Evening slowly descended over Vraja. The moon appeared in the sky above Vrindavan. Lamps were lit one by one in the homes. The fragrance of flowers arrived from the forest. Radha was at home with Her friends. Her thoughts were turned toward Krishna. The gopis also remembered their meeting that day. They awaited every new piece of news about Him. Then their friend Induprabha arrived. She came from Nanda's home in Nandishwar.
Induprabha brought them news of Krishna. She said that He too longed for Radha. Vishakha listened to her words with delight. For the sakhis the news was like refreshing rain. Radha looked attentively at the messenger. Induprabha continued her account. She described the evening meal at Nanda's home. Krishna and Balarama sat beside Their father. Rohini served Them dishes. The elders lovingly encouraged Them to eat.
When the meal ended, the friends stayed with Krishna. He rested among them and spoke of Radha. He remembered a sight in the forest that day. Her blue sari had disappeared among the vines. He told them how deeply the meeting had moved Him. Subala listened carefully to his friend. Then he too spoke of Radha's feelings. He described Her thoughts after their meeting. Krishna listened with ever greater tenderness. His eyes filled with tears of love.
Induprabha was present when He addressed her. Krishna asked her to go quickly to Radha. She was to convey His message to Her. He wished to meet Her beside the Yamuna. The place was beneath the wish-fulfilling tree. Induprabha remembered His words. She went to carry them to Radha and the sakhis. Meanwhile Krishna had to join the others. Mridangas and other instruments sounded in the hall. But His thoughts were already turned toward the river.
After the music His mother called Him to rest. Krishna received her tender care. Then He left unnoticed for the agreed place. Induprabha told the gopis this part too. She asked Radha first to eat a little. The friends cared for Her needs as well. Radha kept the message in Her heart. Each detail helped them picture Krishna's journey. The moon continued to light the evening. And the friends began to think of the meeting.
Jatila called Radha to supper. She suggested that She eat with Her friends. Radha took some of the prepared food. The gopis remained together with Her. They attended carefully to their evening duties. Then they prepared for the path into the forest. Each quiet step brought them closer to the river. The friends accompanied Radha through the night. Leaves moved in the evening breeze. The Yamuna waited beyond the dark silhouettes of trees.
Krishna was already near the agreed place. The tree by the river stood in the moonlight. He waited for Radha with His thoughts turned toward Her. The gopis walked beside their sakhi. On the path Radha told Lalita of Her longing. The friends gently encouraged Her to continue. At last they reached the grove of bakula trees. Vishakha saw Krishna beside a tamala tree. She pointed Him out to Radha in the night shade. But Radha thought She saw only a tree.
Krishna heard Vishakha's joke. He spread His arms like the branches of the tree. Vishakha invited Radha to come closer. Lalita and the other sakhis hid behind the vines. Radha looked closely at the dark tamala. Then She recognized Her beloved Krishna. The friends rejoiced at Their meeting. The river flowed quietly by the forest bank. Induprabha's words had found their answer. The night welcomed the friends' joy.
Vishakha remembered the first news she had heard. Subala had helped Krishna learn of Radha. Induprabha had carried His message to the right place. The gopis had stayed with Radha before She left. They had not left Her alone in Her anticipation. Krishna had kept hope while with His family. Each friend had contributed to this meeting. Not one of them was forgotten in the story. The little message became a journey to the river. And the journey ended in joy they all shared.
This is a retelling from the eighteenth chapter. The evening begins with news from Nandishwar. Krishna speaks to Subala about Radha. Induprabha carries the message to Her and the gopis. Radha and Her friends prepare to leave. Krishna goes to the tree beside the Yamuna. The moon lights their evening path. The friends care for one another. Radha and Krishna meet once more. Their joy is shared with the sakhis on the bank.