The Radha kunda Glories and Pastimes in the midday

Chapter 7

Govinda Lilamrta

Krishna das kaviraja Goswami

1- Yearning to meet His beloved Radharani, Lord Hari walked a little distance turned from the path, and arrived at His favorite place, Radha-kunda.

2- Filled with many jeweled staircases, and it's four corners studded with jewels, Radha-kunda appeared very beautiful.

3- In the four corners were pavilions studded with glistening jewels. Around the pavilions were jeweled mosaic floors and courtyards.

4- Around each pavilions were four wonderfully colorful swings, decorated with various fragrant flowers, and suspended from the branches of trees.

5- In the south was a swing suspended from two campaka trees. In the east was a swing suspended from two kadamba trees. In the north was a swing suspended from two mango trees. In the west was a swing suspended from two bakula trees. In the east by southeast corner the grove of trees came right up to the water and a little north of that place was a wonderfully colorful bridge suspended from pillars. The water of the lake was of varying depth, sometimes as deep as one's neck, chest, belly, navel, hips, thighs, or knees. The groves of tress on the shore were of varying shapes, some six-sided, seven-sided, eight-sided or circular. The temperature was always pleasant, the winters being warm and the summers cool. In all directions there were staircases studded with various jewels. The water which vanquished all thirst for it's drinkers, was decorated with waves that glistened as if they were many jewels. In the middle of the water was a great assembly of water=fowl. The shore was decorated with many courtyards where Shri Shri Radha and Krishna enjoyed many joking pastimes in the company of Their associates. There were many wonderfully colorful, broad mosaic floors, and in all directions there were many trees, blossoming with many large flowers and fruits, and embraced by many flowering creepers.

6- In the four corners of Radha-kunda there were gardens of madhavi creepers surrounded by groves of banira, kesara, and asoka trees.

7- Around these were the large groves of the various gopis, and beyond them were groves of plantain trees that provided nice transcendental fruits and cooling shade.

8- Beyond that were gardens and forests of flower-bearing trees. In the middle of Radha-kunda's waters was a glistering bridge leading to a jeweled palace.

9- In these gardens were many goddesses of fortune and hundreds of maidservants engaged by Vrnda-devi in collecting various fruits and flowers, and in rendering various services in pleasant cottage here and there in the forest.

10- There was no excessive heat or cold, and only the good qualities of spring and the other seasons were present in those groves of Radha-kunda. Vrnda-devi personally arranged that all the paths, courtyards, and building were regularly sprinkled with scented water, the gates and roofs decorated with many flags, and the forest-groves, path, swings, courtyards, and palaces were all wonderfully decorated with colorful flowers.

11- In those groves were many beautiful pastime-cottages. In those cottages were many couches fashioned of various flowers, flower-stems, and lotus petals and generous cushions. In those cottages were goblets of sweet nectar, betel-nuts, water, and other refreshments.

12- There were many kahlara, raktatpala, pundarika, pankeruha, indivara, and kairava lotus flowers in Radha-kunda. The honey and pollen falling from these flowers made the entire pondvery fragrant.

13- Radha-kunda was filled with the pleasant cooing of the swans, cranes, datuhas, madgus, cuckoos, and other birds, as well as the varatas, laksmanas, and other species of geese. Radha-kunda was also filled with the charming nectarean poems the jubilant male and female parrots recited describing the pastimes of Lord Krishna.

14- The peacocks become maddened with ecstatic love when they see the beautiful form of Lord Krishna, as splendid as a rain-cloud. These ecstatic peacocks coo and dance in the gardens and courtyards of Radha-kunda.

15- When the haritas, paravatas, catakas, and other wonderfully birds saw the form of Lord Krishna they became full of transcendental bliss. These birds filled the forest of Radha-kunda with a charming sound like nectar for the ears.

16- The cakora birds in Radha-kunda's sky revile the feeble beauty of the moon. Instead they prefer to drink the nectarean moonlight of Lord Krishna's face, which is worshipped by billions of the best full moons.

17- The groves around Radha-kunda were filled with bending trees and creepers bearing many new sprouts, buds, blossomed flowers, unripe and ripe fruits. Radha-kunda was in the middle of a district of many lakes. It was filled with the splendor of many different kinds of lotus flowers. It's shore and waters were the place of Lord Hari's transcendental pastimes. It's numberless transcendental virtues eclipsed even the wonder of he milk-ocean in the plant of Svetadvipa.

18- Next to Radha-kunda is a similar lake named Syama-kunda, which was created by the touch of Lord Krishna's lotus foot. Around Radha-kunda are eight groves named after the eight principal gopis. These gopis lovingly created these groves with great effort to please the dear Divine Couple by facilitating Their pastimes.

19- Many gardens and a tree-lined path mark the boundary of the Radha-kunda area.

20- The narrow lanes in the Radha-kunda area were made of pure crystal studded with sapphires. They appeared like little creeks with diminutive waves.

21- The jewels in these lanes reflect the nearby jeweled walls. These walls have many doors leading to pleasant gardens which appear to be in another world.

22- To the north of the Radha-kunda area is the courtyard named Ananga-rangambuja, within which is a pleasant golden plantain and bakula grove in the shape of an eight-petaled lotus. The courtyard itself is in the shape of a thousand-petaled lotus whose lovely whorl is fashioned of glittering golden mosaics. In this pleasant lotus-courtyard there are many nice places which are extremely suitable for the Lord's pastimes. By this courtyard is the opulent palace named Lalitanandana, where Shri Shri Radha and Krishna, the monarchs of Vrndavana-forest reign. This palace is pleasant in every season. It is decorated and maintained by Lalita's student Kalavati, and it is the abode of various pastimes for the Divine Couple.

23- Around the golden whorl of this thousand-petaled lotus courtyard are various rings, each one twice as large as the preceding one. The first ring is a grove of ruby bakula trees. Next is a grove of kadamba trees fashioned from various jewels. Next are five pavilions fashioned from gold, lapis lazuli, sapphire, crystal, and ruby respectively. within these pavilions are many handsome pairs of beasts, birds, humans, and demigods, all splendidly decorated with ornaments made of various jewels. In this courtyard there also many other bakula and other trees glistering with wonderful flowers and leaves in five different colors. In this middle of this lotus-whorl is also a great treasury-building filled knee-deep with precious gems.

24- In the eight petals of the lotus-shaped grove there are many smaller groves filled with asoka trees and creepers which bear white, red, green, yellow, and blue flowers, even down to their roots. In the northwest  petal there is a pleasant grove of asoka trees. This grove is named vasanta-sukhada and it is filled with the musical sounds of many bumble-bees and cuckoos.

25- The grove named Shri Padma-mandira is situated in the southwestern petal. It has a four-sided wall with windows and four gates.

26- These four walls are decorated with wonderfully colorful designs and pictures fashioned from various jewels. Within this grove Shri Krishna and the gopis enjoy their purva-raga and other pastimes.

27- Within this grove Lord Krishna enjoyed the rasa-dance and other pastimes wonderfully arranged by Lalita-devi. Just outside this grove Lord Krishna killed Putana, Arista, and other demons.

28- The palace in this grove is fashioned in the form of a lotus flower. The central room there is like a splendid jeweled filament of that lotus flower. The inner chambers around that room are like the inner whorl of that lotus flower. The sixteen walls that surround that palace are like the petals of that lotus flower.

29- Above these sixteen palaces were many palatial turrets and spires, and between them there many palaces also.

30- These walls were supported by rows of crystal columns and had red-coral roofs.

31- These roofs were decorated with great jeweled spires with glistening tops.

32- Above these two roofs there is a third set of very tall spires which delight the eyes of the Divine Couple and the residents of Vrndavana.

33- The bases of the walls were decorated with wonderfully colorful jeweled designs and pictures. Staircases from the walls led in all directions to beautiful mosaic pavements.

34- At the far boundaries of these extensive mosaic pavements are a series of very tall trees.

35- The boundary of this mosaic pavement is decorated with nice flowers and fruits. It is known as keli-ratnakara, the treasury of jewels where Shri Shri Radha and Krishna and Their associates enjoy transcendental pastimes.

36- In the grove to the southeast is a lotus-shaped jeweled swing facing east and west, and expertly suspended between two branches of a bakula tree.

37- This swing was placed between two tiltling branches of a bakula tree that shades a pleasant garden below.

38- The swing was firmly tied to the tree with four stout silkenropes. The area around the swing was a perfectly level plain.

39- The bakula tree was enclosed by a little fence formed of eight rubies and eight red-corals, each as large as one's hand.

40- In this mosaic floor is a jeweled design resembling a colorful sixteen-petaled lotus flower.

41- This lotus flower has eight gates in it's filament and two gates in it's southern petal.

42- The swing was suspended from two poles. It had splendid pillows on it's seat, back, and sides.

43- The seat was upholstered with golden and multicolored cloth  sewn with pearls resembling glittering moons.

44- The eight principal gopis stood in the petals, and the other gopis melodiously sang as Vrnda-devi moved Shrimati Radharani and the infallible Supreme Personality of Godhead, who were seated on the swing.

45- This place, where Shrimati Radharani and the infallible Supreme Personality of Godhead sit on the lotuslike swing in the presence of all Their associates, is known as Madanandolana-tirtha.

46- In the northeast is a lake and grove of Madhavi-creepers where the Lord enjoy various pastimes. This place, in the shape of an eight-petaled lotus flower, is named Madhavananda-tirtha.

47- To the north of this place is a grove named Sitambuja-kunja, in the shape of a white lotus flower. The filament of this lotus-shaped grove is studded with jewels, and it's whorl is made of gold, and it's petals consist of various groves and gardens. These groves are shaded by many bending trees embraced by flowering malli-jasmine creepers. The blossoming punnaga flowers make the groves seem to be always flooded by silver moonlight.

