On the eighth day of Karttik's light fortnight,
The crescent moon begins to shine more bright,
From that same day Lord Vaasudev became,
A cow herder, called by a Cowherd's name;
Whereas he only tended calves before,
And erst the name of small calf tender bore. (Padma)
Now when Mukunda reached six years of age,
To tend the larger cattle did engage,
And did with Rama and the cowherds rove,
Sporting in each bower and shady grove..... (Bhag.10.15)
At the end of the sixth year Rama and Krishna were inducted into the duties of a cowherd. This marks the beginning of the age period called pauganda, six to ten. Divine Rupa sayeth,
Now when the age pauganda does begin,
His lips redden and his belly is slim;
His neck is creased with three delightsome lines,
Like coiling conch and illustrious shines.
His ornamentation is chiefly made,
Of flowers of diverse colour and shade,
His limbs are decked with rock pigment designs,
And in a silken yellow garment shines.( Bh.R.S )