The sakhis challenged Krishna’s claim to the forest. They called it a common shelter for all people, and also for the animals and birds. Why, they asked, did He speak of it as His own? Krishna replied that even a common place could belong to whoever had occupied it first.
One sakhi followed the dispute with delight. Then Radha addressed the sakhis with a smile. She urged Them to leave dry argument aside and listen to the reply. He was one, while They were many, She reminded Them. As the beautiful prince of Vraja, He deserved to be honored.
Krishna answered Radha that He was no stranger to Her. Everyone knew that He belonged to Her. How, then, could He fail to take pride in that? Radha considered this tender answer in Her heart. Her words about honoring Him had brought forth His loving reply.
He addressed Her as His beloved and placed Himself under Her authority. He declared Himself Her servant. He asked Her to name the work He could do for Her delight. Hearing this, the gopis’ playful display of pride disappeared. The poet likens it to foam and bubbles upon a river of affection.
Together with those affectionate companions, Krishna entered the forest. There were creepers, trees and fine secluded bowers. He gathered bakula flowers with His own hands. Then He strung the flowers into garlands. From them He made necklaces, girdles and bracelets for the gopis.
He took a cluster of ketaki leaves. With His nails He divided them into many pieces. He fashioned ornaments for Their ears. He mixed naga-kesara pollen with sweet flower nectar. With this mixture He drew tilaka marks upon Their foreheads.
He selected full, round jasmine buds of even beauty. Their stalks had been removed. He strung them into necklaces for the gopis. Next He pressed tender leaves against an opening in His flute. In this way He formed small round pieces of leaf.
With these pieces He made ornamental leaf designs. The gopis, in turn, desired to adorn Krishna. They gathered the flowers They wanted for His ornaments.