On a summer day Krishna and Balarama went into the forest. The cowherd friends and the cows went with Them. The sun heated the paths fiercely. The poet describes the dust as hot even to the feet. Yet the forest offered coolness to the travelers.
Small waterfalls flowed from hollows in the rocks. The breeze carried fine droplets of water. The trees made a dense canopy of shade. By flowering groves there was cool, fragrant water. There they found relief from the summer heat.
The boys reached the Bhāṇḍīra tree. They wore garlands of blooming jasmine. Some placed śirīṣa flowers by their ears. Others decorated their hair with kuṭaja blossoms. They gathered in the shade with Krishna and Balarama.
The cows had eaten their fill of grass near the waterfall. They settled down peacefully to rest. Nearby the boys began to sing. Some played instruments, while others danced. The summer day became a time for music together.
At times Balarama danced. Then Krishna played His flute and sang. At other times Krishna danced. Balarama and the friends answered Him with song. Thus their play continued while the cows rested in the shade.