All love that hath a cause is of earth! Love that hath even a high spiritual cause is limited in scope, and such love may vanish when its cause is removed. But the Love that is Causeless, All Enduring is. It fadeth not, neither doth it pass away, but by day and by night and throughout all time it waketh and accumulateth ever, for it is the Love Absolute! From the souls of the Gopis the last trace of heaven and earth had vanished, and being resplendent with the glory of this Love Absolute, of the Love that was unto itself substance and satisfaction, was the causeless cause for this Gift of all gifts from the hand of Him who alone could bestow it and alone was that Love Itself. CHAPTER XXI. The summer sun beat down fiercely upon the Gopas and the cattle, when Krishna turned to them, saying: "See the wonder of these trees! Kind, beyond expression, are they. They ask for naught, but what the earth, sky, and sun, the night and day give unto them; yet in all loyalty they grow and give shade unto us, and unto all that wish to partake of their shade. "Their fruits also do they give and their bark and leaves and juices, to all who desire it. "So should man also be, but few are there among men that live but to bestow blessings upon others. "Yet unto you, I say: O my loved companions, only unto them that give of their abundance to all that come within their radius, unto them alone is life a blessing and not a curse. "All men are placed here not of their own free will, not yet unto themselves, but by the will of Love and for others. "And only as the law of give and take is set in operation among men, is man living a natural life. "Ofttimes doth the man wonder why he is unto himself a huge perplexity. "It is only when he forgets his relationship to all mankind that his life a riddle is, and this being so, he comprehendeth not the Maker of himself nor the universe, and failing to do so, how can he know life aright?" After sporting among themselves, the boys spoke to Krishna, saying: "O Krishna! a-hungered are we; where, oh where shall we find food? Canst Thou not assist us?" And Krishna answered them, saying: "Go thou yonder where many Brāhmans are performing religious ceremonies; go to them and in My name say unto them to supply us with food. Say unto them that Krishna is wanting, and ask them therefor." The boys went; but when they delivered unto them the message of Krishna, the Brāhmans answered not, neither gave them the food they wished, but proceeded with the ceremonies that were to give them the taste of Heaven, after the breath had left their bodies. Tired and half famished the boys returned unto Krishna and told Him of their failure to obtain food and also of the indifference with which the Brāhmans had received His message. Then Krishna smiled wisely and told them to hurry to the wives of the Brāhmans. He knowing that women are ever devotional and have illumination, while ofttimes men in darkness are.