In the midst of the spring play, Kusumasava suggested that Krishna withdraw. The gopis are very resourceful, he warned. They might gather again with Radha and their other companions. Then they would wish to answer Him with another game. The friends laughingly noticed his boldness mixed with fear. Krishna told him to point out whom he feared. Why should he be afraid when He was there? Encouraged, Kusumasava went ahead.
He led Krishna toward the place of the atimukta vines. Radha was picking flowers there with Lalita and Her friends. Krishna was met by the gopis' playful glances. He too answered with a glance toward Radha. The poet compares that glance to an arrow piercing bashfulness. Radha replied with Her own smiling glance. Its effect on Krishna was likewise described as a striking arrow. Dark kajal accentuated Radha's eyes.
Seeing Krishna absorbed, Kusumasava again offered his assistance. He put festival balls into His hands. Let Him scatter the gopis, he said, with such support behind Him. Meanwhile Radha raised Her hand. Unnoticed by the others, She threw a red ball at Krishna's chest. That immediately stirred the game. Krishna took a ball in His hand. With playful determination He ran after Radha.
Lalita addressed Him with a witty question. Who knew, she asked, which girl had struck Him? He was chasing their friend in vain without being certain. With smiling glances Radha pointed out Shyama to Him. Shyama was concealed within the circle of gopis. Krishna made her the target of His festive reply. He colored her with fragrant powders and water. The colors covered her forehead, hair, and cheeks.
Bakulamala playfully objected to that choice. He had left the one who threw the ball and was coloring an innocent friend. Through these words she redirected His attention toward Radha. Krishna turned and approached Her with a smile. He challenged Her to show Her strength and throw balls. A joyful call spread among the gopis to surround Him. They answered Him from different sides. The spring game gathered them all around Him once again.
The gopis showered Him with colors and flower balls. They sprayed Him with water fragrant with kunkuma and sandalwood. Krishna scattered them, and they surrounded Him again. Matangi and her company played and sang spring music. Bees, cuckoos, and other birds completed the poetic scene. The friends led by Subala joined the merriment. Some sang, others played instruments or threw festival balls. Kusumasava danced joyfully and laughed aloud.
Krishna then acted weary from their playful encirclement. One gopi took His flute, another His sprinkler. Others took the flower bow and arrows. When one reached for His ornaments, Radha stopped her with a smiling frown. With the edge of Her garment, Radha slowly wiped away His colors and perspiration. She drank in His beauty with Her eyes. She took betel from a friend's hand and offered it to Him Herself. Understanding Her signal, Shyama began fanning Him.
Kusumasava saw Radha caring for Krishna. He raised his arms and declared victory for their company. Now Radha is serving our friend, he boasted. For him that proved that She was defeated. He also boasted that defeat was impossible with such an adviser as himself. With that praise of himself, he danced joyfully. Both companies rejoiced at his wit. The pleased Radha rewarded him with a new necklace.