On Mount Narada lived the sage Asuri. He was devoted to Krishna and practiced severe austerities. In meditation he saw Him within the lotus of his heart. Krishna was surrounded by light. Radha was beside Him. In this way the sage always contemplated Them together. But one night Krishna did not appear in his meditation. Asuri tried again and again. Unable to see Him, he became distressed. He rose and set out to search for Him.
First he went to Narayana's ashram in Badari. There he did not find Nara-Narayana. Then he reached Mount Lokaloka. He could not see the thousand-headed Lord there either. He asked the Lord's attendants where He had gone. They answered that they did not know. On Shvetadvipa he searched beside the Milk Ocean. But he did not see Him resting upon Shesha. In Vaikuntha he found neither the Lord nor Lakshmi. Even in Goloka's forest bowers he could not find Krishna.
In Goloka he again approached the attendants. Their answer directed him to this universe. Searching for Hari, Asuri reached Kailasa. There he found Shiva absorbed in meditation on Krishna. He bowed and told him about his search. Shiva praised his devotion without personal gain. He told him that Krishna was dancing rasa in Vrindavan. He was with His sakhis. By His divine power He had extended the night to six months. Shiva decided to go there and invited Asuri to accompany him.
The two set out for Vraja. They reached the beautiful forest bowers beside the Yamuna. Women guardians from Goloka stopped them on the path. Holding staffs, they guarded the circle of rasa. Shiva and Asuri explained that they had come to see Krishna. The guardians told them that the gopis entered there. In that secluded circle Krishna was the only male. They directed them first to bathe in Manasa-sarovara. When they did so, they received gopi forms. Then they entered the rasa-mandala.
Before them lay ground adorned with gold and rubies. Madhavi vines and kadamba trees sheltered the grove. The spring moon lit the place. Jewel-adorned steps led down to the Yamuna. Peacocks, swans and cuckoos could be heard. The river breeze moved the young leaves. The courtyards had pillars, banners and golden vessels. White and red flowers adorned the paths. Bees could be heard among the sounds of instruments. The cool breeze carried the fragrance of lotuses.
At the center of the circle they saw Radha and Krishna. The gopis surrounded Them. Radha shone beside dark Shyamasundara. Krishna wore yellow garments and a forest-flower garland. He held His flute and cowherd staff. Kaustubha and His other ornaments adorned His form. Shiva and Asuri saw Them from afar with joined palms. Then they bowed before Krishna's lotus feet. They praised Him as Govinda, Damodara and Lord of Vrindavan. In their prayer they also addressed Him as Radha's beloved.
Krishna, with Radha beside Him, smiled at them. He spoke in a voice deep as a cloud. He recalled their austerities of sixty thousand years. Both were free from selfish expectations. Krishna called the peaceful person without enemies His friend. He offered them the choice of a blessing. Shiva and Asuri bowed to Hari and Radhika. They wished to live in Vrindavan forever. They wanted no gift beyond shelter at Their feet. Krishna granted their request.
Shiva and Asuri remained beside the forest bowers. Their dwelling was near Vamsivata on the Yamuna's bank. Krishna continued the rasa pastime among the gopis. The forest was filled with flower pollen and bees. The night He had extended to six months passed for the gopis like a single happy moment. At dawn they went home in groups. Krishna returned to Nanda's home. Radha went to Vrishabhanu's settlement. The two visitors' request to remain in Vrindavan had been fulfilled.