One day the women of Vraja came to Mother Yashoda. Krishna's childhood mischief brought them both wonder and delight. Their stern manner was therefore accompanied by smiles and affection. They began describing what her son did in their homes. They said that He released the calves before the cows were milked. The calves immediately began drinking the milk. When the women gathered to rebuke Him, He smiled at them. With that smile, they said, He dissolved their anger.
Then they spoke of butter carefully hidden in dark rooms. According to their complaints, Krishna found it by the radiance of His own body. He brought butter and other milk products out of their hiding places. He ate a little Himself and gave plenty to the monkeys. When the monkeys were full, the women said, He broke the pots and scattered the food. To reach vessels hanging high above Him, He stacked one stool upon another. He climbed up and stretched His hands toward the yogurt and butter. If someone stopped Him, the contents ended up on the ground.
The gopis continued their playful complaint. If one of them caught Him, He freed His hands and ran away. Then He called from a distance for them to wait. They reported that He threatened to burn the house and strike their children. When called a thief, He replied that the house and everything in it belonged to Him. They also mentioned clean courtyards decorated with colored powders. They said He dirtied them with dust and leaves. They said that He was well-behaved before Yashoda but bold in their homes.
Krishna listened to their words with tears He was feigning. Then He addressed His mother with His own reply. He said that the women were not telling the truth. He explained that He visited their homes because of their children. They were His friends, and He wished to see them. He asked Yashoda not to believe the accusations. She placed Him on her lap and took His side with a concealed smile. She told the women that her child was innocent and should not be rebuked again.
Yashoda continued a friendly conversation with the gopis. Through Rohini she arranged for them to be graciously received and sent home. When the women had left, she addressed her son privately once more. This time she gave Him a mother's counsel. She said that a child's playfulness had its place within His own home. But such conduct in other people's houses was not becoming. She advised Him to play in His own courtyard. While instructing Him, she continued to caress Him tenderly.
Then Nanda arrived and called the child to himself. Krishna moved from His mother's lap into His father's embrace. He held Nanda around the neck and complained about His mother. Nanda asked what had happened. Krishna looked at Yashoda and asked her to explain. She repeated the gopis' words to him. Nanda playfully reproached her for believing complaints against their son. He told Krishna to remain with him and not return to her lap.
Just then Krishna hurried back to Yashoda. Both parents laughed at His response. Nanda then continued their conversation about caring for the children. He observed that Krishna sometimes went out alone, without Balarama. He did not consider it good for the brothers to move about without company. He proposed that they always have playmates and capable attendants. Therefore he appointed several wise counselors and young attendants. From then on they were to remain close to both brothers.