wonder.

Her friend nodded, a dreamy look on her face. "Yes, I heard it. How can you not love it? The whole of Vrindavan is bewitched by that flute. But, oh, the pain it brings me! As soon as the sound reaches my ears, my heart and soul become restless. It's as if my body wants to leave the house, and my soul wants to leave my body. I just can't explain it."

Her friend gave her a knowing smile. "You think staying at home will shield you from its pull? None of us can escape it. Why don't you come with me to see where the magic happens? Come to the banks of the Yamuna, where the flute plays day and night."

The first girl hesitated, glancing back towards her home. "I don't know... What if someone sees us?"

"Don't worry," her friend assured her. "We have a puja tomorrow. Come with me then. No one will question us if we go for the puja."

"What puja is it?" the first girl asked, curiosity piqued.

"It's the start of the Katyayani vow," her friend explained with excitement. "All the unmarried girls in Braj keep this vow, wishing for Yashodanandan, Krishna, as their husband."

The first girl’s eyes sparkled with newfound determination. "I’ll keep the vow too. In my dreams, I see only one face, and no one else catches my eye or heart."

"Then it's settled," her friend said, clapping her hands with joy. "Tomorrow morning, we'll go together for the puja. After that, I'll take you to the flute spot."

As the girls parted ways, the village of Vrindavan continued to hum with the sweet melody of Krishna's flute, a tune that bound the hearts of all who heard it.

Meanwhile, in the celestial realms, a wise sage shared the story of the Gopis with a curious king. "Listen to their plea, O King," the sage said. "In Vrindavan, the Gopis know nothing beyond their love for Krishna. They have given everything to Him. This devotion is unlike any other. It is not merely a part of the Lord that has come to them, but the Supreme Himself."

The king leaned forward, a look of wonder on his face. "How do the Gopis share their beloved Krishna among themselves, Acharyadev?" he asked, eager to understand the depths of their devotion.

The sage smiled, his eyes filled with the wisdom of ages. "Their love is pure and selfless, O King. It transcends the bonds of ordinary affection, for in their hearts, they see Krishna as their one true love."

And so, the tale of Krishna and His devoted Gopis unfolded, a story of divine love that enchanted all who heard it.

The sage's voice was calm and steady as he continued the tale. "No, King, they cannot. If they only thought of themselves, no one could do this. But Vrindavan is a unique place. There, everyone has a separate body, but the soul is one. No one sees themselves as different from others, King. Many bodies, but one mind. And that mind is dedicated to Krishna."

The King listened intently, his eyes wide with curiosity. "The Gopis were able to transcend their individual selves," the sage explained. "In thinking of Krishna, they forgot their own names and identities. They lived only for Krishna."

"You have mentioned that the Lord Himself brought the Gopis from Goloka," the King mused. "Is that why the Gopis could forget themselves like this?"

"Yes, King," the sage nodded. "Otherwise, no human could achieve such a state."

The King leaned forward, intrigued. "Did the Gopis not know about their origin, Lord?"

"No, King," the sage replied. "If they did, the divine play would not continue. But the Lord is all-knowing. Understanding the desires of the Gopis' hearts, He once showed them His supreme abode, Vaikuntha."

"How was it possible for them to see Vaikuntha, Lord?" the King asked eagerly.

"You will hear about that first, King," the sage promised. "Alright, let me tell you. One day, Krishna was sitting with the Gopis by the Yamuna River. Leaning against a tree, He was playing His flute. The Gopis, happily, were making garlands of forest flowers to adorn Him. They placed a crown of flowers on His head and marked His forehead with white sandalwood paste."

While decorating Krishna, Vishakha, one of the Gopis, spoke up. "We care for you so much, love you so dearly, yet you don't think of us at all, Madhav," she said with a teasing smile.

Krishna paused, looking at her with surprise. "What are you saying, Vishakha? I don't think of you? No, that can't be what you truly feel."

Another Gopi chimed in, nodding. "Vishakha is right, Krishna. You don't have any care for us."

