In the flowering forest, the sakhis noticed a strong sandalwood fragrance. They spoke the name Hari-chandana, also hinting at Krishna. The reply turned the play on Hari into a question about a lion. What would a lion have to do with sandalwood, the playful answer asked. The friend urged the other not to fear but to keep gathering flowers.
The sakhis then asked why the sweet flute could no longer be heard. They wondered whether the son of Vraja's lord had gone far away. The reply attributed the sound to hollow bamboo stirred by the forest breeze. Their belief that they heard Krishna's flute was dismissed as a mistake. The words about ordinary dry bamboo became part of their teasing.
Next came the remark that the friends brought up the thief of women's hearts everywhere. They were told that this only revealed their own wishes. Radha addressed Lalita and complained about her restless company. She said that she would go home. The friends could remain in the forest and continue their play.
The sakhis asked her first to accomplish the purpose for which she had come. Then they could all leave together. Before them was a forest with varied flowers and abundant nectar. They offered to make ornaments for her from those flowers. They again connected their hints with the remarkable fragrance nearby.
More was said about the beauty of the flowering forest. Nagakeshara was also mentioned among the available blossoms. She did not want their conversation to continue with such double meanings. The sakhis again joked about the masculine and feminine names of trees and creepers. Finally, under the pretext of flowers, they led her toward Krishna's bower.
Radha moved slowly, surrounded by the sakhis. Her anklets sounded softly. The poet describes her beauty through bees, flowers, and light. Krishna was within the forest bower. On seeing the friends gathered nearby, He played again.
The flute's sound halted their movements as they gathered flowers. Their hands trembled, and their bodies became still with feeling. Signs of excitement appeared upon their cheeks. Tears gathered in their eyes, beyond their power to restrain. Their attempts to conceal those feelings did not succeed.
One sakhi reminded Radha of her earlier joke. She had called the flute ordinary dry bamboo. Now its glory was revealed through Radha herself. The reply attributed the excitement to a cold breeze and the tears to flower pollen. Radha shook her head, showing her displeasure at the teasing.
As their sweet conversation continued, Krishna emerged from the bower. A gentle smile unfolded on His face. The gopis became still and silent on seeing Him. He approached slowly, eager to hear their words. He greeted them kindly and asked whether they were well.
Krishna asked what they wished and what He could do for them. He presented Himself as the forest's host and them as welcome guests. He urged them to accept His honor and welcome. More witty answers followed His invitation. Radha appreciated her two close friends for bringing Him joy through their conversation.