In this happy time, when the moon was full, Krishna recalled a promise He had made to the Gopis to reward them richly for their love for Him. So, taking His flute. He went to the forests and stood on the brow of the hill. All about the white moonlight lay, bathing in silver the fruit trees in blossom; soft the winds were, and rich the fragrance that they brought on their breezes. The noises of night alone could be heard. And surveying His world with love-filled eyes, Krishna took up His flute and poured forth the strains that never were heard by man or god until that night on the moon-kissed hill, when all Brindāban in peace did smile. At the sound of those strains, all earth was thrilled in ecstasy. The rocks melted in love; the trees trembled, and the flowers fell on the earth, and men and beasts all pain forgot. And the Gopis knew that Call of Love. Nor heeded they duties, or father, or husband, or children, but turning their heart to the sound of the flute, they followed their heart to Krishna's Feet. At the first note, she who was feeding her household, dropped her food and followed the sound; and she who was nursing her babe, put her babe from her breast and answered the call; another came with toilet incomplete. All forsook duties, husband and children, to find Him who drew them by the sound that was made by His Love. Separately they came, none observing the other. Over thorns and briars and stones they walked; sharp twigs caught their hair, branches detained them; yet heeded they not these obstacles, but onward they went with hands torn and feet bleeding and garments rent and missing, till they stood at the hill where Sree Krishna played and drew from the flute the music entrancing, at which all the rocks and earth did thrill. With eyes maddened with love they gazed on Him there! A wondrous vision was He! The light of the noon-day radiated from Him, and His beautiful eyes with mysterious glances fell on their souls like holy balm! And at that glance their souls were entranced and deepened and became as if one with Him and drank of the love that from Him poured; and all that in them unlike Him was, became as pure as He. And that which in them unlike that Love was, from out of their hearts had flown; and made pure and transparent in that glad place, they drank of that love which doth chain all creation to its Creator—Love. Entirely blessed, they sought no more, nor hoped they more; for each held Perfection in her eyes, and each knew Perfect Love in her heart. CHAPTER XXIV. Silent they stood and gazed on the Beauty, the concentrated love of a world in each eye. A spiritual force that swept from its path all matter was theirs, as they beheld that Centre to which their hearts did gravitate.