Rainy days had brought fresh grass to Vrindavan. The cows peacefully grazed on the fragrant young shoots. After eating their fill, they lay down to chew the cud. Facing Krishna, they watched Him with tranquil eyes. Meanwhile Krishna played with His cowherd companions. They used young kadamba blossoms as balls for their game. Sometimes the clouds parted and let through the sunlight. Drops of perspiration appeared on Krishna's face as He played.
When He stopped playing, Krishna sat beneath a tree. Clouds gathered over the forest again. The wind carried drops of water and the fragrance of flowering vines. Krishna rested His right lower leg across His left. His herding stick was supported beneath His left arm. Then He played His flute in raga Mallar. The sound drew the deer toward Him. The cows raised their ears, and Krishna also listened to His companions.
The rain became heavier. The poet compares it to the clouds' tears of joy. The cows endured the water without distress. The rain cooled the heat of their bodies. The boys noticed the rain falling on Krishna. They raised the ends of their own cloths above His head. The fabric became a simple canopy. Water poured from it toward the ground instead of onto Krishna.
The boys addressed Him with affectionate teasing. They said that Mallar truly called the clouds. But it was His playing, they joked, that had made them weep so much. They asked Him to finish the music and set out. Through the thick clouds they could no longer judge the time by the sun. They said they would get the resting cows up from the ground. Krishna heard their cheerful words with a smile. Then He directed the herd along the path with His flute.
The cows moved slowly, heavy with milk. Krishna urged them onward with the familiar sound. Their hooves raised no dust from the damp ground. The rain-washed village came into view in the distance. Krishna brought the cows to the spacious cowshed. With an affectionate glance He sent His companions to their homes. At home His mother served Him food and drink. He spent the night on the soft bed she had prepared for Him.