48- The eastern grove is named Kunjasitambuja-tirtha (the blue lotus flower). It has a golden whorl, with smaller groves as it's petals. It is filled with bending trees embraced by golden creepers. It's many tamala trees make it appear to be filled with glistening sapphires.

49- The southern petal is a grove named Kunjarunambuja-tirtha (the grove in the shape of a red lotus flower). It is filled with blossoming clove-creepers. It center and outskirts are decorated with rubies and other precious gems.

50- The western petal is a grove named Hemambuja-tirtha (the golden lotus flower). From center to circumference it is made of gold. It is filled with creepers and blossoming campaka trees.

51- In this way there are various groves in the north and other directions. The different colors and features of these groves astonish the eyes of the visitor. These groves are very dear to Shri Shri Radha and Krishna.

52- These groves are filled with sublimely fragrant red, green, yellow, and blue flowers. The northeast, southeast, southwest, and northwest groves are filled with blossoming campaka flowers. The east, north, south, and west are filled with blossoming madhavi-creepers.

53- In these groves some trees had their glistening tilting branches tangled together, and others had their branches neatly separated. These groves were filled with the delightful sweet sounds of the blue, yellow, and red parrots, cuckoos, and bumble-bees. These groves appeared to be a great palace in Radha-kunda.

54- The budding and blossoming flowers growing on the land and in the waters of these groves and lakes provided various ornaments, garments, couches, awnings, and other paraphernalia to decorate the Radha-kunda area. The red, white, yellow, and blue lotus flowers made a wonderful, and colorful picture in all directions.

55- In the middle of this sixteen-petaled lotus flower there are four gates guarded by an army of softly buzzing bees. Beyond those gates is  charming jeweled garden filled with blossoming flowers, fresh buds, and arrow-like twigs.

56- The porches of these four gates are shaded by the long branches of nearby trees, and constantly protected and maintained by Manjumukhi-dasi, the expert student of Visakha-devi.

57- In the middle of this green garden is a regal garden grove named Visakha-nandada or madana-sukhada. It is the abode of bliss fro the Vrajabhumi's eyes. It is completely inundated by the nectar-flood of Lord Shri Shri Radha-Bakari's pastimes.

58- In the east is a wonderful grove named Citranandada-tirtha (the bestower of wonderful bliss). In this grove is a wonderful swing, wonderful palaces, wonderful courtyards, wonderful mosaic floors, bees, wonderful colorful birds, many dark trees, many wonderful jewels, and many wonderful trees and creepers.

59-In the southeast is the grove named Purnendu-kunja (the full-moon). This grove is decorated with a beautiful pastimes-couch and other paraphernalia. This grove delights the gopis Indulekha. This grove has a courtyard where the floor is paved with crystal and moonstones. The entire place is made very colorful by the pundarika lotus flowers, kairava lotus flowers. and malli jasmine flowers. There are many creepers and trees bearing beautiful flowers, and there are charming sounds of the bumble-bees, cuckoos, and parrots. Even in this age of kali, during the full-moon night beautifully dressed Radha and Krishna come here with Their gopi-associates and enjoy transcendental pastimes, unseen by the conditioned souls.

60- In the south is a grove named Campakalatanandada-kunja (the grove that delights Campakalata). The land and everything else there is golden. It is filled with golden flowers and golden creepers. There are many wonderful golden lotus flowers. There are golden courtyards with golden mosaic floors. There are golden pavilions and golden swings. There are golden birds and golden-complexioned servants. One day, Shrimati Radharani, dressed Herself in golden garments, and decorated Her body with golden cosmetics, entered this golden grove, so expertly camouflaged that even Lord Krishna did not noticed She was standing before Him. One day Lord Krishna camouflaged Himself in the same say, with golden garments and cosmetics, and in the same way He remained unobserved as He overheard His beloved Radharani's description of Their love to Her intently listening gopi-friends. One day Padma sent Jatila to this grove to find Radharani, and when Jatila looked at the throne where Radharani and Krishna were seated, she could see Lord krishna only, for Radharani's golden complexion and garments so nicely camouflaged Her.

61- In that grove is wonderful dining-area and kitchen where expert Campakalata and Vrnda-devi happily cook picnic-lunches for their masters, the Divine- Couple.

62- In the southwest is the grove named Rangadevi-sukha-prada (the grove that delights Rangadevi), which greatly expands the pleasure of Shrimati Radharani. Everything in this grove is blue. There are blue tamala trees whose branches are embraced by blue creepers, and there are courtyards whose cobblestones are blue sapphires. The blue environment makes it easy to not see Lord Krishna. One day when Mukhara and the other elderly gopis entered this grove and met Radha and Krishna, they could see Radha only, so perfectly did Lord Krishna's blue complexion camouflaged Him.

63- In the west is a grove named Tungavidyanandada (the grove that delights Tungavidya). Everything in this grove is red. There are red trees with red flowers and leaves, their branches embraced by red creepers. There is a red pavilion and a red swing. There is a courtyard where the cobblestones are rubies.

64- In the northwest there is a grove named Sudevi-sukhada-kunja (the grove that delights Sudevi). Everything in this grove is green. There are green trees, green creepers, green birds, and a courtyard paved with emeralds.

65- In the north is a grove protected by Ananga-manjari, and it is sublimely beautiful. It appears like a sixteen-petaled lotus flower surrounded by water. It's glistening sapphires, rubies, and moonstones appear to be waves in a lake and it's other jewels appear to be water-lilies, lotuses, bumble-bees, swans, and other beautiful forms.

66- Shri Radha-kunda is full of wonderful transcendental qualities just like those of Shrimati Radharani Herself. Shri Radha-kunda is as dear to Lord Hari as Shrimati Radharani is Herself. Lord Shri Madhavendu eternally enjoys loving pastimes with Shrimati Radharani on the shore of Radha-kunda. One who bathes even only once in the waters of Radha-kunda attains pure love for Krishna.

67- When the king of heroes, Lord Krishna, saw Radha-kunda, at first He became jubilant, but then He became overwhelmed by burning feelings of love in separation from Shrimati Radharani. The desire to attain His beloved Radharani, devoured His thoughts, and in this condition He began to imagine that Radha-kunda was identical with His beloved Radharani.

68- Lord Krishna thought the playful cakravaka couple were Shrimati Radharani's breasts. He thought the movements of the nectar waves were the motions of His beloved Radharani's breasts. He thought the foam on the water's surface was Her necklace of splendid pearls.

69- Lord Krishna thought the nectarean waves of Radha-kunda were the charming sweetness of His beloved Radharani. He thought the lotus flowers in Radha-kunda were His beloved Radharani's eyes. He thought the swarm of black-bees were Her hair. He thought the jubilant deer on the shore were Her graceful motions. He thought the cooing of the swans was the tinkling of Her ankle-bells. He thought Radha-kunda was His beloved RAdharani.

70- Lord Krishna thought the place where Syama-kunda flows into Radha-kunda was His own arms embracing His beloved Radharani. He thought the waves in Radha-kunda were Radharani's trembling because of His embrace. He thought the red lotus flowers in Radha-kunda were Radharani's hands responding to His embrace.

71- Lord Krishna thought the slightly tilting lotus flowers moving in the breeze were Shrimati Radharani's lotus face, abruptly turning because of the kissing of the bumble-bee of His roving sidelong glance.

72- Lord Krishna thought the loud buzzing of the bees was the inarticulate cry of agitated Radharani, pretending to resist His advances.

73- As He stood on the bowed head of Govardhana Hill. Lord Hari thought the two lakes, Radha-kunda and Syama-kunda, filled with moving lotus flowers, moving in the wind-tossed waves, were actually His own restless tear-filled eyes, agitated with ecstatic love for Shrimati Radharani.

74- As Lord Krishna gazed at Radha-kunda He saw the limbs of His beloved Radharani. In this way He became filled with intense bliss. His ardent desire to meet Her, shattered to pieces the peaceful composure within His heart.

75- Lord Krishna then looked at Syama-kunda, with various groves built by His own close friends. When He saw Syama-kunda by the side of Radha-kunda He thought Syama-kunda was Himself standing next to His beloved Radharani.

76- Lord Krishna's closest friends, such as Subala, Madhumangala, Ujjvala, Arjuna, Gandharva, Vidagdha, Bhrnga, Kokila, Daksa, Sannandana, and others divided the groves around Radha-kunda, giving each one to a particular gopi such as Shrimati Radharani or Lalita-devi.

77- In the northwest is the grove Manasa-pavana-tirtha, and the cottage Subalanandada, which were both accepted by Shrimati Radharani. She regularly bathes there with Her friends, considering the water to be identical with the madhvika honey of Lord krishna's lotus feet. That place is as dear to Her as Lord Krishna Himself.

78-In the north is the wonderful forest-cottage named Madhumangala-sanda which was accepted by Lalita-devi. and which was very dear to Shrimati Radharani.

79- In the northeast is the cottage named Ujjvalanandada, which accepted by Visakha-devi, In this way in each direction there was a cottage that was accepted by a particular gopi.

80- One path enters Radha-kunda from the east, and another from the west. Both humans and animals travel these paths to baths in Radha-kunda and drink it's waters.

81- Those devotees who have developed genuine love for the Divine Couple, and will soon became eligible to assist in Their pastimes, are able to see, within their pure hearts, these spiritual features of Radha-kunda. Others cannot help but think that Radha-kunda is an ordinary material place.

82- When Vrnda-devi noticed the arrival of Nanda's son Krishna, she became very happy. She approached Him and presented Him with a pair of lotus-whorl earrings.

83- Vrnda-devi, artistic skill could be clearly seen in the lotus-whorl earrings she had fashioned herself, and just then given to Lord Krishna, who was radiant with transcendental qualities, Vrnda-devi, speaking about Shrimati Radharani in unaffected sweet words, brought Lord Krishna around the shore of Radha-kunda, from one grove to another until they reached the Madana-sukhada grove in the northeast corner.