Krishna laughed, the sound like music to their ears. "This is a serious accusation. Alright, what would you do to make us withdraw this complaint? Tell me, and I will do it."

The Gopis giggled, exchanging glances. "Will you really?" Vishakha challenged. "Alright, I won't let you off so easily, Madhav. Do something for us that you haven't done for anyone else."

Krishna's eyes twinkled with mischief. "Okay, come with me. Let's all take a dip in the Yamuna together. Come on."

As they stepped into the cool waters, a melody of wonder filled the air. The world around them shimmered and changed. "Where have we come, Krishna?" Vishakha gasped, looking around in awe. "What is this place? It's so wonderfully amazing. I've never seen such a beautiful place before, Madhav. Are we in heaven?"

Krishna smiled, his voice gentle. "Heaven is a small word, Vishakha. The place where you are standing has no equal in the three worlds. You have come to the ultimate realm of bliss. This is Vaikuntha. Even great sages and gods cannot come here."

The Gopis were overwhelmed with joy. "We are blessed, we are fulfilled. Our deepest desires from many lifetimes are now complete," they exclaimed.

"Yes, Kesava," they continued, their voices full of reverence. "O Janardana, O Supreme Lord, O Narayana, all our wishes have been fulfilled. But we do not wish to see the ruler of Vaikuntha. We want to rejoice with our Lord of Braj."

Krishna nodded, understanding their hearts. "So be it. Come, I will take you back to Braj."

As the music of the universe played around them, they found themselves back in Vrindavan, their hearts filled with joy and contentment. The King listened, enchanted by the tale. "Oh, what fortune!" he exclaimed. "The luck that people do not have even in many lifetimes, the cowherd boys and girls of Vrindavan have easily received. Those who are part of the Supreme Brahman are equal to Brahman. Vrindavan itself is Vaikuntha, my Lord. Why search for Vaikuntha elsewhere?"

The sage nodded, his eyes shining with wisdom. "Yes, King. In this age of Kali, Vrindavan is Vaikuntha. The King of Joy still plays there with his cowherd friends."

The King leaned back, sighing with satisfaction. "My heart, soul, and mind are eager to hear about those pastimes. Lord, tell me about the vow of Katyayani. What did the girls do, wishing for the King of Joy as their husband? I am impatient to hear, O wise sage."

The sage smiled, ready to continue. "I have told you about the vow of Katyayani, King. The young girls of Braj observe this vow. Not a single girl was left out. The rule of this vow is to wake up before sunrise every day. They must worship Mother Katyayani and eat only a simple meal once a day. The main purpose of this vow must be kept in mind all day. They must pray to the Mother."

Chapter 2: The Sacred Vow

The sage continued his tale, his eyes twinkling with the joy of sharing the divine story. "Why are the girls of Braj observing this vow?" he asked, pausing for dramatic effect. He knew the answer, as did Krishna, the ever-knowing Lord of Braj. Krishna understood the hearts of the girls, for they were a part of him. How could he not know their thoughts and desires?

Krishna, the beloved of Braj, was often found under the shade of a tree or by the flowing river, playing his enchanting flute. He herded cows, laughed with his friends, and sometimes sat alone, lost in his thoughts. Yet, no matter what he did, the girls of Braj were ever watchful. They adored him, cared for him, and in their hearts, there was room for no one but Krishna.

"Did Krishna love them just as much?" the King asked, his curiosity piqued.

The sage smiled warmly. "What can I say about the Lord, King? He loves them more than himself. He longs for them, yearns for them. If they do not come, he becomes restless, and even when they leave, he plays a new tune on his flute, so they come running back. The Lord knows that no one can resist his flute."

During the time of observing the Katyayani vow, the girls had many rituals to perform and couldn't eat properly. Krishna, known as Shyamsundar, took care of them to ensure they didn't grow weak. The girls often shared stories of Krishna's kindness among themselves, their voices filled with admiration and joy.

"Do you know what happened yesterday, friend?" one girl recounted, her eyes wide with wonder. "I was so hungry that I fainted. When I woke up, I found Madhav holding my head in his lap, gently giving me water from the Yamuna. Oh, it wasn't just water, it felt like nectar."

