In the autumn forest Madhumangala drew Krishna's attention to the peacock feathers. Krishna wished to make an ornament for Radha from them. He went with His friend to gather them. While He was away, Radha spoke to Lalita. Then she hid in the ashoka grove.
Krishna fashioned a crown from the feathers they had collected. He wished to place it in Radha's hair. Returning, He asked Lalita where her dear friend was. Lalita replied that Radha had gone home. Krishna began looking carefully around Him.
Suddenly He thought that He had seen Radha. He joyfully approached the golden appearance. Madhumangala laughed and pointed out a blossom covered with yellow pollen. Krishna admitted that His friend was right. Still, He continued to search for His beloved.
Another flowering plant seemed to Him like her form. Madhumangala stopped Him again with laughter. He said that the power of love had turned all Vrindavan into Radha. Krishna turned to Lalita and asked for help. Smiling, she directed Him to ask Visakha.
Lalita also made a concealed sign with her eyebrows. Krishna understood it as pointing toward a kadamba grove. Certain that He had found her, He called Radha to come out. He praised Lalita's cleverness at hiding her. Then Madhumangala joined the game once more.
His friend declared that he himself had found Radha. Krishna asked whether He could trust his word. Madhumangala invoked Gayatri to confirm his promise. Krishna asked him to show her immediately. But first His friend asked for a reward.
Krishna adorned Madhumangala with a garland of malati flowers. Then the brahmana presented the promised gift. A written leaf came into Krishna's hands. It bore the two syllables of Radha's name. Thus Madhumangala had literally given Him Radha through her name.
Krishna smiled at the jest. He said that He was truly pleased even with this gift. He spoke of a beloved person's name reaching the eyes or ears. It naturally awakens an inward joy. And immediately afterward it increases the heart's longing.
Then Krishna turned toward an ashoka tree in bloom. He wondered why it was flowering outside its season. He thought this might reveal the touch of Radha's feet. In that poetic inference the fragrant blossoms and bees led Him toward her. He sensed His beloved concealed within the grove.
Radha answered Him with an affectionate reproach. She complained that He had come to tease her even in her hiding place. Krishna boasted that He had defeated their art of concealment. Lalita immediately checked His boast with another witty reply. Krishna proposed that He should hide next and the sakhis should find Him.