A bumblebee was drawn by the fragrance of the gopis. It moved toward their faces. They turned it away, and it began circling Radha. Its humming did not cease as She waved Her hand. Her bangles rang with the movement. Finally She stood beside Krishna and covered Her face with the edge of His upper cloth.
The bee flew toward the lotus grove. The sakhis told Radha not to be afraid. They said Madhusudana had gone to the padmali. Madhusudana could mean either Krishna or the bee. Padmali could mean the lotus grove or Padma's friend Chandravali. In Her deep absorption, Radha heard the words as news about Krishna. She thought He had gone away to another beloved. Yet He was standing right beside Her.
Krishna gestured to the sakhis. They understood His signal and continued the play. Radha turned to Dhanishtha and asked where He had gone. Dhanishtha answered that He had gone to gather flowers for Her. But Radha still heard the other meaning of the lotus grove. She remembered Shaibya and feared He had gone to Chandravali. She had trusted Dhanishtha's message and come to this place. Now She imagined that Krishna had left Her in Her own dear forest.
Lalita took Radha's hand. She proposed that they should go home. But Radha's mind would not turn away from Krishna. She said it overlooked His faults and dwelt upon His good qualities. She did not want to hear about proper restraint now. She said Her heart and body were overwhelmed. She asked Lalita to show Her beloved to Her quickly. Even a warning about His fickleness could not change Her wish.
Then She saw Krishna in front of Her. On His chest appeared a woman's image. It was Radha's own reflection. She thought it was Chandravali. She turned away, trembling with shyness and jealousy. At Krishna's signal, Kundalata urged Her to meet Him. She asked why Radha turned away when both were eager for the meeting. Radha pointed out the woman She thought She saw on His chest.
Krishna answered with a playful explanation. He said it was not Chandravali. A forest goddess had introduced herself as Radha's friend. According to His story, she had come and embraced Him. She clung so firmly from behind that He could not get free. He said He had begged her to leave. But she would not let Him go. So He asked Radha to restrain this friend of Hers.
Then Lalita leaned close to Radha's ear. She whispered the explanation of the image. Radha lowered Her face. Krishna and the sakhis laughed. Kundalata said Radha had not recognized Her beloved standing before Her. Now She had taken Her own image for another woman. Her fears kept bringing Chandravali to mind. Kundalata marveled at this unusual dance of Her love.