Another girl chimed in, her voice rich with excitement. "Do you want to hear what happened to me, friend? In the scorching sun, while taking a basket to the temple, I felt dizzy. Guess what I saw? Madhav came along, holding the basket with one hand and my hand with the other, guiding me to the temple. All along the way, I couldn't stop looking at Madhav. No matter how much I looked, I couldn't get enough. You're right, friend. In front of his face, the beauty of the whole world seems to fade away."

A third girl, her voice tinged with worry, confessed, "I'm so scared, you know. What if one day I open my eyes and can't see Madhav anymore? What if he leaves us and goes far, far away? What will we do then, friend? How will we live? Everything will be over for us."

"Don't say such things, friend," another replied, trying to comfort her. "Don't speak like that."

Just then, Krishna appeared among them, his presence like a gentle breeze on a hot day. "Madhav, why, what's wrong, friend?" one of the girls asked, noticing his thoughtful expression. "Did the sun touch your moon-like face? Your faces look dark."

Krishna smiled, though his eyes held a hint of concern. "Madhav, are you here? Is it your day off from herding cows? You don't have your flute today. Why are you wandering around so quietly? Did you forget something?"

"In a hurry, I forgot to bring my flute," Krishna admitted with a playful shrug. "Why are you in such a rush, Badhra? What's wrong with you?"

"Nothing's wrong with me. Nothing's wrong at all. What could happen to me? It's you all who should be worried," Badhra teased back.

"Why us? Nothing's wrong with us," another girl protested, laughter in her voice. "Oh, the auspicious time is passing! Aren't you going to bathe? Bathing in the Yamuna during this time brings great blessings. Don't you know that?"

Krishna nodded, mischief dancing in his eyes. "Just seeing you brings us blessings, Keshav, don't you know that? But will you miss the chance of bathing during this auspicious time? Who would be so foolish? Go, go, go, bathe in the Yamuna. Call the other friends. Where are the girls of Braj? Where did you all go, Lalita, Vishakha?"

"Here we are, here we are, we've all come," the girls called out, gathering around him.

"Good, good," Krishna said, pleased. "Listen, friends, today is an auspicious time. Bathing in the Yamuna now brings eternal blessings. Go, go, go, bathe while the time lasts. That's what I came to say."

The girls giggled, their hearts light with joy. "Isn't it, isn't it, truly I didn't know," one of them said, feigning surprise.

Krishna chuckled, watching them with fondness. "Now I must go, or the calves might run off somewhere else. I'll go, I'll go and see."

With that, Krishna turned to leave, but not before casting a final, loving glance at the girls, who were his world, just as he was theirs.

Chapter 3: Mischief by the Yamuna

The sun hung high in the sky, casting shimmering reflections on the Yamuna River. The girls of Braj, their spirits as bright as the day, giggled and chattered excitedly. "Oh, don't forget, please," one of them reminded the others with urgency. "Come on, come on, the day is passing by. Let's go to the Yamuna. We'll have a really nice bath today!"

"Yes," another chimed in with a playful smile, "we'll use up all the water in the Yamuna. You said it, sister. Look at the waves in the water."

"Really? Really?" Lalita exclaimed, her eyes wide with excitement. "Come, Lalita. Hurry up," called Vishakha, beckoning with her hand. "Who knows when the chance will slip away again. Let's take a dip first."

"Oh dear, your idea is surprising, Vishakha," Lalita teased, glancing at her friend’s attire. "Are you planning to take a bath with all your clothes on?"

Vishakha laughed, shaking her head. "Won't the Yamuna wash everything away then? Will you manage your clothes or enjoy the bath?"

"Right," another girl agreed, "the fun of the bath was almost ruined. How can you play in the water with so many clothes? There's no one at this spot, so let's leave our clothes here and get into the water."

"Yes, yes, yes, let's do that," they all chorused, giggling as they piled their clothes on a safe spot by the shore. With cheerful laughter, they hurried into the water, gasping at the cold yet refreshing embrace of the river.