84- When Lord Krishna entered Madana-sukhada-kunja He became very happy to see the places where He had enjoyed pastimes with Shrimati Radharani in the past, and where he desired to enjoy pastimes with her in the future.

85- When Lord Krishna entered this grove so nicely decorated by Visakha, Manjumukhi, and Vrnda-devi, He became very pleased. Filled with longing to meet His beloved Radharani, He spoke the following words to Vrnda-devi:

86- O Vrnda, if by good fortune your friend Radharani were to accidentally come to this place, and if there were no obstacles to My enjoying pastimes with Her, then this pleasant forest, this charming cottage, and all these wonderful decorations you have fashioned, would all become sublimely useful to Me.

87- I think Tulasi must have told Radharani how I met Saibya on the road. Tulasi must have told Radharani my actual intention to meet Her. Tulasi shall certainly bring Her to this place.

88- Shrimati Radharani has certainly heard two different stories, one of how I shall meet Her, and another of how I shall meet Candravali. These contradictory stories have certainly thrown Her into the intense suffering of love, and made her burn with the desire to meet with Me. O Dhanistha, please quickly go to Lalita, and have her bring Radharani to this place.

89- O Vrnda, please post one gopi on the path leading to the cows. This gopi may divert any of My cowherd friends trying to find Me. In this way We will not be interrupted by them.

90- Please post another expert gopi on the path to Gauri-tirtha. If Saibya comes for Me again this gopi can deceive her and send her in the wrong direction.

91- Observing how His brahmana friend Madhumangala was greedily eyeing two trees decked with ripe bananas, Lord hari said to Vrnda-devi: And also please see to it that you adequately fills your belly with all this fruits.

92- Madhumangala at once interjected: O friend, what is the use of asking her to eat these bananas. You should ask me to eat them. By constantly gazing at them I am becoming extremely hungry. I should stop at this very place, devour them all, and in this way satisfy the appetite burning in my stomach.

93- When the expert gopis were posted in their places, Lord Krishna, filled with amorous longing, waited, fixing His eyes on the path where His beloved Radharani was to appear.

94- As Lord Krishna waited for His lotus-faced beloved to arrive, He became very impatient. he considered each passing moment to be as long as hundred of thousands of yugas. Although His peaceful composure is generally deeper than hundreds of oceans, He became very agitated and restless. This is not at all surprising. This is the natural emotional response of genuine lovers for their beloved.

95- Thus ends the seventh chapter of Govinda-lilamrta in the matter of the Lord's morning pastimes. Shrila Raghunatha dasa Goswami has ordered me to write this book, which I have been able to do by blessings of Shrila Raghunatha Bhatta Goswami and the saintly association of Shrila Jiva Goswami. I consider this book the ripened fruit of the service I have rendered to Shrila Rupa Goswami, who is like a bumble-bee relishing the honey at the lotus feet of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

Chapter 8    

1- When the Divine Couple meet in the middle of the day They appeared very beautiful and charming, decorated with ornaments of various ecstatic symptoms. Although feigning indifference, They were filled with longing to meet each other. As They performed the sacred rituals of amorous love, they greatly enjoyed the joking words spoken by Lalita and the other gopis. They eagerly enjoyed transcendental pastimes in the forest, in the waters of Radha-kunda, and riding on the swing. They enjoyed various pastimes such as the pastime of Radha's stealing the flute, the pastime of drinking honey, the pastime of worshiping the sun-god, and various kinds of amorous pastimes. I meditate on this Shri Shri Radha and Krishna, who are served by Their eternal associates, and who are very eager to enjoy various transcendental pastimes in the middle portion of the day.

2- At that very moment, Shrimati Radharani, the beloved of Vraja's prince, approached nearby. Her mind was strongly drawn to her beloved Krishna. She yearned with every sense and limb to meet Him. As Her companion Visakha tried to console Her, the anxious Radharani spoke the following words:

3- Though the hearts of the gopis are like high-standing hills, they are inundated by the waves of the nectarean ocean of Krishna's beauty. The touch of His body is cooler than millions and millions of moons together, and the nectar of His bodily fragrance overfloods the entire world. O My dear friend, that Krishna, who is the son of Nanda Maharaja and whose lips are exactly like nectar, is attracting My five senses by force.

4- My dear friend, the luster of Krishna's body is more brilliant than a newly formed cloud, and His yellow dress is more attractive than newly arrived lightning. A peacock feather decorated His head, and on His neck hangs a lovely necklace of brilliant pearls. As He holds His charming flute to His lips, His face looks as beautiful as the full autumn moon. By such beauty, Madana-mohana the enchanter of Cupid, is increasing the desire of My eyes to see Him.

5- O My friend, this cowherd prince, whose jingling ornaments attract the ears like the pleasant rumbling of monsoon clouds, whose words are full of delightful puns on syllables and words, whose sweet flute-music charms the hearts of the goddess of fortune Laksmi-devi and all other beautiful women, who is more enchanting than Cupid, has created within Me an intense desire to constantly hear His words and music with My ears.

6- The scent of Krishna's transcendental body surpasses the aroma of musk and attracts the minds of all women. The eight lotuslike parts of His body distribute the fragrance of lotuses mixed with that of camphor. His body is anointed with aromatic substances like musk, camphor, sandalwood and aguru. O My dear friend, that Personality of Godhead, also known as the enchanter of Cupid, always increases the desire of My nostrils.

7- My dear friend, Krishna's chest is as broad and attractive as a door made of indranila gems, and His two arms, strong as bolts, can relieve the mental anguish of young girls distressed by lusty desires for Him. In this way, Madana-mohana, the attractor of Cupid, is increasing the desire of My breasts.

8- My dear friend, the all-surpassing nectar from the lips of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna, can be obtained only after many, many pious activities. For the beautiful gopis of Vrndavana, that nectar vanquishes the desire for all other tastes. Madana-mohana always chews pan that surpasses the nectar of heaven. He is certainly increasing the desire of My tongue.

9- Tulasi-devi then arrived at the assembly of gopis. Placing Lord krishna's gunja-necklace and two campaka flowers in Lalita's lotus hand, she happily narrated all that had occurred.

10- Lalita took the beautiful gunja-necklace and campaka-earrings, which had both become wonderfully fragrant by the touch of Lord hari. She happily placed them on the ears and breasts of her dear friend Shrimati Radharani.

11- Touching the earrings and necklace, Shrimati Radharani felt the touch of Lord Krishna's transcendental body. Touched by Him, Her lotus eyes blossomed wide open, She began to tremble, and Her bodily hairs stood up. Although She yearned to immediately go to meet Him, She was stunned in ecstasy, and could not even move.

12- When the intelligent gopis awakened Her, sober Shrimati Radharani at once spoke the following crooked joking words to them:

13- O deer-eyed gopis, look before us, if you wish, and see the black deer of Krishna captured in the trap of Saibya's cunning words.

14- All of you are as strong as elephants. You should all try to rescue this black elephant Krishna who has fallen into Candravali's snare.

15- An intelligent person does not act rashly, thoughtlessly, or whimsically. He considers the situation soberly and then acts to obtain the desired result. O My friends, all of you please consider how to rescue our Krishna.

16- Lalita then said: If Lord Hari does not meet us at the rendezvous, then Your prediction will have been true. If Saibya and her friends steal our Krishna, our going to meet Him will become a source of great embarrassment for us.

17- Hearing these words, Shrimati Radharani yearned to associate with the seemingly inaccessible Krishna.

18- Shrimati Radharani then said: My harsh husband, My mother-in-law Jatila, and My powerful enemies such as Nananda and Padma lurk in this forest of Vrndavana. Aside from them, during the daytime Lord Krishna is constantly surrounded by His cowherd boy friends. How will it be possible for me to cross these obstacles and meet My lover Krishna?

19- Within Her agitated mind Shrimati Radharani thought: I am so unfortunate. Today it is not very likely that I shall cross all these impediments and meet My lover Krishna. At that moment, however, an auspicious sign became manifested before Shrimati Radharani.

20- Shrimati Radharani then said: I can understand that nearby, on Govardhana-Hill, is a wonderful person, as strong as a bull, and filled with transcendental virtues. At that moment Shrimati Radharani felt a twitching sensation in Her left thigh, breasts, arm, and eye, indicating that the auspicious meeting with Her lover Krishna was now imminent.

21- Noticing these auspicious signs, Shrimati Radharani became filled with joy. Her mind became drowned in thoughts of her deep love for Lord krishna. She thirsted to hear about Her heart's beloved Lord Krishna. At that moment She saw Dhanistha approaching.

22- Seeing Dhanistha so happy at their meeting, Shrimati Radharani thought she must have been sent with a message from Her heart's beloved Lord krishna. Considering this, Shrimati Radharani became

agitated with various sentiments of ecstatic love, and Her thoughts became repeatedly anointed with the desire to hear about Krishna. Using various clever pretexts to ask about Krishna, She spoke the following words:

23- O My friend, please tell Me, how has this forest of Vrndavana become so suddenly filled with all the beauty of spring? please tell Me, who is this cowherd-prince now standing before us?

24- O My friend, this springtime sweetness bears the mark of all beauty and opulence. This sweetness is filled with hordes of chubby bumble-bees, drawn to the nectars of various blossoming flowers. This springtime sweetness reverberates with the charming conversations of the cuckoos. This springtime sweetness inflame the amorous desire of the young gopis.(O My friend, the sweetness of Lord Krishna is full of all beauty and opulence. This sweetness attracts the bumble-bees, who are drawn by the garland of forest-flowers worn by the Lord. The sweetness of Lord Krishna reverberates with His clever charming speeches and the pleasing flute-melodies of his flute. Lord Krishna's charming sweetness inflames the amorous desire of the young gopis.)

25- Dhanistha replied: Who is able to describe the glory of spring? My friend simply by seeing the beauty of spring one become agitated by hosts of amorous desires.(Who is able to describe the beauty of Lord krishna? Simply by seeing Him, You have become agitated by hosts of amorous desires.)

