The night of the rasa dance filled the forest with song. Krishna had danced with the gopis of Vraja. After the dance, everyone felt tired. They made their way to the bank of the Yamuna. The water waited among the trees and lotuses. The freshness of the river drew them closer. Laughing and talking, the gopis entered the water. Krishna joined them there as well.
The Yamuna welcomed Her beloved guests. The story imagines the river filled with joy. Her waves moved around them. Dark water and bright faces made a lovely sight. Some friends stepped carefully away from the bank. Others were already playing among the waves. The water refreshed them after the dance. The forest heard their cheerful voices.
A few gopis hesitated to go farther into the water. Krishna playfully splashed them. They immediately splashed Him in return. The drops sparkled as they fell back into the river. Laughter filled the space between the banks. Some tried to dodge the splashes. Others prepared another merry attack. Thus their game in the Yamuna began.
The water rippled with the company's movements. The friends saw fish beside them. Swans and other birds remained near the river. Krishna watched the gopis with a smile. Sometimes they hid among the lotus flowers. Krishna also hid among the blue lotuses. Everyone tried to find their companions. When they succeeded, laughter broke out again.
At one moment Radha approached with Her friends. She came to the place of the water game. Krishna saw Her and stood still with joy. He forgot to splash Her at once. The friends noticed how happy the meeting made Him. They joked that Radha had already won. She had only just joined their game. Her presence made the gathering even sweeter.
Krishna and Radha looked at one another among the waves. For a moment Radha drew back toward Her friends. The gopis gathered around Her. Krishna entered their playful company again. Each new wave brought more laughter. The friends shielded their faces from the drops. Then they splashed Krishna in return. The river was full of movement and joy.
The game continued among the water and lotuses. Everyone enjoyed the refreshing Yamuna. Sometimes the gopis hid behind one another. Sometimes they joined together in their playful tricks. Krishna tried to find them in the game. Radha stayed with Her beloved friends. Their voices echoed beside the river. Laughter could be heard from water and shore alike.
After the merry game it was time to come out. The gopis' garments were soaked by the river. Krishna carefully gave them fresh garments and ornaments. The friends made themselves ready on the bank. Radha and Her companions gathered together again. They helped one another after their time in the water. The tiredness from dancing had given way to freshness. Everyone looked at one another with delight.
Flowers were showered upon the joyful company. The bank of the Yamuna became a place of celebration again. The night's dance and the water game remained connected. Radha and Krishna were surrounded by close friends. Each remembered something funny that had happened. The water still moved quietly beside the shore. Lotuses adorned the river. The company continued its night in Vraja.
This retelling draws on the twenty-seventh chapter. Krishna and the gopis refresh themselves after the rasa dance. Radha's arrival brings Him particular joy. The friends turn the river into a place of play. Krishna cares for them when they leave the water. The Yamuna witnesses their laughter and closeness. The story joins playfulness with attention to others. There is room for every friend in their shared joy.