"Ah, you're right!" one of them said, splashing water playfully. "I've never enjoyed a bath like this before. Luckily, Keshav told us about this gathering."

"Do you know what special day it is today?" another girl asked.

"No," came the reply, "and does it matter? If Madhav mentioned it, it must be an important day."

"Come on, let's dive in, let's dive in," they urged each other, thinking fondly of Krishna.

The girls of Braj began diving one after another, their laughter echoing across the water as they splashed and played without a care in the world. So engrossed were they in their merriment that they failed to notice a figure moving on the Yamuna's shore.

"Did something happen on the Yamuna's shore, Acharyadev?" asked a curious voice from the group.

"No, King," the storyteller replied, "nothing like that happened, but the trouble was no less."

For as soon as the girls of Braj began their joyous bath, Krishna himself appeared on the shore. With a mischievous glint in his eye, he collected all their clothes and belongings and climbed up a sturdy Kadamba tree.

After playing in the water for what felt like hours, the girls returned to the shore, only to find it empty. Bewildered, they looked at each other. "What happened?" one of them asked, a note of panic in her voice. "All our clothes were right here. Where did they go?"

"Why can't we see them?" another echoed, scanning the empty shore. "We left them here before we went into the water. Now there's not a single piece of clothing."

"What's going on?" a girl exclaimed, her voice trembling. "Oh my, who took them? There's no one around. Did someone steal our clothes?"

"Oh dear, who would steal them?" another pondered aloud, her brow furrowed in confusion. "Are they even worth stealing? Besides, I've never heard of theft happening in Braj."

"No, no," a voice interjected, "this isn't the work of a thief. It must be the work of some demon. They've stolen all our things. Next, they'll take us too."

"Yes, yes, that could be it," another agreed, fear creeping into her voice. "Let's go back into the Yamuna River. As long as we're in Mother Yamuna's embrace, no one can harm us. We're safe in the water."

"No, no, how can that be?" Lalita asked, shaking her head. "How long can we stay in the water? What's the use of thinking such impossible thoughts? Besides, where Krishna and Balaram are, no demon can be."

"Then what should we do now?" Vishakha wondered aloud, her voice laced with uncertainty. "Where should we look for our clothes? We can't go home like this."

Suddenly, Vishakha's eyes widened as she pointed upwards. "Vishakha, look," she cried, "our clothes are hanging on that tree branch."

"Yes, but how did they get there?" another girl asked, puzzled. "Who took them?"

"It was me, it was me," came a familiar voice, full of mischief. "I brought them here. I have all your clothes with me now."

"What, Madhav?" the girls exclaimed in unison, their expressions a mix of disbelief and amusement. "What have you done? This is not right! Why did you steal our clothes? Give them back."

Krishna, perched on the branch, chuckled. "You were the ones who did wrong. I kept them so that the consequences of your actions wouldn't affect you. Come, come, take your clothes back from me."

"Madhav," one of the girls said with a mock sternness, "this is very unfair of you. We are your partners in many mischiefs. We accept all your pranks. Everything you do seems sweet and charming to us."

"But what you're doing now is not right at all," another added, crossing her arms. "If Mother Yashoda hears about this, she'll be very angry. We'll go and complain to her."

Krishna smiled, knowing full well that their playful complaints were part of the fun they all shared together.

Chapter 4: The Lesson by the River

Krishna leaned against a tree, his eyes twinkling with mischief as he looked at the young women in the river. "Alright, alright," he said with a playful grin, "go ahead and complain to Mother Yashoda about me. But you know, it's impossible in this situation. I'm pleading with you, please give us back our clothes."

Krishna chuckled softly. "I never said I wouldn't give them back," he replied. "I said, come and take them. You did wrong. I saved you, and now you're blaming me."

One of the girls raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued by Krishna's reasoning. "Oh, what a fine judgment!" she exclaimed. "We did wrong, did we? Then tell us, what wrong did we do?"

