This refers to the day Lord Sri Krsna and His cowherd boys and flocks of animals were present on the pasturing grounds near Mathura. At that time the cowherd boys, being a little hungry, requested food, and Lord Krsna asked them to go to the brahmanas who were engaged nearby in performing yajna, or sacrifice, and to get some food from that yajna. Being so ordered by the Lord, all the cowherd boys went to the brahmanas and asked them for food, but they were denied. After this, the cowherd boys begged food from the wives of the brahmanas. All these wives were very much devoted to Lord Krsna in spontaneous love, and as soon as they heard the request of the cowherd boys and understood that Krsna wanted some food, they immediately left the place of sacrifice. They were very much chastised for this by their husbands, and they were ready to give up their lives. It is the nature of a pure devotee to sacrifice his life for the transcendental loving service of the Lord.