As Krishna and the gopis played in Radha-kunda, their bangles began to slip. Krishna made bracelets from lotus stems. He lovingly fitted them beside their bangles. In this way He kept the ornaments upon their arms. The play continued among the lotuses. The poet compared their faces with flowers, and their arms with delicate lotus stems.
Their movements raised waves. Waves from the play met those stirred by the wind. Lotuses and waterbirds swayed. In the poetic image, Radha's face was the moon. Its appearance made blue lotuses and lilies bloom together. Bees could taste the sweetness of the different flowers. The sakhis watched this unusual beauty of blossoms. At that moment Krishna hid among the blue lotuses.
The gopis went to look for Him. In their absorption they mistook a blue lotus for His face. They kissed the flower. Recognizing their mistake, they looked at one another shyly. Then Chitra noticed Radha and Krishna. Their faces were side by side among the lotuses. She called her friends to look. Something truly wonderful, she said, was before them.
Chitra described Radha as a moving golden lotus. In the image, Her long hair became water moss. Her eyes were like two playful birds. A blue lotus moved beside the golden one. It was Krishna's face. The waves brought them together and parted them again. The sakhis enjoyed the poetic comparisons. Krishna then came among them with Radha.
His face resembled a blue lotus surrounded by a circle of golden lotuses. Krishna and the sakhis began making music with the water. They struck its surface with their palms. Sometimes the sounds resembled pataha drums, and sometimes dundubhi drums. The water received the fragrance of Their bodies. In the description it became still more fragrant and refreshing.
Then Krishna and His companions came out upon the bank. The attendants served them with scented oils and preparations. Drops of water fell from their hair. The poet compared these with strings of pearls. Their hair and bodies were cleaned and arranged. Fresh dry clothing replaced their wet garments. Together they went to the lotus temple. There Krishna sat upon the southern terrace.
Radha and Her friends began to adorn Him. She dried and scented His hair with aguru incense. She carefully combed it. Then She raised it and bound it. Around it She arranged a jasmine garland. She added jati, rangana, yuthika and bakula. Ketaki, champaka and other blossoms also formed the decoration. Peacock feathers were set among the flowers.
Strings of gunja beads and pearls adorned the sides of His hair. The decorated crest rose upward. It was fuller below and narrower toward its tip. Its fragrance attracted the bees. The gopis' gazes also remained drawn to it. The poet compared their eyes with bees. The beauty of the crest filled their hearts. Even Krishna marveled at its shadow.
Lalita made a kunkuma tilaka upon Krishna's forehead. Its form resembled the moon. A spot of musk lay in its center, with sandalwood dots around it. Chitra adorned His body with kunkuma and decorative patterns. She also painted beautiful designs. Their lines were another part of the adornment. In the poetic image, they captivated the sakhis' eyes.
The gopis made ornaments from fragrant flowers. They used buds, open blossoms and tender leaves. There were earrings, necklaces and bracelets. They added ornaments for the upper arms, waist and ankles. With these they joyfully beautified Krishna's attire. The attendants then adorned Radha as well. Her flower ornaments were accompanied by suitable clothing. The sakhis were adorned in their turn.