Radha and Her friends were near Nandishvara's gate. Kundalata brought their playful talk to a halt. She asked them to look just ahead. There stood Krishna, the one their hearts desired. He was on a new platform of crystal and jewels. It stood close beside the town's entrance.
Kundalata described His morning. He had milked the cows with delight. He had wrestled with the boys His own age. Then He had heard that Radha and Her companions were coming. That news stirred His heart. He had come there to wait for them.
His body bent gracefully in three places. His forest garland swayed and drew humming bees. Earrings moved beside His soft cheeks. His eyes were lively with their own dancing play. The breeze stirred His golden cloth. The poet pictures golden and blue radiance spreading around Him.
His left arm rested upon the shoulder of a dear friend. In His other hand He turned a lotus. The poet compares Radha's ears and eyes with cups. She drank in Kundalata's words and the sight of Krishna. She became deeply absorbed. Krishna's spreading fragrance brought Her back to awareness.
Radha trembled, with tears and the thrill of love. Yet She tried to steady Herself. She asked Her friends whether there was another road. Her feet could not carry Her forward past Krishna. Lalita reminded Her that She was following Her elders' instruction. She urged Her to set aside fear and shyness.
Encouraged by Lalita, Radha began to pass before Him. Radha and Krishna looked at one another in wonder. The sweetness of that exchanged glance overwhelmed Their friends. The poet says even Sarasvati could not describe it. He compares Radha with a moon and Krishna with a chakora. In his image, the moon itself drinks the bird's moonlight.
Each sakhi raised her left hand to adjust her veil. With lowered eyes they passed before Krishna, relishing the sight of His feet. They crossed the gate and loosened their veils a little. A friend asked Radha about the champaka garland Madhumangala had placed on Krishna. Had She understood that joyful sign after He had seen Her? Radha smiled, moved Her brows, teased the friend for imagining others like herself, and quickly entered the inner town.