The friends noticed how love for Krishna had changed the gopis. They brought dark-blue jeweled ornaments, eye paint, and blue lotuses before them. The colors of these things recalled Krishna's appearance. Hearing His name and seeing those colors stirred the gopis. Tears gathered in their eyes and their breathing changed. Their friends gently teased them and asked what caused the change. Did these objects possess such power, or was something happening in their hearts? Thus began a conversation about love that could hardly be concealed.
Vishakha addressed her dear friend Radha. She asked where Radha's former enthusiasm for learning had gone. Where was her teaching of parrots and sharikas? Where was her pleasure in watching the peacocks dance? What had become of playing the vina and cheerful conversations with friends? Had Vanamali stolen the precious jewel of her mind? Vishakha compared their connection to the moon and its light. She asked Radha not to hide her condition from her.
Lalita agreed with Vishakha's words. But Radha answered them with clever remarks. The friends continued their play of words and suggestions. Then Shyama arrived, as she did every day to visit Radha. Radha was pleased to see her. She told her what Lalita and Vishakha had been saying. Shyama asked her not to be angry with her friends. She too spoke of the natural closeness between Radha and Krishna.
Radha tried to turn aside that thought with further comparisons. She asked who would wish to bring the sun or moon down by hand. Who would exchange an ordinary stone for a great jewel? Shyama replied that Radha's own words revealed her heart. Radha could no longer conceal her feelings completely. In tears she asked how her love could be worthy of Him. Shyama comforted her and asked her to trust her words. Lalita and Vishakha asked her to tell them what she knew about Krishna.
Shyama related an incident that her companions had overheard. They had been searching for female parrots that had escaped their cage. At that time Krishna was setting out for the forest with His friends. He had His flute, horn, and ornaments of gunja berries and peacock feathers. Passing the gateway, He saw Radha on a terrace. She looked at Him, then turned her gaze away in shyness. Then she turned her head back to see Him again. Krishna spoke to a close friend about this remarkable encounter.
He asked who was lighting up the terrace, appearing for a moment and then disappearing. He compared her to lightning without a cloud and to a golden vine. He wondered whether He was seeing a dream or an illusion. His friend told Him that she was Vrishabhanu's daughter, Radhika. Krishna replied that He had heard about her in a conversation between the mothers. Then He changed the subject and continued toward the forest with the cows. Radha protested that she had never gone alone onto the terrace, and Shyama asked her to forgive her boldness. The conversation ended with Shyama encouraging Radha to trust in her good fortune.