of Vrindavana stop eating, the piece still in the mouth; they prick up their ears, remain amazed; then they no longer seem alive, but rather recall painted images. So fascinating is Krishna's flute that even animals are enchanted by it. How much more ourselves?

Another gopi spoke: "My friends, not only the animals, but also the inanimate things, like the rivers and lakes of Vrindavana, remain amazed when Krishna, peacock feathers adorning his head, and the body coated mineral powders of Vrindavana, comes to pass. Decorated with leaves and flowers, it looks like a hero. When he plays his flute and, with Balarama, gathers the cows, the river Yamuna (sacred river) stops flowing; she waits until the air carries the dust of her lotus feet to her. Like us, the Yamuna knows misfortune: she does not obtain the mercy of Krishna. She just stays there, stupefied, and soothes her waves, just as we, suffering from the absence of Krishna, we dry our tears.

Krishna is God, the Original Person, the Source of all the forms Visnu-tattvas (Category of divine manifestations, plenary emanations or emanations of plenary emanations of God, the Supreme Person, who have no difference with Him), and the young shepherds are all celestial beings. Sri Visnu (the plenary emanation of Krishna) is always surrounded and adored by different heavenly beings, Siva, Brahma, Indra, Candra ... When Krishna moved through the Vrindavana Forest or walked on Govardhana Hill, the young herdsmen accompanied him. He played his flute to gather his cows. At his sole touch, the trees, plants, and all the vegetation of the forest were immediately awakened to the consciousness of Krishna or consciousness of God. A Krishna conscious being sacrifices everything for the Lord. Although trees and plants are not usually endowed with a highly developed consciousness, all of them, in contact with the Lord and his friends, became aware of God. Then they wanted to offer as an offering all that they possessed, their fruits, their flowers, and the honey which flowed from their branches in an incessant flow.

When Krishna walked on the banks of the Yamuna, one could contemplate his wonderfully decorated face of the tilaka (a sign drawn in clay from a sacred river of which Krishna and his devotees mark their bodies). He wore garlands made of wildflowers and his body was anointed with sandalwood pulp and tulasi leaves. The bumblebees became distracted by the nectar of the rich atmosphere, and God, enchanted by their buzzing, mingled the sounds of his flute; their harmony was so sweet that the fish of the river, the cranes, the swans, the ducks and other birds, taken by its charm, no longer swam, did not fly, but remained there, motionless. Closing their eyes, they entered deep meditation, worshiping Lord Krishna.

A gopi says again: "My friends, Krishna and Balarama are very well dressed; they wear earrings and pearl necklaces. They like to entertain themselves at the top of Govardhana Hill; when Krishna plays his flute, charming the whole creation, everything is bathed in sublime pleasure. When he plays this way, the clouds, for fear of disturbing him, stifle their powerful thunder. They would not want to interfere