Vishnu

Krishna Steals Gopis' Clothes

The gopis (milkmaids) were bathing as part of the observation of 'the bow of the Goddess'. Bathing at daybreak, they made images of the Goddess Varaja, and then worshipping it with sandal-paste, fragrant flowers and incense. Each of the maidens prayed to the Goddess that she grant them the son of Nanda to them as their husband, before removing their clothes and entering the waters of the Yamuna nude to play merrily with each other.
Krishna having seen all this from a distance, gathered up all their garments and climbed up a kadamba tree, and hung the garments on the branches so that they looked like fluttering banners. The maidens discovering Krishna's trick were simultaneously overcome with love and embarrassment. Krishna spoke to them, saying that he would return the clothes if they came to them of their own accord. The maidens looked at each other, but were too bashful to come out of the water...

Eventually, they said: 'Dear Krishna! Do not be unjust to us. We know that you, whom the whole of Vraja adores, are our beloved. But pray, return our clothes, for with shiver with cold'. However, Krsna refused all pleadings. His face bright with smiles, he said they must obey him first. At this, all the girls covered their sensitive parts with their hands, and came out of the water to Krsna who 'perceiving the purity of their hearts' told them to bow raising joined hands to their heads to atone for the sin of entering the water nude during the observance of a religious vow. The maidens, on hearing of the religious significance of his command attempted to obey him with one hand (the other still aiding their modesty); but Krsna said:

'Respects to the Lord should be paid with both hands'.

The maidens realising he demanded complete surrender "bared their bodies as of their souls" to him, thus becoming washed of all sins, flaws and transgressions. He returned their clothes, and knowing what was in their minds, he bade them to return to Vraja and promised them they would spend autumnal nights in enjoyment with him.

Left
Krsna in the cool waters of the Yamuna, where he played with the gopis; 'Exciting amorous sentiment in the beautiful damsels of Vraja by stretching out his arms, embracing them, touching their hands, locks of hair, thighs, waists, bosoms, by indulging in jokes, playful glances and hidden smiles, Krsna gave endless delight to the gopis.'

There can be no doubt Krishna is the Great Lover. The cowherdesses Varaja and Radha both fall distractedly in love with him. He romps with them in the fragrant forest, torments them with sweetness of the melodies he plays on his flute, rouses longings within them and satisfies them.