26- Dhanistha continued: The peak of Govardhana Hill is very splendid and beautiful. It is formed of multi-colored minerals. The rustling sounds of the bamboo growing there reassure the worried cows that streams of drinking water flow nearby. The tumultuous sounds of the birds and other creatures provide a pleasant environment. The peak of Govardhana Hill provides nourishment for all the surabhi cows. It provides the young cows and boys with a pleasant place to sport and play.(Lord krishna, the lifter of Govardhana Hill, is splendidly handsome. His limbs are colorfully decorated with various mineral pigments. He carefully protects the surabhi cows and takes care that they are properly nourished by eating the fresh grasses. He loudly plays the buffalo horn bugle. He performs many jubilant childhood pastimes. His sweet flute-playing reassures all the surabhi cows, who are all afraid that king Indra may again try to inundate Vrndavana with torrential rains.)

27- By drinking the nectar of Dhanistha's puns, Shrimati Radharani became intoxicated. In order to obtain a clear description of the activities of Her lover Krishna, Shrimati Radharani conversed with Dhanistha in the following way:

28- Radha: Where are you going now?

Dhanistha: I am going to see You.

Radha: For what purpose?

Dhanistha: To relay some news to You.

Radha: What is the news?

Dhanistha: The news is about Shri Krishna, the moon of Vraja.

Radha: What is the news of Him?

Dhanistha: The news is that Shri Krishna has become completely crushed the darkness of ignorance spread by His enemy, the demigod Cupid.

29- Although Krishna was alone and unarmed, and although cupid was accompanied by many followers and armed with dangerous weapons, still, angry Krishna, armed with only His transcendental bodily sweetness, easily defeated the demigod cupid.

30- Rati's husband cupid is now hurling torrents of flower-arrows, bumble-bees , cuckoos, spring-breezes, and other dangerous weapons at Shri Krishna in the forest by Radha-kunda. Shri Krishna wished that You come at once to aid Him in the battle.

31- Your lover Krishna has now fallen into great danger by the force of destiny, and only Your association can deliver Him. Please quickly go to Him, if You are not callous and ungrateful, for the many times He has protected You in the past.

32- When You are present, Shri Krishna can easily bewilder Cupid. When You are not present, even though Shri krishna enchants the entire universe, He cannot protect Himself from the bewilderments of Cupid.

33- Decorated with many ornaments, Lord Hari sits on a couch of flowers in Radha-kunda's grove, which is filled with humming bees and singing cuckoos. He wonders whether You will come, He yearned for You to come. He constantly talks about You. Although He is the most powerful hero, He has lost all composure, being tortured by the cruel Cupid.

34- My dear saintly friend, handsome Lord Hari is now waiting in the grove by Radha-kunda. His complexion is the color of a fresh rain-cloud, and His exquisite garments are the color of gold. He wears glistening shark-shaped earrings and a garland of golden yuthika flowers. His body is anointed with attractive kumkuma, and His wide open eyes are like fully blossomed lotus flowers.

35- As Lord Hari waited for You on the path, He plays the flute, and the sound of His flute creates a gale that makes the blades of grass of the gopis' hearts and eyes repeatedly rise and fall. Lord Hari is repeatedly splashed by the tidal waves of the nectar-ocean of Your splendid beauty, He has now become caught in the powerful whirlpool controlled by the deity Cupid.

36- My dear moon-faced girl, please pour the flood of all Your talent on the supremely talented Lord Krishna, the killer of Bakasura. Offer Your youthful beauty to the youthful, handsome Lord Krishna. Direct Your thirst for romantic love upon the sublimely romantic Lord krishna. Offer some of Your garments to the impeccably dressed Lord Krishna, so He may wear them as a disguise. All these items are meant for Lord krishna's service. Give them to Him. That is their proper use.

37- O beautiful Radharani, Your lover Krishna is overwhelmed with love for You. Defeated by the powerful Cupid, Your Krishna is on the verge of complete collapse. Please quickly go to Him and save Him.

38- When Shrimati Radharani drank these nectarean words of Her friend, She longed to meet Krishna. Overwhelmed with ecstatic love, She became stunned and could no longer move.

39- Quickly arriving, Kundalata approached Shrimati Radharani. She twirled a toy lotus flower in her right hand as she grasped Radha's hand in her left.

40- Tulasi and Dhanistha stood in front of Shrimati Radharani. Visakha and Lalita stood at Her sides. The other gopis stood in a circle around Her.

41- Affectionate Rupa-manjari, carrying paraphernalia for worship of the sun-god, and accompanied by Dhanistha, Tulasi, and other contemporary gopi-friends followed behind Shrimati Radharani.

42- As Radharani and the gopis left the village o Vraja they noticed a beautiful woman carrying a jar of yogurt, a blue-jay, a brahmana, a mongoose, deer-herd, surabhi-cow with her calf, and a bull, passing one after another on their left side.

43- Youthful Shrimati Radharani glanced at a nearby pond and saw a blossoming lotus flower, a swarm of bumble-bees, and two dancing khanjana birds. Thinking the lotus flower was Her lover krishna's face, the swarm of bees was His moving locks of hair, and the two birds were His dancing eyes, Radharani became stunned in ecstasy.

44- When the gopis saw all these auspicious omens, they crookedly smiled and laughed. Filled with great happiness, they moved very slowly. As they walked by Her side, Shrimati Radharani, moving as lowly as an intoxicated elephant, approached the boundary of Vrndavana-forest.

45- As soon as Shrimati Radharani and Her friends entered the forest, the personified beauty of spring also entered. The beauty of spring caused the trees and creepers to bloom. She caused the cuckoos to vibrate sweet songs on their throats, and she caused the bumble-bees and sparrows to warble with pleasant waves of sound.

46- When Shrimati Radharani looked at the forest of Vrndavana, She thought it was in truth the desire-fulfilling transcendental form of Her beloved Krishna. She thought the splendor of the dark creepers in Vrndavana was actually the beauty of the transcendental limbs of her beloved Krishna. She thought the beautiful sesame flowers were the tilaka marking on the forehead of Her beloved. She thought the large arjuna trees where Visala, Arjuna, and other cowherd friends of Her beloved. She thought the fertile land was Lord Balarama, the elder brother of Her beloved. She thought the feathers worn by the peacocks were actually decorations on the crown of her beloved. She thought the flowers blossoming on the punnaga, amala, and campaka trees were flowers in the garland worn by Her beloved. She thought the many kancana and vidruma trees were gold and coral ornaments worn by her beloved. She thought the splendid tamala trees were the luster of the body of Her beloved. She thought the glistening gunjas were a gunja-necklace worn by her beloved. She thought the shade-giving kadamba trees had provided a place where Her beloved had sat down to rest. She thought the pleasant rustling sounds of the bamboos moving in the breeze were the sweet music of Her beloved played on his bamboo flute. She thought the resplendent pitana trees were the kumkuma powder worn by her beloved. She thought the many blossoming manmatha trees were the intense amorous desire of Her beloved. She thought the charming sporting of the handsome forest-birds were the beautiful pastimes of Her beloved krishna.

47- Whatever Shrimati Radharani saw She considered to be a limb of Lord Krishna, the enemy of Aghasura. the continual sight of Her beloved in this way became like arrows striking Her heart, and maddening Her thoughts. This is certainly very wonderful.

48- Shrimati Radharani was decorated with a garland of fresh flowers surrounded by intoxicated bumble-bees, and She was accompanied by jubilant gopi-friends. Her friend Visakha then led Her to a shady place. It was very clear that Radharani was greatly agitated by the awakening of amorous love for Her beloved Krishna.

49- Shrimati Radharani was consummately beautiful, Her form was as charming as a graceful creeper, and Her breasts were very large and pleasantly cool. She had the transcendental power to satisfy senses of Lord Krishna.

50- When the gopis looked at Vrndavana-forest, they thought it exactly resembled the form of Shrimati Radharani. They thought the beautiful birds in the forest were just like the ecstatic feelings of Radharani.

51- Shrimati Radharani thought: Why is it that even though My friends, the best and most expert of gopis diligently search the forest and caves of Vrndavana, still they cannot find Shri Krishna? Why is it that this lusty, greedy rake Krishna willfully abandons us? As Shrimati Radharani walked in the forest, She noticed on Her left side a black deer playing with many does and a peacock playing with many peahens. Bewildered by feelings of ecstatic love, She thought the deer and peacock were Her lover Krishna, and the many does and peahens were the gopis. Thinking in this way She became extremely agitated.

52- When Shrimati Radharani saw a dark tamala tree, it's roots covered by a flowering golden-jasmine creeper, and it's top branch the home of a dancing peacock, She became convinced that She had just seen Her lover Krishna, with His dark complexion, yellow dhoti, and peacock-feather crown.

53- Shrimati Radharani became convinced that Her lover Krishna must be with some other gopi. Bewildered by the snake of jealousy, passionate Radharani angrily moved Her fearsome eyebrow, and spoke the following words to Dhanistha:

54- Radha: My dear Dhanistha, what is this?

Dhanistha: Where?

Radha: What do you see before your eyes?

Dhanistha: This forest of Vrndavana.

Radha: What else do you see?

Dhanistha: I do not see anything else.

Radha: Shri Krishna, the shining moon of all deceivers, is dancing now before your eyes. O wicked Dhanistha, why do you not see Him? Why have you blindfolded yourself so you cannot see Him

55- Thinking She had just seen her lover Krishna dancing with another gopi, Shrimati Radharani said to Lalita and the others: My dear friends, just see this wonderful and auspicious dancing of the king and queen of cheaters.

56- Intoxicated by the honey of Shrimati Radharani's words, Dhanistha became also convinced that Shri Krishna was standing before them, arrogantly dancing with another gopi.

