him without us, and for us without him. Father, mother, brother, husband, kin, what have we not abandoned for his sake? but he is a monument of ingratitude. Yet tell us, does not Krishńa talk of coming here? Falsehood is never, O Krishńa, to be uttered by thee. Verily this is Dámodara, this is Govinda, who has given up his heart to the damsels of the city, who has no longer any regard for us, but looks upon us with disdain." So saying, the Gopís, whose minds were fixed on Krishńa, addressed Ráma in his place, calling him Dámodara and Govinda, and laughed and were merry; and Ráma consoled them by communicating to them agreeable, modest, affectionate, and gentle messages from Krishńa. With the cowherds he talked mirthfully, as he had been wont to do, and rambled along with them over the lands of Vraja 1.

Footnotes

570:1 This visit of Balaráma to Vraja is placed by the Hari Vanśa anterior to the fall of Mathurá; by the Bhágavata, long subsequent to the establishment of the Yadus at Dwáraká.

Next: Chapter XXV

Hinduism

« Previous: The Vishnu Purana: Book V: Chapter XXIII

Next: The Vishnu Purana: Book V: Chapter XXV »