In the first month of the DEWY SEASON (Agrahâyana), the girls of Vrindâvana worshipped Kâtyâyani (a name of the Goddess Durga, wife of Śiva). The observances lasted for a month. The girls prayed to Kâtyâyani that they might get Krishna for their husband. They bathed early in the morning every day in the river Yamunâ. One day they left their clothes on the bank and went down into the river to bathe. Krishna took away their clothes. He asked the girls to come up and take them. They did so and the clothes were returned. Krishna then addressing the Gopis said: "O virtuous girls, I know your resolve. It is to worship me. I also approve of it and you must succeed. The desires of those that are absorbed in me do not bear Kârmic fruits. For fried or burnt paddy does not germinate. Go back to Vraja. Your object in worshipping Kâtyâyani is gained. These nights (_i.e._ on nights to come. _Sridhâra_) you shall enjoy with me." KRISHNA AND VEDIC YAJNA (SUMMER AGAIN.) *SKANDHA X. CHAP. 23.* Krishna went over to a distant forest driving cattle with his companions. The summer sun was fierce and the trees gave shade. "Look, O companions" said Krishna, "how noble minded these trees are. They live for others. Themselves they suffer from the winds, the rains, from the sun and frost but they protect us from these. They do not send away one disappointed. They offer their leaves, their flowers, their fruits, their shade, their roots, their bark, their fragrance, their juice, their ashes, their fuel, their buds, and what not. Of all living beings, such only justify their birth as do good to others by their lives, their wealth, their wisdom and their words." (This is introductory as an attack upon the selfish performances of Vedic Brâhmanas. _Sridhâra_.) The boys became hungry and they complained to Râma and Krishna. Krishna said: — "The Brâhmanas are performing Ângirasa Yajna. Take our names and ask them for food." The boys did as they were told but the Brâhmanas heeded them not. Narrow were their desires which did not extend beyond Svarga. But for these, they went through elaborate Karma. Ignorant as they were, they thought themselves to be wise. Yajna was all in all to them but they disregarded the Lord of Yajnas, the direct manifestation of Parama Purusha. They looked upon Krishna as an ordinary man and as Brâhmanas they deemed themselves to be superior to Him. They said neither yea nor nay. So the boys returned unsuccessful to Krishna and Râma. Krishna smiled and asked them to go to the wives of the Brâhmanas. This they did. The Brâhmana women had heard of Krishna and they were eager to see him. Notwithstanding the protests of their husbands, brothers, sons and friends, they hastened to Krishna with dishes full of eatables of all sorts. The ears had heard and the eyes now saw. And it did not take the Brâhmana women long to embrace Krishna and forget their grievances.