57- Dhanistha then said: O gopis, a clever, enthusiastic, false messenger has brought us here to make us dance with these two cheaters.

58- Just look at this deer Suranga who left his mate Rangini to sport with these other does, and will not stop his immoral behavior even after seeing he is in my presence. Does he not act in this way because he copies the actions of his master, the libertine Krishna?

59- Here is Krishna's pet peacock Tandavika, who rejects the association of his own mate, My pet peahen Sundari, and instead boldly plays with a host of other peahens. He has clearly learned this from his master Krishna.

60- Smiling Dhanistha then spoke the following words: O saintly Radha, we are all very happy that You have revealed to us the actual meaning of these dances by the deer and peacocks. Your explanations have revealed to us what we did not understand before.

61- Whether the beloved is easy to meet or remote and inacessible, it is the nature of lovers to always worry and imagine that so many obstacles may come between them and their beloved.

62- Dhanistha then turned to the gopis and said: My friends, let us immediately go to Krishna, describe this wonderful dancing of the deer and peacocks, and hear His interpretation of them. Because He is aware of Radha's good qualities He shall certainly affirm His love for Her, and express His desire to desire enjoy pastimes with Her.

63- Shrimati Radharani became surprised to se Her friends smiling so cheerfully. When She saw the trees embraced by their creepers, She remembered her beloved Krishna, and became a little embarrassed to have accused Him so strenuously.

64- As Shrimati Radharani noticed the Vrndavana forest happily blooming because of the it's contact with Lord krishna, She became very thirsty to drink the nectar of the wonderful sweetness of Krishna. In this condition She became mad with love of krishna and filled with various illusions. When the gopis noticed this they smiled and becoming themselves very eager to also meet Lord krishna began to walk very quickly to the place of rendezvous.

65- With unexpected suddenness Shrimati Radharani arrived at the temple of the sun-god in the flower pleasure-garden named Madana-rana.

66- With great devotion slender Radharani bowed down before the deity of the sun-god and begged with folded hands: O lord, please be merciful to Me and remove all the obstacles that stand between Me and Lord Govinda's lotus feet.

67- Her eyes, face, and heart blossoming with happiness, Shrimati Radharani again bowed down before the deity, and then left the temple with Her gopi friends.

68- Following Lalita's order, Tulasi and Dhanistha carried the paraphernalia of worship as they left the temple and entered the nearby garden with the other gopis.

69- Sweeter than many lotus flowers anointed with kumkuma, the tidal waves of the celestial Ganges river of the fragrance of Shrimati Radharani's transcendental form, suddenly inundated the forest of Vrndavana. When Lord Krishna filled His nostrils with this fragrance, he became overwhelmed with ecstatic love. The hairs of His body stood up, and; He moved about erratically like an intoxicated bumble-bee.

70- Perceiving the forest filled with Shrimati Radharani's sweet fragrance, Lord Hari considered that She must be very far away. He anxiously sent Vrnda-devi to find Radha, and bring Her to Him.

71- Eager to meet Radharani, Lord Krishna sent Vrnda-devi to fetch Her. When Vrnda-devi entered Nava-kunja, the personal abode of Vrndavana's king, she met Shrimati Radharani. When Radharani saw her, She thought Vrnda-devi to be the personified form of the fulfillment of all Her desires.

72- Vrnda-devi then gave to Her, Lord Krishna's two lotus-flower bumble-bee earrings, which were anointed with the fragrance of His transcendental body.

73- These flowers, touched by Lord Krishna, bore the distinct fragrance of His transcendental body. Perceiving this, Shrimati Radharani became mad with ecstatic love. At once She enthusiastically spoke with Vrnda-devi in the following words:

74-O My beloved friend Vrnda, where are you coming from?

I am coming from the feet of Shri Krishna.

Where is He?

In the forest on the bank of Radha-kunda.

What is He doing there?

He is learning dancing.

Who is His master?

Your image, Radha, revealing itself in every tree and creeper in every direction, is roaming like a skillful dancer, making Him dance behind.

75- Shrimati Radharani said: My dear Vrnda-devi, you are mistaken. It is not My form that Shri Krishna follows. Inspired by Padma-gopi and Saibya-gopi, Lord Krishna has became like a bumble-bee madly intoxicated by the hurricane=flood of Candravali-gopi's sweet transcendental fragrance.

76- Vrnda-devi said: The same expert krishna who killed the whirlwind demon Trnavarta has also stopped the whirlwind of Saibya-gopi and her friend Padma-gopi. feigning love for Candravali He has tricked them to take their friend to Gauri-tirtha for a rendezvous with Him that will never happen.

77- Shrimati Radharani said: What do we care what this Krishna does? Let us all bathe in the waters of the Ganges which flows from the lower planets into this lake of Syama-kunda. Then let us worship the sun-god according to the order of our superiors, and after that let us all go home.

78- Radha: Where are you going?

Vrnda: I am approaching Your lotus feet.

Radha: Why have you come to see Me?

Vrnda: To describe a very wonderful and auspicious event.

Radha: What is it?

Vrnda: By the mercy of Your glancing on it the forest of Vrndavana has now become decorated with the beautiful features of spring.(By the mercy of Your glance the forest of Vrndavana has now become decorated with Lord krishna's ecstatic feeling of love for You.)

79- Bold and talkative Kundalata then said: My dear Vrnda, do not speak these false messages. Afraid that Radharani may meet the rascal Krishna, the pious Jatila has placed Radharani in My care, asking me to take Her to the temple to worship sun-god.

80- The waters of the sacred Ganges flow from the lower planets into the Syama-kunda lake. After Radharani bathes in that lake, I shall bring Her to the temple to worship the sun-god.

81- Jatila has ordered that if Krishna directly goes to the Manasa-ganga, or if even there is the slightest scent of Krishna in the air, we should not take Radharani to that place.

82- Vrnda-devi then said: My dear Kundalata, how has Lord Hari made you afraid to go the Manasa-ganga. Listen, and I shall tell how we will remain unseen by Him, even if we go there.

83- At present the lovesick Krishna is in the grove by Radha-kunda. If we traverse the jasmine garden on the west and approach Syama-kunda from the east, we may bathe in it as long as we like, and then leave without having been seen by Him or anyone else.

84- Lalita then said: My dear Kundalata, you are acting just like a bewildered inexperienced, immature little girl. Why are you so afraid of your brother-in-law Krishna?

85- We shall see the beauty of the jasmine-garden, bathe in Syama-kunda, and then depart. What can this Krishna do to us?

86- Lalita continued: We girls may bathe and sport in a secluded place where no male may enter or see. My dear Vrnda-devi, please go at once, and block the entrance to this place. If Krishna comes, forcibly turn Him away. How can He enter if you prohibit Him?

87- Vrnda replied: I am very meek and gentle, and Krishna is very passionate and ferocious. It will be very difficult for me to keep Him away. Lalita responded; My friend, you are as powerful as a peacock. I am confident you shall easily chase away this Krishna.

88- Then Kundalata said: My dear Vrnda, you are mistaken. If Krishna wishes to place even half a limb in this forest of Syama-kunda, no one of you has the power to stop Him.

89- Vrnda-devi said: Just see the beautiful jasmine creepers clinging to these punnaga trees. I think these creepers are very eager to be tasted by the bumble-bees.(Just see Subhadra-gopa's beautiful wife Kundalata. I think she is very eager to take shelter of the Supreme Personality of Godhead Madhusudana, and be enjoyed by Him.)

90- Hearing this funny pun, all the gopis began to smile, except for Shrimati Radharani, who longed to meet Krishna, and whose limbs trembled out of deep love for Him. Vrnda-devi noticed all this, and proceeded to described Radharani's intense thirst to meet Krishna:

91- My dear Lalita, please hear this one question, and answer it at once. The question is: What should a gopi-breeze do when the king of cataka birds becomes overwhelmed with thirst by seeing a monsoon cloud on the horizon?(gopi-breeze is Shrimati Radharani, the king of cataka birds is Shri Krishna, and the monsoon clouds are the nectarean pastimes of Shri Shri Radha and krishna)

92- Lalita answered: That breeze should push those clouds from every direction towards that cataka birds. That breeze should cause those clouds to inundate that cataka bird day and night with monsoon-=rains of ever-fresh transcendental nectar. That breeze should do this at once, without waiting another moment.

93-Lalita continued: If this cataka bird is determined to drink only the water of these clouds, and will drink nothing else, then this breeze should at once carry these clouds to him, and make him happily drink their rains of nectar.

94- Lalita continued: If however, these dark cloud are actually dry and nectarless, then no matter how swiftly the breeze carries them, they will not give any pleasure to the cataka bird.

95- Hearing all this, Vrnda-devi said: My dear gopi-friend, all of you please go to Syama-kunda, take bath there, and then worship the sun-god. I shall post myself here, and prevent any unwanted persons from entering.

96- After all the gopis had left, clever Vrnda-devi called her two pet female parrots. Laghu-suksma-dhi and Subha. She asked Laghu-suksma-dhi to quickly go to Vraja and ensure that Abhimanyu's mother Jatila remains peacefully at home. She sent Subha to gauri-tirtha to ensure that Candravali stays there, peacefully waiting for the expected krishna.

97- After this Vrnda-devi went to a cottage where the gopis were fashioning paraphernalia for serving the Divine Couple. Seeing the many different articles, she became very pleased, and loudly praised the gopis there.

98- Vrnda-devi employed many gopis in fashioning paraphernalia for the Divine Couple's pastimes in many different places. They made many articles for the Divine Couple's pastimes of holi, sitting on the swing, drinking madhvika nectar, amorous encounters in the forest, exchanges in the forest, playing in the water, water-sports, forest-picnic, and afternoon nap.

99- Relating the news of the Divine Couple's imminent arrival. Vrnda-devi delighted the moving and non-moving creatures of Vrndavana, who all assist the Divine Couple in Their pastimes.

