Radha went out with her companions under the pretext of gathering flowers. She carried the wish to see Krishna in her heart. She entered the woodland garden called Madana-jivana. There she picked a few flowers. As she gathered them, she searched for her beloved. Her restless eyes moved among the trees.
Krishna was playing at that time. He noticed an unusual golden radiance in the nearby forest. Its brightness spread through the greenery. Birds and swarms of bees were stirred. A sudden agitation arose within him. He left his games to search for the source of that light.
From a distance, he saw Radha. The poet describes her golden splendor through the color of saffron. Krishna was overwhelmed by the sight. His peacock ornament slipped from its place. His yellow garment loosened, and the flute fell from his hand. He fell senseless to the ground.
Radha saw him in that condition. She came near. She touched her beloved with her hand. At her touch, Krishna opened his eyes. Radha smiled. Then she disappeared from his sight.
Meanwhile, Sridama was searching for his friend. At last, he found him rolling on the ground, overcome with feeling. He saw his sorrowful face and tear-filled eyes. He spoke to him with concern.
Sridama reminded him that the cows had wandered far away. The last quarter of the day had arrived. The boys were hungry. His mother was waiting for him at home. Seeing him tearful and dejected deeply troubled his friends.
With the edge of his own garment, Sridama wiped Krishna's face. Krishna listened to his friend's words. Again and again he remembered her. With a voice broken by emotion, he began to sing. His song described the sight he had just experienced.
He pictured Radha as a wondrous golden vine. Her movement was gentle and astonishing. He sang of her face as a moon. He compared her eyes to opening lotuses. He described her as a source of love drawing his heart. He asked his friend to seek her in the dense flowering grove.
Sridama urged him to rise. He asked him to gather the cows with his flute. It was time to go home. He assured him that the one who had enchanted him lived in Vraja. He did not consider a meeting with her beyond reach. With these words, he tried to comfort him.
His dear friend's words steadied Krishna somewhat. He returned home. His face still lacked its usual brightness. His mother noticed his condition. She tended him affectionately. But that night Krishna did not fall asleep.