Songs and musical instruments sounded through the spring forest. Krishna and His friends approached the place of celebration. Kusumasava heard another musical company from a distance. He wondered whether it was an echo of their own music. Krishna told him that the sound came from other performers. He suggested finding out where it was coming from. His friend immediately went to look. Ringing bangles and handclaps could also be heard.
First he saw Radha picking madhavi flowers. Lalita and Shyama were nearby. Charuchandra and Chandravali were also taking part in the festival. Kusumasava addressed Lalita with loud objections. He asked why they were picking flowers he regarded as Krishna's. He threatened to report the matter to his friend. Then he quickly returned to Krishna. But he began praising the splendid celebration he had seen.
The friends teased him for praising the other company too much. They said he was intoxicated with madhu, flower nectar. He answered with a play on his own name. Kusumasava does not become intoxicated, he said; he intoxicates everyone else. Other flower nectar works after it has been drunk. His words, he boasted, work as soon as they are heard. Krishna received the joke and sent him to look again. This time Kusumasava ordered Lalita to move away even more loudly.
Lalita answered that they had come according to the festival custom. On the spring day the women honored Madana. She had come with her friend Radha to pick flowers for that purpose. Kusumasava replied that there was no Madana other than Hari. Why should they honor someone who was not before them? He offered to conduct the celebration himself as their priest. He said he would begin with blessings. He invited them to go with him to Krishna.
Radha told Lalita that this capable brahmana deserved an honor. Let Charuchandra and Chandravali welcome him as befitted him. The two immediately drew him into the festive play. They showered him with colored powders and fragrant water. The surprised Kusumasava loudly called for Krishna. He complained that the colors had blinded his eyes. He said that the splashing had left him unable to run away. He portrayed his comic predicament as a great danger.
Krishna heard His friend's cries. Understanding the gopis' joke, He arrived with His companions. He looked at Kusumasava as though deeply offended on his behalf. Then He addressed the gopis with feigned indignation. He asked why they had treated His innocent friend in that way. Now, He said, they should be ready for an answer to their action. He looked toward His companions and took festival balls. With them He began answering the gopis in their play.