Krishna's expression turned serious, though his eyes still sparkled with amusement. "You insulted Varunadev," he said. "Do you know what would happen if Varunadev got angry?"

The girls exchanged puzzled looks. "What! When did we insult him?" one of them asked, genuinely confused.

"Don't you know," Krishna explained patiently, "bathing naked in a river, sea, or any open water body is an insult to Varunadev? That's what you did. That's why I took your clothes. Otherwise, Varunadev would have been furious."

The girls gasped, their eyes widening with realization. "No, no. I didn’t know that," one of them admitted, her voice tinged with regret. "We really didn’t do anything on purpose."

Krishna nodded, his expression softening. "I know you didn’t do it knowingly," he reassured them. "So, you’re forgiven this time. But admit your mistake and apologize to him. Come out of the water, join your hands, and bow to Lord Varuna. Pray to him. Then you will get your clothes back."

With newfound understanding, the young women stepped out of the water, setting aside their embarrassment. They joined their hands at their chests and bowed to Lord Varuna, their voices sincere as they asked for forgiveness. One by one, Krishna returned their clothes, and laughter filled the air once more. This tale of Govinda’s playful antics in Vrindavan would be remembered as the "Stealing of Clothes."

Elsewhere, in a grand hall, King Parikshit sat deep in thought, his brow furrowed with concern. The wise sage Shuka noticed the king's troubled expression and addressed him gently. "King, what is this? I see worry on your face. Is something troubling you, Parikshit? Whatever questions you have, feel free to ask me. I will answer all your questions."

Parikshit looked up, gratitude shining in his eyes. "You know everything, Lord," he began, "there is nothing to hide from you. But I can’t connect this stealing of clothes with God. Please forgive me, wise sage. Hearing this story, it seems like something a lustful person would do. How could Lord Hari himself do such a thing? If someone did this in my kingdom, I would punish them, Lord. I am a person of poor judgment and misfortune. I am troubled about my Lord. Please save me, Lord. Bring my mind back to the right path."

Shuka nodded, understanding the king's confusion. "You are not at fault, King. Not at all. Anyone in your place would have similar questions upon hearing this. It’s a natural reaction. But do you know the real truth, King? The one you are thinking about is the Supreme Soul himself. He is beyond the three qualities. No impurity can touch him. And those who think otherwise are ordinary people. Their minds are clouded by their senses. With such a mind, one cannot grasp the truth of Sat-Chit-Ananda, Parikshit. It’s not possible. But you are a true devotee of the Lord. You have unwavering faith in him. So, I will reveal this mystery to you."

Parikshit listened intently, his heart swelling with gratitude. "Your grace is boundless, Lord, boundless grace. Even to someone like me, you show such kindness."

Shuka continued, his voice calm and reassuring. "The Gopis are completely devoted to Lord Hari. You have heard this. They have nothing apart from him. Their mind, life, honor, sins, and virtues all belong to him. They are filled with Krishna. Their bodies are pure. No passion or darkness can exist in them. Otherwise, they couldn’t enjoy the bliss of Sat-Chit-Ananda. How could Gopis with dark desires do that, Lord?"

Shuka paused, allowing the king to absorb his words. "There it is, shame, that's the biggest obstacle. They had lost everything. Only that cover of shame was hiding the true selves of the Gopis. Lord Krishna broke that cover. If they couldn't let go of shame, then things like pride, ego, and fear would come along with it, King. Even while living in this world, the Gopis are as pure as Lord Krishna. Why would he let any stain come upon them?"

Parikshit nodded slowly, understanding dawning upon him. "Do you understand now, King? Have all your doubts been answered?"

The king hesitated, then spoke up. "I have one more question, Teacher."

Shuka gestured for him to continue. "Go ahead, Parikshit."

"You mentioned Lord Varuna's anger, but I didn't understand. Why would bathing openly in a water body make Lord Varuna angry?"

Chapter 5: The Sacred Waters and the Mystery of Radha

Parikshit listened intently as Shuka continued, "Bathing openly won't anger the water god, King. But if you bathe naked in a public river, sea, or any other water body, it would. This act is seen as disrespectful."

