In the flowering groves around Radha-kunda the friends had gathered. Lalita sat with the sakhis beneath a tree. Vrinda and Nandimukhi rejoiced in Radha and Krishna's closeness. The goddesses of the six seasons also came to the forest. They wished to learn how they could serve. Vrinda asked them to adorn the surrounding places. Each season received a place around the pond and forests. Spring, the rains, and autumn had their own services. The goddesses accepted the task with respect. The forest became a setting for joy and love.
At that time Radha and Krishna were together in the grove. Krishna prepared a playful game of disguise. He adorned Radha with dark fragrant paste. He gave Her His clothes and ornaments too. He did not forget the flute He carried. He placed it in Her hands as part of the game. A peacock feather and forest garland completed the appearance. Radha sat quietly while the adornment continued. Krishna sat beside Her. The two awaited their friends' reaction.
From a distance came the sound of the sakhis' bells. Krishna understood that they were approaching. With a glance He signaled the attendants who were present. He asked them not to reveal the game at once. The friends entered the flowering grove. Before them they saw two figures resembling Krishna. Both wore peacock feathers and flower garlands. Yellow clothing and a dark appearance puzzled them further. For a moment they did not know where to look. Then they began to wonder who was who.
The sakhis turned to the attendants. They hoped that they knew the secret. But the attendants continued the game. They said that they too did not know who was who. The friends looked at one another in surprise. Vrinda offered her own guess. She thought Krishna had used some mantra. Vishakha also wondered what had happened. Each answer gave rise to another joke. The flowering grove filled with curiosity.
Chitra wondered what they would say when they returned home. Nandimukhi tried to reassure her. The friends wanted to see Radha again. They addressed one figure, thinking it was Her. But Krishna joined the game with Her voice. He spoke with a shyness that reminded them of Radha. Lalita listened carefully to the words. The others gathered around Him. Their certainty soon turned into fresh confusion. The game continued with witty conversation.
Krishna told an invented explanation for the change. In the story He mentioned water and mysterious mantras. The sakhis tried to understand what had really happened. Each new word made them think again. Meanwhile Radha remained in Krishna's clothes. Her friends later approached Her. They saw Her sitting quietly in the grove. At first they thought Krishna was before them. They asked Her to answer their questions. Radha opened Her eyes and looked at them.
She asked when they had arrived. Then She looked around for Krishna. With Her hand She removed the peacock feather from Her head. The friends finally recognized their Radha. Lalita joked about the earlier confusion. She told them how the other figure had deceived them. Vrinda smiled as she watched their surprise. Everyone began to understand the trick. The secret lay in the clothes, the voice, and their shared play. Joy grew with each new recognition.
The friends gently removed the dark adornment from Radha. They dressed Her in Her own ornaments again. Krishna appeared and imitated Her voice once more. He covered His face with a veil as part of the joke. The friends faced another unexpected turn. Vrinda and the others replied with jokes of their own. They wondered how to resolve the strange confusion. Each friend added something of her own wit. Radha listened to the conversation beside Krishna. Both rejoiced in the company of the sakhis.
Lalita also joked about wise Paurnamasi. The friends imagined who might be able to help them. But every suggestion became a reason for more laughter. Vrinda watched the game in the forest she cares for. Nandimukhi and the others joined in too. Krishna's words were full of wit. Radha and Her friends replied in the same cheerful spirit. It no longer mattered to solve every puzzle at once. The exchange of words itself brought them joy. The grove became a place of laughter and closeness.
This retelling selects one scene from the tenth chapter. It begins with Vrinda preparing the forest. Then the flute and peacock feather become part of the game. Radha briefly appears in a form resembling Krishna. Krishna imitates Her voice to surprise the sakhis. The friends ask questions and share jokes. At last they recognize Radha's face. Then they continue their cheerful conversation together. In the flowering grove love is expressed through laughter too. Thus this play of friendship and wit is remembered.