100- Vrnda-devi then entered the grove where Lord Krishna was staying. She yearned that the full ;moon of the sight of the Divine Couple would rise over the nectar-ocean o divine love, and inundate her with a series of great tidal waves.

101- Then, eager to personally witness the Divine Couple's transcendental pastimes, Nandimukhi left the gopis and joined Vrnda-devi in that grove.

102- Waiting in that grove, Lord krishna directly saw His beloved Radharani as She passed along the bakula-tree-lined road with Her friends. Seeing Her, He became overwhelmed with amorous desires. Stunned, He could not move from that spot.

103- When Shrimati Radharani saw her lover Krishna standing by the road, She became astonished and overwhelmed with intense love. the gopis thought krishna to be a tamala tree, and they all laughed at Radharani, causing Her great embarrasment.

104- As They glanced at each other, the Divine Couple became intoxicated with transcendental bliss, and Their hearts became conquered by seeing each other's limitless transcendental qualities. In the following words They guessed about the identity of what They had just seen:

105- Is this the deity of bodily luster? Is this he goddess of youthfulness? Is this personified transcendental opulence? Is this personified sweetness? Is this personified slender gracefulness? Is this the ocean of beauty? Is this the flowing river of transcendental bliss? Is this the great monsoon rains of nectar? Perhaps this is actually a beautiful girl who delights senses in this way.

106- Lord Krishna continued: The beautiful face of this person is like a moon that delights the cakora birds of My eyes. This person is like a host of lotus flowers that delight the bumble-bees of My nose. This person is like a flood of mango-juice inundating the cuckoo of My tongue. This person is like an assemblage of pleasantly jingling ornaments that delights My ear. This person is like a river of nectar that extinguishes the blazing forest-fire of My lust. This person is like a blossoming kalpa-vrksa tree that fulfills all My desires. I think this person must be My beloved Shrimati Radharani.

107- Shrimati Radharani then said: Is this a dark tamala tree? Is this a fresh raincloud? Is this a sapphire mountain-peak? Is this a mountain-range of black cosmetic? Is this a swarm of intoxicated bumble-bees? Is this the dark current of the Yamuna river? Is this a cluster of blue lotus flowers? Is this the sidelong glance of the deer-eyed gopis? Is this the handsome demigod Cupid? Is this the pious monarch of all sweetness? Is this the expanded ocean of nectar? Is this a blossoming amara tree? I think this is My lover, Lord Krishna. How is it that I have become so fortunate as to meet Him in this place?

108- Shrimati Radharani said: O My friend Visakha, I am bewildered. I do not know whether this is My lover Krishna or a blue lotus flower standing before the two bumble-bees of My eyes. Please tell Me the truth, what is this beautiful object standing before Me? After speaking these words, Shrimati Radharani's bodily hairs stood up in ecstasy, Her voice became choked up, and Her eyes moved restlessly about. As the gopis smiled and laughed, Visakha answered her question in the following words:

109- Standing before You is the dark tilaka-marking that will be drawn in musk on Your forehead. Standing before You is the series of designs and pictures that will be drawn in musk on Your breasts. Standing before You is the musk-dot that will be placed on Your chin. Standing before You is the black mascara that will adorn Your eyes. Standing before You is the pair of blue-lotus ornaments that will adorn Your ears. Standing before You is the garland of blue lotus flowers that will rest upon Your neck. My dear friend with the beautiful face, Standing before You is Your lover Lord Krishna. Standing before You is Your Supreme good fortune.

110- By seeing each other the Divine Couple became overwhelmed with ecstatic love, and Their hearts, minds, and bodies became agitated with intense bliss. For a moment They stood stunned, unable to move or act.

111- Thus ends the eight chapter of Govinda-lilamrta in the matter of the Lord's midday pastimes. Shrila Raghunatha dasa Goswami has ordered me to write this book, which I have been able to do by the blessing of Shrila Raghunatha Bhatta Goswami and the saintly association of Shrila Jiva Goswami. I consider this book the ripened fruit of the service I have rendered to Shrila Rupa Goswami, who is like a bumble-bee relishing the honey at the lotus feet of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

Chapter 9

1- Vrnda-devi, who taught the minds of the Divine Couple to dance in transcendental love, engaged these two male pupils in dancing with the two female dancers who were the bodies of the Divine Couple. She had these four dancers perform before the audience of the assembled gopis.

2- The dancing teacher Vrnda-devi then decorated her two male dancing-students the mind of the Divine Couple. She happily placed upon Them restlessness, yearning, jubilation, and other ornaments of ecstatic love.

3- Vrnda-devi then decorated the female-dancer of Shrimati Radharani's body with the various ornaments of ecstatic love; udbhasvara-bhava, jrmbha-bhava, suddipta-bhava, and sattvika-bhava.

4- Vrnda-devi then decorated the female-dancer of Shrimati Radharani's body with the seven ayatnaja-bhava (such as vilasa-bhava), the ten svabhavas (such as sobha-bhava), and the three angaja-bhava (such as bhava).

5- Vrnda-devi then decorated the beautiful female dancer of Shrimati Radharani's body with twenty-two ornaments of ecstatic love (such as cakita and maugdhya).

6-7- Vrnda-devi then decorated the expert female dancer of Shri Krishna's body with the various ornaments of ecstatic love; udbhasvara-bhava, jrmbha-bhava, suddipta-bhava, the seven sattvika-bhavas, the sabhavas,the ayatnaja-bhava (such as sobha-bhava), and the angaja-bhava (such as bhava-bhava).

8- Vrnda-devi engaged these ecstatic sentiments in dancing on the stage of the bodily beauty of the Divine Couple. When the gopis in the audience saw the graceful dancing, they all became filled with great delight.

9- The two proud and happy female dancers of the Divine Couple's transcendental bodies danced together, displaying great artistic skill. The audience of gopis became very pleased with Them, and rewarded Them with gifts of many precious gems from the gopi's own bodies and hearts.

10- Shri Krishna made the two expert dancers of his eyes dance on the glistening stage of the sweet beauty of the female dancer of Shrimati Radharani's transcendental body. This dancing greatly pleased Shrimati Radharani who showered many delightful lotus flower on the dancers from the corners of Her eyes. When the gopis in the audience saw all this they became filled with transcendental happiness.

11- When Shrimati Radharani saw Lord Krishna just before Her, her progress stopped and She assumed an attitude of opposition. Although Her face was slightly covered by a blue garment, her two starry eyes were agitated, being wide and curved. Thus She was decorated with the ornaments of Vilasa, and Her beauty increased to give pleasure to Shri Krishna, the Supreme Personality  of Godhead.

12- Radharani was drawn to Krishna. She longed to be with Him, but She felt shy because Her gopi-friends were by Her side. Although She was extremely delighted and agitated with intense ecstatic love for Krishna, She carefully concealed Her actual dealings, pretending to casually pick some flowers on the path leading back to her own home.

13- Shrimati Radharani was attracted to Krishna, but because She was surrounded by elder, stronger gopi-friends, who understood the nature of her desire. She felt timid. She neither left the place, nor approached closer to Krishna.

14- When Shrimati Radharani was decorated with the ornament of lalita-alankara just to increase Shri Krishna's love, an attractive curve was manifest by Her neck, knees and waist. This was brought about by Her timidity and apparent desire to avoid Krishna. The flickering movement of Her eyebrows could conquer the powerful bow of Cupid. to increase the joy of Her beloved's love, Her body was decorated with the ornaments of lalita-alankara.

15- the male-dancer of Lord Hari's mind became very pleased to see the beautiful transcendental qualities of the female-dancer of Shrimati Radharani's body. when He approached to embrace Her, the female dancer of Lord Hari's transcendental body followed close behind.

16- Shri Krishna said to Shrimati Radharani: My beloved, in Your haste to meet Me at this rendezvous You have placed Your garments and ornaments in all the wrong places. This shows how restless and agitated Your mind is with the desire to meet Me. Come here, and I shall fix Your garments and ornaments, putting them in the right places. Although Shrimati Radharani yearned to be touched by Her lover, Krishna, She restlessly moved her eyes, and silently shrank from His joking advances. In this way She delighted Lord Krishna by decorating Her beautiful form with the ornament known as vibharam-alankara.

17- Displaying shyness, fear, crookedness, and clever deeptiveness, Shrimati Radharani picked some flowers, and then began to move away. Amorous Lord Hari stood in front of Her to check Her departure. Although Radharani was inwardly delighted by this, She pretended to be very angry.

18- Agitated by tears, Shrimati Radharani's eyes were tinged with red, just like the eastern horizon at sunrise. Her lips began to move with jubilation and lusty desire. Her eyebrows curved, and Her lotuslike face smiled mildly. Seeing Radharani's face exhibit such emotion, Lord Shri Krishna felt a million times happier than when embraced Her. Indeed, Lord Shri Krishna's happiness is not at all mundane.

19- Alarmed, Shrimati Radharani raised Her creeperlike arm as if to pick a flower from the blossoming branch of a nearby punnaga tree.

20- Delighted by the touch of Radharani's hand, the buds on the punnaga branch at once wonderfully burst into full bloom. At the same time the Supreme Personality of Godhead Lord Krishna also wonderfully blossomed with great happiness by seeing the place under His beloved's arms.

21- Although Lord Krishna had carefully studied the many texts of the philosophy of love from His saintly young teacher, He still wished to defeat Her in debate. This is certainly very astonishing.

22- Krishna: Who is this picking My flower? Radha: It is not just anyone. It is I. Who are You? You do not know who I am? No. I do not know You_ If You do not recognized Me, I think You should leave this place at once_ I am a male bumble-bee drinking the honey of these flowers. If I leave this place I shall not be able to live. If I leave this place where shall I go? Go to Your bumble-bee mate_ Are You not the bumble-bee mate I have found among these flowers? After speaking these words, Lord Madhusudana approached nearer to Shrimati Radharani. He then spoke the following words:

23- My dear girl You are very charming, and You are also enchantly beautiful. In addition to this You are also very saintly and born in a highly respectable noble family. In spite of these exalted qualification You are not so timid that You will not approach this punnaga tree. If You are not reluctant to approach this tree in the forest, then why should You be ashamed to freely wander from forest to forest? Your sudden shyness is certainly very surprising.

