After their play in the Yamuna, the company continued onward. Krishna was with Radha and the sakhis. Their path led toward Govardhan. The hill welcomed them with caves and flowering paths. A precious floor shone within one of its caves. There the song of rasa flowed again. Radha and Krishna sat in a flower-adorned place. Their closeness brightened the whole company. In the poetic picture they resembled cloud and lightning. The sakhis gathered to express their care.
They prepared fragrances and ornaments for Radha. Her happiness was her friends' happiness too. The Yamuna gave her ornaments for her feet. Others approached with thoughtful gifts of their own. Lalita and Vishakha contributed to her adornment. Chandranana brought precious rings. Vrinda joined them with shining ornaments. Every gift had its small place within the whole. It did not matter whose gift drew the most attention. What mattered was serving Radha with love.
The scene left a remembrance on Govardhan. The place became known as Shringara-mandala. From there Krishna led them to Chandra-sarovara. This water too became a place of joyful play. Moonlight rested upon its surface. In the account Chandra himself approached. He offered radiant gifts to Radha and Krishna. Lotuses continued the journey's thread of flowers. No beauty held them there forever. Vraja's forests were still calling them.
The next path led toward Bahulavana. Vines formed thick green passages there. The company had traveled and danced for a long time. Weariness appeared on the sakhis' faces. Krishna noticed it without reproach. He did not seek their happiness at the cost of their strength. He raised the flute and began a new melody. The account names it Megha-mallara. Clouds began gathering above the forest. The sky joined His music.
Fine drops fell between the leaves. A fresh breeze stirred the air. The sakhis felt the change at once. Their tired faces brightened again. The earth received the rain with its fragrance. Vines trembled beneath the light droplets. The flute had connected music with care. The gopis sang Krishna's glories together. Refreshment had not interrupted their closeness. It had become part of it.
The company then reached Talavana. Song began again among the palms. The gopis moved within the joyful circle. But after traveling and dancing they became very thirsty. The Yamuna was now far away. They did not hide their need behind their smiles. They addressed Krishna with folded hands. They asked Him to provide refreshment here. They wished for water they could drink. Their request was simple and direct.
Krishna heard His friends' request. He held His wooden staff in His hand. With it He touched and struck the ground. A clear stream burst from the earth. The dry place gained a new voice. Water began flowing among the palms. The gopis no longer needed to reach the distant river. Refreshment had come to the place where they stood. The spring received the name Vetra-ganga. Its name preserved the memory of Krishna's staff.
Radha and the sakhis approached the water. Their thirst eased and their bodies were refreshed. There was room for laughter and gentle play again. The small stream was a great gift in that moment. Narada emphasizes the holiness of its water. The scene also reveals Krishna's attentiveness. He had heard what they truly needed. He had not required their request to be grand. Water had answered an ordinary thirst. The friends carried that remembrance onward.
In Kumudavana it became Radha's turn to give. She adorned Krishna with different flowers. Champaka and kadamba became part of His ornaments. His garland carried Tulasi's tender presence. Woodland blossoms replaced some of the glitter of jewels. Before the sakhis Krishna resembled a joyful spring. Care now returned to the One who had cared for them. Their song gained new colors. Mridanga, vina and flute could be heard. Rhythm united the whole company.
The journey continued toward Madhuvana. Moonlight rested over the flowering groves again. The breeze carried fragrances from one place to another. Every landscape had preserved a different gift. Govardhan remembered Radha's ornaments. Bahulavana remembered the refreshing melody. Talavana had received the new spring. Kumudavana remembered Krishna's flowers. Their closeness found expression in joy and attentiveness. Vetra-ganga remained a remembrance of a request heard.