Narada told Bahulashva about gopis who had been divine women. Their account begins in Malava, with a cowherd ruler named Nanda-divaspati. He was wealthy and righteous, and had a thousand wives. While on pilgrimage, he came to Mathura. There he heard about Nanda, the ruler of Vraja. He traveled to Gokula to meet him.
Nanda-divaspati met the cowherd king and saw the beauty of Vrindavan. With Nanda's permission, he made his home there. He established a cowherd settlement extending over two yojanas. In Vraja he lived happily among his relatives. By the words of Devala, the divine women were born as his daughters. The chapter likens their radiance to flames.
When those daughters saw Krishna, they were captivated by His beauty. Seeking Damodara, they undertook the vow of the month of Magha. Every day they bathed in the Yamuna. They came when the sun was rising. They sang aloud about Krishna's pastimes. Their singing was filled with the joy of love.
Krishna was pleased with them and invited them to choose a blessing. They bowed and stood with their hands joined. They addressed Him as the Lord of all and the cause of causes. Even the greatest yogis, they said, found Him difficult to attain. They asked to see Him always before them. Their request was for His beautiful form holding the flute.
Krishna granted their request. The chapter tells how He remained before their eyes. He was also present within their hearts. His presence was as immediate as though they had just called Him. Narada praises Krishna as complete in Himself. Coming for one purpose, he says, the Lord fulfills countless others.
Narada then offers worship to Krishna in His dancer's form. Yellow cloth is tied about His waist. A peacock-feather crown adorns Him, and His earrings move. He carries His cowherd staff and flute. The chapter presents these gopis as witnesses to the power of devotion. Their closeness, it says, was attained through love rather than philosophical or yogic practice.