Narada continued his account to the king of Mithila. He now spoke about another group of gopis. They were born in the homes of cowherds called the Upanandas. Among them were Vitihotra and Agnibhuk. He also named Samba and Shrikara, Gopati and Shruta, Vrajesha, Pavana and Shanta. These men were wealthy and learned. They were known for good character and generosity. Their homes were filled with children.
By divine instruction, daughters were born in those homes. Some had come from the celestial worlds, while others were earthly gopis. The chapter describes them as endowed with three virtues. Through their pious deeds they became Radha's companions. One day came the great festival of Holi. Krishna arrived to share the festive play. Radha, however, was in a mood of loving displeasure. Her friends noticed His arrival. They approached Her and began to speak.
They spoke of Krishna as the ornament of Vraja. He had come to Her garden for the festival. They described His lively, youthful gaze. His dark curls touched His cheeks and shoulders. His yellow clothing moved with His steps. The ornaments on His ankles were ringing. His crown shone like the rising sun. Armlets gleamed on His arms and necklaces at His throat. His earrings were shaped like makaras. In yellow garments He resembled a cloud beside a rainbow.
Krishna was already covered in red abira and kunkuma. He held a sprinkler for the festive game. His gaze was turned toward Radha's garden. He wished to share the rasa play with Her. Her friends urged Her to set aside Her displeasure. They reminded Her that it was the season of Phalguna. They asked Her to prepare colored water, sandalwood paste and flower nectar. Then She should rise and go to Him with Her companions. They regarded this chance for a festive meeting as precious.
Radha set aside Her loving displeasure. She rose, surrounded by Her friends. Together they went to celebrate Holi. The women of Vraja brought sprinklers full of fragrant water. It contained sandalwood and aguru, musk, yellow turmeric and red kunkuma. Their hands were colored red. They wore yellow garments. Their anklets and ornamented belts were ringing. They sang festive songs, mixing teasing with laughter.
They began throwing handfuls of red abira. The powder scattered in every direction. The ground beneath them became red. The air and the distant quarters filled with the same color. Narada described millions upon millions of throws of fragrant powder. The gopis surrounded Krishna. They held Him with both hands, like flashes of lightning surrounding a cloud. They smeared His face with the red powder. Then they sprayed Him with water mixed with kunkuma.
Krishna manifested as many forms as there were gopis of Vraja. In those forms He shared the festive play with them. With Radha He shone amid the great celebration. Narada compared Them to a cloud and lightning at a moment of rainy twilight. At the end Krishna gave them His new upper garment. Then He set out for Nanda's home. Celestial beings showered flowers. With this image the account of the festival ends.