Another day of secret meetings began in Vraja. Shrimati Radharani was at home with Her friends. Her mother-in-law Jatila wanted Her to worship the sun god. The preparations for the worship gave the attendants work to do. Meanwhile Vrinda gathered fragrant flowers. She knew the gardens of Vrindavan well. She chose the flowers for the service of Radha and Krishna. Through Narmadi she sent them to Radharani. The flowers arrived as a gift from the forest. Radha looked at them with love.
Radharani began to make a flower garland. Her friends helped Her with the work. She carefully arranged the flowers. Their colors alternated beside one another. Their fragrance spread as the garland took shape. Radha strung it with Krishna in Her thoughts. Every tied thread was part of Her gift. Her friends watched Her careful work. The finished garland was called Vaijayanti. She wished it to reach Her beloved Krishna.
Lalita considered how to send the gift. Tulasi Manjari and Kasturi were ready to help. Tulasi Manjari was a young attendant of Radha. Here her name refers to a person, not the tulasi plant. Kasturi shared the entrusted task with her. Lalita gave them the flower garland. She also gave them betel to carry to Krishna. The two accepted the gifts with care. They prepared to leave the house. Their journey became a service of love.
In the forest Krishna was with His friends. Other companions were waiting near Kusuma Sarovara. Vrinda, Dhanishtha, Subala, and Madhumangala were there. The garden was full of flowers and birds. Tulasi Manjari and Kasturi arrived there. They brought the gift Radha had prepared. They approached the gathering with respect and joy. The garland carried the beauty of Her work. Its fragrance spoke of Vrindavan's flowers. The friends knew that the gift came from Radha.
Tulasi handed the garland to Madhumangala. She gave the betel to Subala. Thus the friends also took part in offering the gifts. Madhumangala placed the garland around Krishna's neck. The flowers rested upon His chest. Krishna noticed the beautiful garland. In it He felt Radha's care. He remembered Her tenderly. His companions observed His mood. A small gift brought His absent beloved near.
Tulasi Manjari spoke with Krishna. In jest she told Him that Radha had stayed at home. She said that Radha was detained and could not come. Krishna became sad at the news. Tulasi at once saw the change in His face. She did not want the joke to cause Him pain for long. She revealed that Radha was indeed preparing to come. She herself had been sent ahead with the gifts. Her words restored His hope. The friends again felt the joy of anticipation.
Krishna wished to answer Radha's care. He gave Tulasi Manjari two champaka flowers. He also gave her a garland of gunja seeds. The gifts were to carry His love to Radha. Tulasi accepted them attentively. The flower garland and the return gifts linked two hearts. No words needed to replace their tenderness. Friends and attendants were part of that exchange. Each person had a service in the preparations. Krishna kept Radha's gift with gratitude.
Vrinda knew every shelter in the forest. She suggested a meeting place beside Radha-kunda. The gardens there were adorned with fragrant flowers. Paths led between trees and flowering arches. Vrinda explained the plan to the attendants. Dhanishtha shared their wish to help. Tulasi Manjari was to convey the news. The plan moved from friend to friend. Each contributed with a careful task. Krishna awaited the next moment.
Vrinda, Dhanishtha, and Tulasi went to convey the message. They carried Krishna's gifts with them. Radha was to learn where the place was prepared. Her friends could help with the journey. The flowers She had strung were already with Krishna. His gifts were now traveling in the other direction. The attendants' care moved between the two places. Their service filled the space between meetings. In this part of the story the meeting is still awaited. The account follows a moment of preparation and hope.
The garland began as a few gathered flowers. Radha made them into a gift with Her own hands. Vrinda helped with the flowers and the meeting place. Lalita entrusted the task to the attendants. Tulasi and Kasturi carried the garland through the forest. Madhumangala and Subala received the gifts. Krishna answered with flowers and a gunja garland. The joke became hope for a meeting soon. All acted with care for Radha and Krishna. Thus ends this retelling from Govinda-lilamrita.