After His evening preparations and meal, Krishna came outside. He wore ornaments, a white head covering, and yellow clothing. Nearby the cows rested in the evening light. The cowherds were preparing to milk them. Krishna too joyfully undertook that work. When the gopis heard of it, they climbed onto the terraces. They wished to watch Him from above. Their glances remained directed toward Him.
Krishna placed the milk vessel between His knees. His fingers moved in the sequence of milking. His head covering loosened slightly as He moved. Milk abundantly filled the vessel. As one vessel filled before the next was used, milk also overflowed onto the ground. The gopis watched the scene attentively. The sight increased their wish to be near Krishna. Then a confidential conversation began among some of them.
One gopi said that her eyes had fulfilled their purpose in seeing Him. But she wished Krishna to come into their own courtyard as well. She began explaining to her companion how this might be arranged. In their village, she said, there were young and restless cows. No one could easily milk them. Without milking, the households lacked the needed dairy products. This caused their elders concern. That circumstance could become a reason to seek Krishna's help.
She proposed that her companion approach the elders. Let her ask why they allowed the cows to remain unmilked. Let her tell them of someone whose presence immediately calmed even the most restless animals. They could bring such a milker into their courtyard themselves. When they asked who He was and where He could be found, the answer was already before them. She should show them Krishna. The gopi thought that the elders would make an effort to solve the household difficulty. Thus their wish for a meeting could find an acceptable occasion.
Her companion pointed out another obstacle. Krishna did not act entirely independently of His parents. Therefore merely wishing Him into their courtyard was not enough. But the gopi devising the plan had an answer to this too. Nanda and Yashoda shared the joys and concerns of all Vraja. She imagined their elders explaining the difficulty with the cows to them. Then Krishna's parents could send Him to help. This was still their consideration of a possible invitation.
While they conversed, Krishna finished milking. Wearing a forest garland, He set out for home. His glances brought joy to the women of Vraja. The gopis continued following Him with their eyes as long as He could be seen. When He disappeared from view, their eyes returned to their surroundings. But their thoughts remained with Him and His resting. The conversation about inviting Him ends here as a plan among the companions. This passage does not narrate Krishna actually going to milk their cows.