The men He approached as a friend and a son, and gave and received the love that they craved and felt.
The servant too He met in the way He sought to be known, and by Him he was served and did serve.
Thus to all He gave what they craved to have. Unstinted, unfettered He was in the giving, and none was there in all that land that sought and could not find what their hearts did seek.
And to the maids who opened their pure young hearts for the all-enduring mysterious love. He gave, of His inexhaustible source, the sweet touch that harmonized all things and made the heaven and earth to meet.
All kindred were they, for He was their Parent, and their love was but part of His holy flame.
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!