Radha was sitting privately with Her close companions. She carried longing for Krishna within Her heart. Then Shyama arrived with Bakulamala and a garland of bakula flowers. Shyama began speaking of Radha's good fortune. She recalled the way Krishna had gazed at Radha's face. She said that she had recognized His affection in that glance. Now she was convinced that Radha was the recipient of His love. This realization had brought joy to Shyama herself.
Radha reproached her for such bold words. Krishna, She said, might be loved by all the girls in Gokula. That alone did not establish that He loved any one of them. She compared this with the moon and the night-blooming lotus. The lotus does not open without the moon, yet the moon rises without it. Shyama asked Her not to doubt Her own good fortune. Lalita asked whether this was merely verbal consolation or established knowledge. Shyama called on Bakulamala to describe what she had personally witnessed.
Bakulamala began her account with a day near Govardhan. Krishna was tending the cows with His companions. He had stopped among flowering bakula trees. With His own hands He was weaving a garland from their fragrant blossoms. Bakulamala hid behind a creeper and watched Him unnoticed. Kusumasava stood beside Him with Radha's parrot. He was speaking about Radha and Her affection. Krishna was trying to maintain His outward composure.
Kusumasava proposed that the garland should not lack a fitting purpose. It ought to be given to the one of whom they were speaking. Krishna smiled slightly and asked how this could be accomplished. For a moment Kusumasava had no answer. Just then Padma arrived. She introduced herself as a companion of Chandravali. She said that she had been sent to collect flowers for worshiping Gauri. In particular she sought the bakula flowers of that forest.
Kusumasava asked why Chandravali had not come herself. Padma answered through an image of a black serpent that had troubled her. Her words indirectly referred to Krishna. Their exchange continued with wordplay about the mind, longing, and their remedy. Then Padma asked for the finished bakula garland. Kusumasava replied that it was not intended for someone else. Krishna directed that she receive unstrung flowers instead of the garland. Padma accepted the blossoms and departed.
Then Kusumasava wished that one of Radha's friends would arrive. Thus the garland could find its way to Her. Bakulamala approached, pretending to gather fallen flowers. Kusumasava asked who she was. The parrot recognized her and answered for her. It introduced her as Bakulamala, the friend of Shyama. It explained that Shyama was close to its mistress Radha. There was therefore already a route by which the garland could be delivered.
Kusumasava rejoiced that his wish was beginning to come true. The parrot suggested calling Bakulamala and giving her the garland. Krishna replied that Gokula's girls would not readily answer a jester's summons. Therefore He asked the bird itself to approach her. The parrot invited Bakulamala to come closer to Krishna. It promised her the garland woven by His hands. She playfully objected that girls did not accept garlands from another man. The parrot answered with wordplay: He was the supreme person, not an outsider.
Their discussion became a play upon the meanings of words. Bakulamala acknowledged that the bird had overcome her through its cleverness. Nevertheless she maintained her outward reserve a little longer. Then she approached Krishna. Kusumasava asked Him to send the garland to Radha through her. Thus, he said, His skill in weaving would fulfill its purpose. Krishna lifted the garland in His hand. With a gentle smile He placed it in Bakulamala's hand.
Bakulamala carried the gift back to Shyama. She told her the entire account from its beginning. Then she handed over the bakula garland. Shyama brought her along to Radha. As the account ended, she placed the garland around Radha's neck. To Radha its touch was like Krishna's touch. Joy brought tears and a tender smile. She tried to conceal the strength of Her feelings before Her friends.
Then Radha embraced Bakulamala. Lalita addressed Shyama with another witty observation. Before them, she said, were two Bakulamālas. One was the companion, and the other the bakula garland. Their name was not their only similarity. Both had been touched by Krishna's hand. Now both were close to Radha's neck. Shyama praised Lalita's graceful way of expressing this.