The king looked puzzled. "Why, Lord? What's the reason behind this? Please tell me."

Shuka smiled, understanding the king's curiosity. "Our civilization was born from the eternal being. Where does that being reside, Parikshit? In water. Lord Narayana himself rests comfortably in the water, right? How do you go to a temple, King? With pure clothes, a pure mind, and pure vision. So, shouldn't we also behave purely towards the seat of the supreme soul, Parikshit?"

Parikshit nodded, his eyes widening with understanding. Shuka continued, "Being naked in a public water body can stir desires and bodily thoughts in others. This taints the water body and spreads impurity in human minds. This impurity then touches society as well. Do you understand now why Lord Varuna would be angry, King?"

"I understand, Lord. I understand," Parikshit said earnestly. "The veil has lifted from my eyes. All the impurities have left my mind. You have shown me the right path."

"Your upbringing has shown you the right path, King. I am just a guide. You are a devotee. That's why Lord Narayana himself has purified your mind. Bow to the Lord, King. Bow to him. It is his grace. You are here to listen to Krishna's stories, King. To listen to the supreme soul's stories."

Parikshit bowed his head in reverence, feeling a warmth spreading through his chest. Shuka continued, "Krishna's pastimes are not just any incarnation's pastimes. Lord Krishna himself has descended in this form. He is beyond qualities, beyond illusion, beyond all impurities and tendencies. How can things like desire, anger, or delusion come to him? He is pure."

The king was silent for a moment, then asked, "Then why does he seem like a human, Lord?"

Shuka chuckled softly. "Do you know the real reason, King? When you add color to water, it looks colorful. That color is our mind. Impurities are actually in our own minds. If you see him with that mind, it will seem like he has impurities too. So be careful, King. Don't look for desire in Krishna's pastimes. Instead, try to rise above impurities and free yourself from bodily thoughts. Otherwise, you won't be able to taste the nectar of those pastimes."

"I understand, Lord," Parikshit said, determination in his voice. "If I can't reach a state of pure clarity, I won't understand his pastimes. From now on, I will try to do just that. Lord, please bless me."

Shuka shook his head gently. "With my blessings, can you truly understand the Supreme Soul, Krishna, Parikshit? No, you cannot. Because I don't have that ability. I am also at His feet, seeking His grace. Only by receiving His blessings can you succeed, O King. Otherwise, everything is in vain."

"Who is He, my Lord?" Parikshit asked, his voice filled with awe.

"She is Radharani, the beloved of Lord Hari, the queen of His heart. Now, let’s talk about her, O King. Why is she called Ladini, my Lord? Who is she really?"

Shuka's eyes twinkled with a mysterious light. "This is a tough question, O King. It cannot be answered easily. You have to feel it. Just as the Supreme Soul cannot be fully explained, neither can His Ladini or spiritual energy. In Vrindavan, Shyamsundar himself sits at Radharani’s feet, holding her feet in his hands, bowing his head in surrender. Radharani cannot be understood through words; she must be felt with the heart. Yet, like Shyam, she too has her divine plays. The sweetness of Vrindavan is built on their combined pastimes. Without one, the other is incomplete."

"Please tell me about this Ladini, my Lord," Parikshit pleaded. "I feel thrilled, and tears roll down my eyes for no reason. I didn’t know I had such joy within me."

Shuka smiled warmly. "This question is not yours alone; even Brahma asked it, O King. Hari himself could not answer, only showed a form. Now, I will tell you about it. Without hearing this, your mind will not open, Parikshit."

"Please, my Lord, tell me. I can’t wait any longer," Parikshit said, his voice quivering with anticipation.

Shuka began to speak, his voice soft and melodic, as if weaving a spell. "The most beautiful girl in the kingdom of Vrishabhanu is named Radha. The gopis of Braj are her friends. But the princess doesn’t know anyone special. But if Radha doesn’t know Shyam, where is the joy in Braj? The gopis, enchanted by Shyamsundar, now opened a secret."