ABSTRACT
The Bhagavata Purana is couched in the form of a dialogue between a sage and a king. The king is the successor of the Pandavas but is doomed to die within a week for having by accident insulted a holy ascetic. To ensure his salvation, he spends the week listening to the Bhagavata Purana and concentrating his mind on Krishna whom he declares to be his helper. ’ Krishna, however, insists and in the end she entrusts him and Balarama to the other young cowherds, telling them on no account to leave them alone in the forest, but to bring them safely home. The cowherds recognize it, but while they are wondering how to escape, the crane opens its beak and engulfs Krishna. The calves and cowherd children come tumbling out and all praise Krishna for saving them. As Krishna wanders in the forest, the Cowgirls can talk of nothing but his charms.