24- You, and I, and all our friends have come to this forest to worship the sun-god. We are all very enthusiastic to worship him. My dear girl, just look at this punnaga tree. Although the flowering malati-creepers enthusiastically embrace him, he still does not embrace them in return.

25- My dear girl with beautiful face, You look bewildered. I think You do not understand anything of the words I have spoken. Listen carefully, and I shall explain them to You. I said that this punnaga tree is cooled by various friendly and unfriendly winds. I said that although many malati-creepers embrace this punnaga tree, he never embraces them in return.

26- Emperor Cupid, the ruler of this forest, has happily appointed Me as his policeman. I have personally seen You steal a flower here, and so I shall now punish You by confiscating these two jeweled pitchers sprouted from Your youthful beauty.

27- If You had asked permission, saying: I request that I may be allowed to pick a flower, then I would not even notice You picking flowers. I am always accompanied by My cowherd friends, and I never have the opportunity to see any beautiful young girls. How can I refuse a beautiful young girl like You? Indeed, what young boy can retain a peaceful demeanor when he sees a beautiful young girl like You in a secluded place like this?

28- Furthermore, You are not alone, You are always surrounded by thousands of gopis-accomplices. You have stolen the supreme treasure in this pious kingdom, and if I do not punish You, then I Myself will be severely punished by king Cupid.

29- At that time Shrimati Radharani replied in the following words: We regularly pick flowers from this forest, but yet we have never before seen You posted here as a policeman. As for this Emperor Cupid, we have never heard of him, even in dream, so why do You uselessly chatter these lies? give up these tall stories about cupid, and tell us the truth.

30- Lord Krishna replied in the following words: Intently devoted to herding the surabhi cows, and blindly confident that everything was already protected by My great prowess, I neglected My guard-duties. Because of My neglect You were able to steal some of this forest's wealth without being detected.

31- King Cupid has already punished Me for tolerating Your crimes, but now hiding Myself, I have captured You. For Your own good I shall now hand You over to him, and that King Cupid, of whom You have never heard, You will see with Your own eyes.

32- Radharani said: Be kind. Excuse My crime. Do not punish Me. I did not know there was a policeman guarding these forests. Lord Krishna said: How is Your release possible? I have no power to release You from the hand of justice.

33- The moving and stationary creatures of the forest became very agitated to see Your crimes, and they reported all of them to King Cupid. King Cupid angrily punished Me with a stick for My incompetence, and ordered Me to bring before him this girl who has never heard of him.

34- This forest, which has an area of 32 miles, is Cupid's kingdom, and the grass and other valuable objects in the forest are King Cupid's treasury. You ask: Who are his objects? Listen attentively and I shall describe them. King Cupid's subjects are the saintly vraja-gopis, who are enriched with the beauty and opulence of all the universe.

35-38- Lord Krishna continued: My dear girl, I think that the limbs of Your body, embarrassed by great poverty, have become professional thieves, and they wander through this forest of Vrndavana, stealing the wealth that Cupid has placed there. I think the palm of Your hand must have stolen it's beauty from the lotus petals in Vrndavana. I think Your body has certainly stolen the graceful motions of the swans and intoxicated elephants. I think Your fingernails and toenails have stolen their beauty from the mirrorlike reflections in the still ponds of Vrndavana. I think Your legs have stolen their beauty from the golden plantain trees. I think Your knees have stolen their beauty from exquisitely fashioned jeweled cases. I think Your thighs have stolen their beauty from the graceful trunks of the elephants. I think Your torso has stolen the beauty of the splendid courtyards by the Yamuna's shore. I think Your waist has stolen it's beauty from the slender waist of the lion. I think Your navel has stolen it's beauty from the ponds of nectar. I think the line of hairs stretching from Your navel to Your breasts has stolen it's beauty from the glistening black snake. I think Your abdomen has stolen it's beauty from the banyan leaves. I think Your breasts have stolen their beauty from tala fruits, shri fruits, unblossomed lotus buds, cupid's personal throne, and the frontal lobes of regal elephants. I think Your arms have stolen their beauty from lotus stalks, and cupid's rope. I think Your fingers have stolen their beauty from the petals of the asoka flowers. I think You have stolen Your beauty from the multitude of cupid's own personal potencies. I think Your bodily luster has stolen it's beauty from the flashes of lightning. I think the hair on Your head has stolen it's beauty from the swarms of black bumble-bees. I think Your teeth have stolen their beauty from the pearls and diamonds. I think Your skin has stolen it's beauty from gold. I think Your eloquent words have stolen their charm from the parrots' speeches. I think Your singing has stolen it's beauty from the cuckoos' songs. I think Your dancing has stolen it's gracefulness from the peacocks. I think Your eyes have stolen their beauty from white jasmine flowers, saphari fishes, cakora birds, khanjana birds, and the eyes of does. I think Your eyebrows have stolen their beauty from Cupid's bow. U think the movements of Your eyes have stolen their beauty from cupid's bowstring. I think Your glances have stolen their beauty from cupid's sharpened arrows. I think Your lips have stolen their beauty from roses and bandhujiva flowers. I think Your teeth have stolen their beauty from pomegranate seeds. I think Your neck has stolen it's beauty from the lines in the conch-shell. I think Your hair stolen it's beauty from the camara's tail. I think Your graceful gestures have stolen their beauty from the gentle waves in the Yamuna river. In this way everything You have has been stolen. It is actually the property of Emperor Cupid.

39-40- Lord Krishna's joking words were like nectar flowing into Radharani's ears. Hearing these words caused Her body to spontaneously manifest various symptoms of ecstatic love, which She was able to suppress and conceal only with great effort. She whispered under Her breath: What lies has this libertine Krishna placed upon My ears. I must leave this place immediately. From the corner of Her eyes charming Radharani contemptously stared at Her lover Krishna. Feigning indifference, She began to quickly exit. Lord Hari grasped the corner of Her sari, and said: Wicked girl, first You insult Me, and then You try to escape. Where do You think You are going?

41- Lord krishna's touch overwhelmed Radharani with feelings of ecstatic bliss. Her head tilted, Radharani gazed at Her beloved Krishna.

42- Shrimati Radharani's smiling glance ran from the corner of Her contempt filled eyes to Lord Krishna's lotus face, and then back again, just as a swarm of bees flies back and forth from a lotus flower. Reddened with tears of happiness by Lord krishna's touching Her sari's edge, Radharani's glance drowned Her beloved Krishna in a shoreless ocean of transcendental bliss.

43- As Shrimati Radharani pulled Lord Krishna's hand from Her sari's edge, She pierced Him with Cupid's arrows shot from the corner of Her crooked eyes. Blinded and maddened with ecstatic love, She spoke the following words to Her beloved Krishna, whose beautiful lotus face was decorated with a gentle smile as sweet as nectar:

44- My dear Krishna, I think You are the most handsome and sweet thing in all the material or spiritual worlds. You are perfectly correct to laugh at My beauty and criticize it for being a thief.

45- My dear Krishna, You certainly know everything about the beauty of the young gopis, for when, with saintly simplicity, they placed their folded hands on their heads to offer prayers to Varuna, You saw the beauty of their naked bodies.

46- My dear Krishna, as the worshippable, virtuous, supremely qualified young prince of Vraja, You could have married any one of countless beautiful girls. That You remain unmarried is proof of how vigorously You control Your senses and how firmly You are fixed in the vow of celibacy.

47- My dear Krishna, You nevertheless possess a certain attribute such that there is no girl who, after hearing of it, will agree to accept You as her husband.

48- My dear Krishna, because no girl will marry You, You are forced to remain celibate. This is no great credit to You.

49- My dear Krishna, if You are such a staunch celibate brahmachari, then why are You so eager to gaze into the faces of the wives of others? Why do You enjoy amorous pastimes with the wives of others?

50- My dear Krishna, I think that You falsely pose as a celibate brahmachari to trick others. A brahmachari is supposed to perform Vedic sacrifices. I think the only sacrifice You perform is to break the chastity of the young girls and saintly wives of Vraja.

51- My dear Krishna, we all thought that You were incharge of herding numberless surabhi cows. Now it appears You have abandoned that occupation and become policeman of the forest where trees, creepers and flowers grow without having been planted by any farmer. This is certainly very wonderful.

52- This famous forest of Vrndavana was created by the potency of Our friend Vrnda-devi. She gave it to Me, and she personally crowned Me as it's queen, showering Me with precious gems. It is not true that You and King Cupid are the rulers of this place.

53- This is My pastime-forest, on the shore of My lake. This is My grove, named kama-sarma-prada, where My throne is placed.

54- No males are allowed to enter this place, which bears the name kanta-varta-sudha-dhuk (the nectar-news of the lover). My gopi-friends always stay in this place, drinking the nectar of the news of My lover.

55- We are simply picking a single flower to serve the sun-god. Why are You so shameless and selfish that You wish to stop us?

56- My dear celibate brahmachari, You have no business in this flower-garden where young girls play. Leave this place. Return to Your cowherd friends, and protect the surabhi cows as they eat the fresh grasses of Vraja.

57- As Radharani spoke, the cakora bird of Lord Hari eagerly drank the flood of nectarean joking words flowing from Shrimati Radharani's cooling, beautifully smiling moonlike face. As the cakora-bird Hari drank, the cakora-birds of the gopis' eyes showed signs of dissatisfaction.

58- Shrimati Radharani proceeded to decorate the neck of Her lover Krishna with a garland of the blue lotus flowers of Her sidelong glances. She became afraid that Krishna might touch Her, and, expressing Her contempt for Him in a wordless breath, playfully turned as if to leave His company at once.

