And with the light from that flame there awakened within them that which knew but Love, which was but Love; and Krishna it was who filled all their being, and outward consciousness to them was lost. Hail to thy maiden-love, O Gopi! Thy love the triumph of man and God! The crown of Time's blessedness it was! O climax of Happiness Complete! CHAPTER XX. When the days of fasting came, the Gopis, as the Scriptures commanded, began their worship by taking their baths in the sacred river Jumnā. O happy waves, more holy made by the maids, who stood in prayers in thy beds and threw on thy bosom the sweetest lowers that grew where Krishna's feet had fallen! Thus they worshipped each day for a month in the early morn ere the sun was seen, singing on their way the songs of love and praise for Krishna, who was the first and the last and middle of all their day. One morning whilst sporting and singing in the clear cooling waters, they beheld on the limbs of a tree close by the youth Krishna, enthroned in its branches and holding their wearing apparel in His hands. Crowned as usual with flowers was He, but a look all majestic was in His eye. Affrighted with shame they begged for their garments, but Krishna replied: "Come and get your garments either in a body or singly, O damsels, and salute to the sun shining over My head as near you approach." For a moment they hesitated; then that which as a shadow had crossed their heart, and is known as shame, departed from them, and saluting forward they came in a body led by Rādhā, the loveliest and chiefest of the milk-maids, and dripping and lovely before Him they stood. Completely they had surrendered their human will to the will of Him who was Divinity. Selfless, unyoked from all that was worldly, before Him they stood. Uncovered and free as they came from His Heart, again on that Heart they gazed unashamed, for their souls were not covered with vice, or with piety, or even with virtue, but were bare as the Love upon which they looked. They received the garments that He for them had. He, Krishna, the source of pure Love was, and His garments to them were spiritual purity, and clothing themselves with the clothes of His giving, they joyfully went to the homes of their fathers. While Krishna, surveying His world, was enthroned in His kingdom of Love, and as the Gopis came to the feet of Him, who was the author of all Love, so all must come empty and free from all earthly desires to accept that Love for Love's sake. For naught cared the Gopis but Krishna, desiring naught else beside! So only can Love Absolute be gained in absolute self-surrender. He who would have that Love that is its own enjoyment, that Love that a universe unto itself is, doth not find it easy to obtain it by merit of piety or even the fruition of highest spirituality. The bounds of all spirituality it must pass to become the Absolute and Causeless Love. Where spirituality ends, there causeless Love doth begin!