In Goloka, Radha heard that Krishna had been with Viraja. Her companions brought the news. Angered, she withdrew into her chamber. Krishna came to her doorway with His friend Shridama. Radha spoke to Him sharply. She told Him to go to the other beloveds who were dear to Him. Viraja had taken the form of a river. Radha bitterly suggested that He might become a river beside her.
After speaking, Radha remained lying upon the ground. Her companions surrounded her. Some carried fly-whisks, fine cloth, betel, and garlands. Others held scented water, lotuses, and ornaments. There were companions with flute, vina, and small cymbals. Some were skilled in singing and dancing. Others attended her feet or stood with joined palms. At the door, companions holding staffs kept watch.
They did not allow Krishna to enter. Radha again told Him to leave her presence. She addressed several of her companions by name. She asked them to stop Him at the doorway. Then the gopis spoke to Krishna in different ways. Some advised Him to withdraw for a little while. They would come to Him when Radha's anger had subsided. Others reminded Him that she could speak so only to the One closest to her.
Some invited Krishna to approach and soothe her. Others urged Him to wait elsewhere until the moment was suitable. Their replies included affection, teasing, and sharp words. They continued to keep Him from going inside. Krishna remained composed. The passage describes His smiling face. He did not answer their anger with anger. At last He went to another dwelling.
Shridama became angry at what he had witnessed. He addressed Radha as mother. Why, he asked, had she spoken so harshly to his Lord? He began to praise Krishna's greatness. Krishna was the source of the universe and the Lord of the gods. Lakshmi served Him, and Sarasvati praised Him. Even the Vedas could not encompass His glory. Shridama urged Radha to give up her anger.
He spoke of Brahma, Shiva, Shesha, and Dharma serving Krishna. He declared that everything rested under the Lord's power. But his words, too, were harsh. On hearing them, Radha's anger increased. She came out and answered Shridama. He praised his father, she said, while condemning his mother. She compared his criticism to the conduct of demons. Then she pronounced that he should leave Goloka and take a demonic birth.
Radha fell silent after pronouncing the curse. Her companions continued to attend her. Shridama, trembling with anger, answered with a curse of his own. He said that she too would take birth on earth. There she would meet Krishna and wander with Him in the forest. But a separation of a hundred years would follow. After reunion, she would return to Goloka. These were the consequences spoken in their quarrel.
Shridama bowed to Radha and went before Krishna. He bowed to Him and told the whole sequence of events. Then he wept. Krishna told him to go to earth. He would become a powerful ruler among the demons. In time he would leave that body through Shiva's trident. By Krishna's blessing, he would come back to Him. Shridama heard Krishna's reply and remained sorrowful.
Shridama made one request of Krishna. He asked never to be deprived of devotion to Him. Then he bowed and went out. Radha followed him, weeping. She called to him as her son and asked where he was going. Shridama bowed to her in return. He too wept, overcome by love. The angry exchange ended in mutual sorrow.
After Shridama left, Radha went to Krishna. She told Him all that had happened. Krishna answered His grief-stricken beloved. The chapter says that He consoled her. Its narrator links Shridama with his later birth as Tulasi's husband Shankhachuda. In due course that being returned to the Lord. The account also tells of Radha coming to earth with Krishna. She took birth in Vrishabhanu's home.