Spring awakened the forest of Vrindavan. Young vines covered the paths between the trees. Fragrant flowers opened in the morning air. Radha went into the forest with Her friends. The gopis carried baskets for the blossoms. They sought the loveliest ones for worship of the sun. One stopped before a flowering branch. Another carefully held out a basket. Above them bees moved from flower to flower. The friends' conversation accompanied their work.
One gopi exclaimed that Madhava had come. She spoke both of spring and of Krishna. The name held both meanings. Her friends understood her play on words. Flowers and fragrance announced the spring. And voices announced another visitor. Radha looked toward the forest path. Krishna was approaching through the greenery. His appearance changed their merriment. Each sakhi smiled and looked at Radha.
Radha told them Krishna was coming after Her. She asked Her friends to protect Her. There was both alarm and play in Her voice. One friend reminded Her of brave Lalita. Lalita stood close to Radha as a faithful sakhi. The gopis knew how sharp her words could be. But they also knew how deeply she loved her friends. They stood around Radha and continued to laugh. Krishna heard their cheerful conversation. He joined them beneath the flowering branches.
Each word He spoke drew an answer from the gopis. Sometimes Lalita answered and sometimes Vishakha. Kundalata joined their conversation too. Radha listened to their clever remarks. Krishna tried to outdo each playful reply. The friends would not let Him win so easily. Each side found new meanings in the words. Smiles spread throughout the gathering. The flowering grove became a place for their play. For a moment the flower gathering was forgotten.
Soon Nandimukhi arrived with Vrinda. She carried a letter intended for Krishna. Respectfully she gave it to Him and blessed Him. Krishna opened it and read it silently. The friends noticed that it made Him happy. But He did not reveal what it contained. Without explaining, He went toward the northern forest. Radha remained under the trees with the sakhis. She asked who had sent the letter. Nandimukhi answered that it came from Paurnamasi.
Radha wanted to know what it said. At first Nandimukhi gave a very vague reply. Then she began to tease the friends. Lalita did not readily believe her words. She tried to comfort Radha. The sakhis continued to question Nandimukhi. Every piece of news awakened another question. Their conversation held curiosity and gentle concern. Vrinda remained with the gathering in the forest. And the letter became another occasion for jokes.
As the friends talked, Rupa caught sight of Krishna. He was approaching again from the other side of the forest. Radha heard the news from Her sakhi. She playfully asked for a place where She could hide. Lalita and the others watched Her go. Radha walked toward a quiet place among the vines. Branches and leaves concealed Her path. The bells on Her feet rang softly. She turned to see who was coming. Then She hid in the shade of the forest.
Krishna returned to the friends. He immediately noticed that Radha was not with them. He asked the sakhis where She had gone. They were in no hurry to answer Him. Every glance between them concealed another smile. Nandimukhi whispered something to Lalita. She encouraged her to show Him the place. Lalita did not wish to betray Radha's trust. But she also knew that meeting brought Them both joy. At last her glance pointed Him toward the hiding place.
Krishna walked toward the place among the trees. There He found Radha in the quiet forest bower. He addressed Her in words full of play. The friends stayed close to Them. Their cleverness prolonged the joy of the meeting. The gathered flowers still lay in the baskets. The fragrance of spring surrounded them all. Each sakhi had a part in what happened. Finding and hiding were both part of their lila. The forest echoed with the voices of the friends.
This retelling follows the ninth chapter. It begins with gathering flowers for worship. One name joins spring with Krishna's arrival. Lalita and the other sakhis accompany Radha. Paurnamasi's letter awakens curiosity. Krishna's departure does not last long. His return brings new play with the friends. Lalita's glance reveals the hidden bower. Radha and Krishna meet again in the forest. The gopis share the joy of that meeting.