Kundalata noticed Lalita bringing Radha into the reed grove. The approaching night gave the sakhis hope. Kundalata mentioned Krishna in their conversation. Radha became deeply stirred on hearing His name. She asked Lalita about the one who drew her so powerfully.
Kundalata described the astonishing freshness of divine beauty. Even after many encounters, it can seem never to have been seen before. Lalita added that deep love also has this power. It reveals the beloved anew at every moment. Radha asked once more for an answer about Krishna.
Lalita began describing Nanda's youthful son. His dark radiance surpassed the beauty of precious gems. He was like a moon for the family of Vraja's king. The sound of His flute unsettled even the firmest reserve. Radha listened with tears and longed to see Him.
Kundalata reminded her of the meeting Visakha had arranged the previous evening. Radha remembered that brief glimpse. It had seemed like a sudden flash of lightning. At that moment Krishna Himself entered the scene. The jingling of Lalita's bangles had reached Him.
Krishna compared that lovely ringing with birdsong. In His heart the sound opened an entire scene of delight. Then He listened closely once again. He also recognized the little bells of Radha's ornaments. Their sound sent a powerful thrill through Him.
Radha looked at Him in wonder. In her poetic comparison, His sidelong glances became a marvelous builder's chisels. With them He unsettled the firmness of hearts. Lalita told her that her beloved stood before her. Radha looked upon Him again.
She recognized Him as the moon that opens the gopis pictured as night lilies. She saw Him as Gokula's living celebration. For the cuckoo of her mind, He was a joyful spring. The sight bathed her eyes as though in waves of nectar. Krishna, in turn, continued to marvel at Radha.
He compared her with a clear lake filled with pure love. Her glances and the beauty of her form brought that poetic picture to life. Radha felt dizzy with the strength of her emotion. She asked Lalita for a supporting hand. Lalita reassured her and placed Radha's arm upon her own shoulder.
Krishna drew nearer and addressed Radha. He described the moon as humbled by the radiance of her face. In His comparison, it practiced austerity in Shiva's matted hair to gain a similar beauty. Radha glanced toward Lalita, seeking her protection. Krishna told her that her sidelong glances had already brought Him under her sway.
With a voice faltering from emotion, Radha asked Kundalata to restrain Him. She reminded her that she was under the supervision of her elders. Then Jatila arrived and interrupted their conversation. She led Radha away with the two sakhis. Krishna remained mindful of His beloved, then departed to attend to the cows.