The gopis undertook a vow, wishing Krishna to become their husband. Their parents considered the desire for a good husband natural. They therefore helped with the preparations. The mothers nevertheless worried whether their daughters could endure the austerity. Their warnings only strengthened the girls' determination. They asked which deity the girls would worship. They wanted to know who would instruct them and what would be needed. The girls replied that they would worship Uma. They accepted the mind as their guide in this service. Their support was the mantra they had received in a dream.
On the chosen auspicious day, they began eating simple food suitable for the vow. They ate only once a day. They slept on the ground. They gave up betel and their usual application of oil. Before dawn they rose and washed their faces. They changed out of their nighttime clothing. They gathered and called to any friends who were late. Then they walked together, holding hands. Their attendants carried the articles of worship. Singing Krishna's qualities, they reached the Yamuna.
First they offered respect to the sacred river. With determination they bathed despite the cold. Then they came out together onto the bank. They removed the water from their bodies and hair. They put on fresh clothing. Meanwhile the sun rose and warmed them with its rays. They chose a clean stretch of white sand untouched by other visitors. With their own hands they cleaned the sand once more. They wondered whether each should worship separately. They decided to worship Katyayani together.
They began the worship with songs of Krishna and offerings of flowers. They started to shape an image of the goddess from sand. The image was completed so quickly that they were astonished. They recognized this as a sign of Her grace. They brought Yamuna water and arranged the offerings. They became quiet and stopped talking. They held Krishna within their hearts. They offered the goddess a seat and a welcome. They presented water for Her feet, arghya, and water for sipping. They also offered madhuparka made from ghee, yogurt, and honey.
Next they presented fragrant oil. They prepared gentle scented powders. They offered bathing water scented with camphor. They presented cloth woven with golden threads. There were also ornaments of different jewels. Fragrant pastes and other perfumes followed. They offered flowers from Vrindavan's six seasons. They presented incense and a camphor lamp. They offered the prepared food, sweets, and milk dishes. Then they recited the mantra asking for Nanda's son as their husband.
They repeated the mantra softly and carefully. They offered betel with cardamom, cloves, and camphor. With lamps they performed arati for the goddess. Then they bowed and praised Her. They described Her as Vishnu's exalted yoga-shakti. They praised Her as peace, patience, knowledge, and nourishment. Again they asked Her to grant them the son of Nanda. At the end they immersed the sand image in the Yamuna. They followed this practice every day until the final days of the month. Then the goddess appeared within each one's heart.
The goddess addressed them with great affection. She said that those who embody love for Krishna have no need of another worship. Still, She accepted the sincerity with which they had approached Her. She assured them that they would soon be close to Krishna. She told them to stop further austerities. Then She withdrew from their inner vision. Auspicious tremors and the serenity of their hearts strengthened their hope. Nevertheless, they decided to complete the vow through the end of the month. On the final day they worshiped with even richer offerings. Then, rejoicing at its completion, they wished to play together in the river.
To keep their festive clothing dry, they left it on the bank. They then entered the Yamuna. The sun's rays softened the cold as they splashed one another. At that time Krishna slipped away unnoticed from tending the cows. A few small companions came with Him. He tied His hair and silenced His ankle bells. With movements of His eyebrows He signaled His friends to remain quiet. He quietly took the gopis' clothing. Then He carefully climbed the kadamba tree. When they wished to come out, the gopis noticed that their clothing was gone.
Seeing no human footprints on the bank, they wondered who had taken it. Then Krishna addressed them from the tree. He invited them to come and collect their clothing. Embarrassed, they remained in the water and urged one another to answer. They reminded Him that He was Nanda's kind son and asked Him to return it. They told Him that they were shivering with cold. Some said they would complain to Nanda. Krishna repeated that He would give them the clothing when they came to Him. At last they approached together, with their faces lowered. He asked them to arrange their hair and bow for their ritual omission toward the deity of the water.
Krishna then said that He was pleased with their sincerity. He returned each one's own clothing to her. The gopis dressed themselves. They remained before Him, filled with joy. Krishna told them that He had long known their desire. He described their love as enduring and deeply established. He explained that love directed to Him becomes filled with His spiritual joy. As boiled or roasted seeds do not sprout, ordinary desire does not develop in the same way within such devotion. He asked them to return to Vraja and assured them of meeting Him on coming nights. Encouraged, the gopis could hardly leave, turning their glances toward Him again.