59- The transcendental body of His beloved Radharani was like a wonderful dancer performing before Lord Krishna. By seeing Her, He became agitated with amorous longings, and He again grasped the edge of Her sari.

60- Shrimati Radharani bent the bow of Her eyebrows and attacked Her beloved Krishna with the arrows of glances from the reddened corners of her eyes. She pierced the armor of His peaceful composure, and repeatedly stuck Him with the toy lotus flower in Her hand.

61- Struck by Radharani's lotus, Lord krishna became filled with transcendental bliss. Indeed, He was not able to measure the intense happiness that filled His transcendental body, the resting-place of numberless universes. Out of ecstatic happiness He trembled, perspired, shed tears, and the hairs of His body stood erect.

62- The touch of Lord Krishna caused Shrimati Radharani's transcendental body to blossom with happiness. The knot holding Her bodice became loose, Her silk undergarment began to slip, and the lower part of Her body began to perspire.

63- When Shrimati Radharani saw the smiles of Her amused gopi-friends, She became embarrassed, and Her eyes moved restlessly. As She struggled to protect Herself from Lord Krishna's hand, Her sari and undergarments began to fall. Although ordinarily very expert, She became bewildered and unable to protect Herself.

64- Lord Krishna then began the jubilant festival of cupid by placing His hand near Shrimati Radharani's breasts, which were like two beautiful golden waterpots filled with Her perspiration.

65- Shrimati Radharani observed Lord Krishna from the reddish corner of Her left eye and Her smiling gopi-friends with Her other eye. She hastily tried, somehow or other, to keep Krishna's hand from ripping Her undergarments.

66- Shrimati Radharani simultaneously smiled and shed tears. With crooked eyes and stuttering voice She criticizing Her lover, although actually She longed for His embraces. With crooked activities born of crooked happiness Shrimati Radharani pretended to resist Lord Krishna's hand, although She actually had no objection to fulfilling any of His desires.

67- There was a great struggle between the hand of Shrimati Radharani and the hand of Lord Krishna. Their bracelets tinkling pleasantly, these two hands appeared like two lotus flowers filled with swarms of loudly buzzing bees, and violently moving in the wind.

68- Lalita then forced Her way between the two combatants and pushed Lord Krishna away from Shrimati Radharani. Kundavali then addressed Krishna: O Krishna pleased do not act in this way. Instead of this, You should diligently engage in worshipping the five most important demigods. This is what You should do.

69- Lord Krishna replied: O Kundalata, I now request that You become the chief priest in the sacrifice of cupid I am about to perform. Please give Me the proper paraphernalia to perform the sacrifice, and please designate the place where it should be performed. This is My request.

70- I have no qualification to act as priest, although I have heard some secret mantras from Nandimukhi. Because You are my dear brother-in-law, I shall now recite these mantras for You.

71- In this sacrifice to the deity cupid You should first place Your red lotus hand on Shrimati Radharani's left breast. Meditate

on this breast as the forehead of Ganesa, and then recite the

mantra "Namo ganesaya te" (O Ganesa, I offer My respectful

obeisances unto you).

72- Next place Your lotus hand on Radharani's right breast. Meditating on this breast as the linga deity of Lord Siva, recite the mantra "Namah sivya". Next place Your hand on the head of this crooked-eyebrowed Radharani, and recite "Hrim candikayai namah".

73- Despite all Her resistance, take Radharani' beautiful chin in one hand and the back of Her neck, where Her braids begin, in the other. Then place Your lotus face against Her moonlike face, and carefully recite the best of all mantra "Om namo visnava" (I offer My respectful obeisances to Lord Vishnu).

74- Despite Shrimati Radharani's resistance, forcibly place Your bandhujiva flower lips and jasminelike teeth upon Radharani's glistening red lips. At that time chant the mantra "savitre namah" (I offer My respectful obeisances unto the sun-god).

75- When Lord Krishna began to follow these instructions for the worship of cupid, Radharani strenuously resisted, beating Lord Krishna with Her lotus flower earrings, and vehemently criticizing Kundalata. Seeing this, Lord Krishna appealed to the gopis in the following words:

76- My dear gopi-friends, in order to become free from all obstacles in this great sacrifice to the deity cupid, I must first worship the five important demigods. Please tell Me, then, why does your friend Radharani attack and beat Me at this auspicious time?

77- Hearing this, the smiling gopis stared with crooked eyebrows, as they replied with extravagantly arrogant words, until they were stopped by the glance of Visakha. Visakha also checked Kundalata, and proceeded to speak the following words to Lord Krishna:

78- A householder in enjoined to perform his religious duties with the assistance of his wife, and the garments of both partners should be tied together to symbolize their equality. You have begin this sacrifice by completely neglecting that ritual. Why should my religious friend not become angry with You for this omission?

79- Angry Radharani stared with crooked eyebrows at both Visakha and Lord Krishna whose lips glistened with a smile. As She stared, Kundalata stealthily crept behind Her and gleefully tied the corner of Her garment with the garment of Krishna.

80- Although Shrimati Radharani remained unaware of Kundalata's action, Lord Madhava was very pleased by Kundalata's service of tying the garments. Kundalata then approached the Divine Couple and addressed the following words to Lord Krishna: How is it possible to begin this sacrifice without further introductory prayers and rituals? In order to attain perfect success in this sacrifice You should now worship the deities of the nine planets.

81- Lord Krishna said to her: Please teach Me how to worship the deities of the planets. Glancing at Shrimati Radharani's limbs, Kundalata replied:

82- The nine planets to be worshipped are the lips, two eyes, two cheeks two breasts, forehead, and mouth of Shrimati Radharani. You should satisfy these nine planets by offering each of them the blossoming bandhuka flower of Your lips.

83- Afraid of Lord Krishna, to whose garment She was tied, Shrimati Radharani said to Kundalata: My dear priest, you should teach your student how to worship these planets by having Him experiment first with the limbs of your own body.

84- Bending Her neck, Radharani noticed the knot which tying Her garment with Krishna's garment. Although Her face blossomed with happiness because this knot was the fulfillment of Her real desire, She still pretended to have become angry with Krishna, Lalita, Visakha, and Kundalata. As She struggled to quickly untie the knot, She spoke the following words:

85- In this gross and immoral vaudeville act Krishna is the male dancer. Visakha is the leading female dancer, Lalita is the leader of the audience, and Kundalata is the clown.

86- This Krishna is a shameless, immoral degenerate. Even if countless wives crowed His lap, He will still chase after some other woman.

87- Rejecting Radharani's criticism, Lord Krishna began forcibly kissing Her mouth and face. She resisted, determined to stop Him and untie the knot holding Them together.

88- In the ensuing struggle neither part could gain the upper hand. Proud Lalita approached Them. With feigned anger she chastised Lord Krishna. She began to untie the knot.

89- Lalita said: If You wish to tie the marriage-knot, and if You cannot find a suitable young girl in Vraja, then ask Your sister-in-law Kundalata, and she will be more than glad to become Your matchmaker.

90- Lalita untied the knot and pulled the garments apart. Smiling charmingly and moving her eyebrows, Lalita glanced at Lord Krishna and hinted that He continue His aggressive advances. Lalita said:

91- Your priest Kundalata was certainly very bewildered when she engaged You, her ignorant disciple, student, in the worship of the planetary deities, but neglected the worship of the deities who preside over the directions. This is a great fault on her part.

92- Kundalata then said: I am not bewildered. It is you who are the fool. Everyone knows that in a sacrifice for the cupid deity one should worship the planetary deities before worshiping the deities who preside over the directions.

93- Lord Krishna then asked Kundalata to named the deities of the various directions. Kundalata winked at the gopis, and began to speak:

94- Just see: The deities of the directions are so eager to be worshiped by You and fulfill all Your desires that they have now personally appeared before us.

95-97- This girl Visakha is actually the incarnation of Lord Siva, the regent of the Northeast. This Lalita is the incarnation of Lord Indra, the regent of the eastern direction. Sudevi is the incarnation of Agni, the regent of the Southeast. Tungavidya is the incarnation of Yamaraja. The regent of the southern direction. Citra is the incarnation of Nairrtya, the regent of the southwest. Rangadevi is the incarnation of Varuna, the regent of the western direction. Indulekha is the incarnation of Vayu, the regent of the northwest. Campakalata is the incarnation of Kuvera, the regent of the north. Shri Rupa-manjari who expert at making arrangements for the nectar of transcendental mellows, is the incarnation of Lord Brahma, the regent of the upper worlds. Expert Ananga-manjari is the incarnation of the Lord Anantadeva, the regent of the nether worlds.

98- These girls are all incarnations of the demigods who control the directions. They are all Your sincer well-wishers, and they have come here specifically to receive Your worship. If You worship them properly, You will attain the fulfillment of all Your desires.

99- At that moment the gopis began to loudly complain: O foolish, degraded, bold, arrogant, wicked, shameless Kundalata, do not encourage your brother-in-law to worship us. Observing all this, Lord Krishna quickly approached the gopis to began His worship.

100- When the gopis saw Lord Krishna moving towards them, they became filled with anxiety for their own protection.

101- Lord Krishna approached the restless-eyed gopis one-by-one, and began to worship them as incarnations of the demigod. Before half the ceremony was completed, each gopi fled to take shelter of her friends, either fabricating some excuse, or quickly leaving without any words.

102- One gopi fled muttering humble apologies. Another arrogantly criticized Krishna and then fled. Another fled so quickly that she left her cape behind, and others fled in various ways.

103- When Lord Krishna saw the gopis' faces nicely decorated with a mixture of smiles, frowns, tears, and restlessly moving, crooked, reddish, blossomed wide-open eyes, He attained the wonderful transcendental delight He wished to find by performing these pastimes.

104- The gopis fled, taking shelter around Shrimati Radharani, as if She were a secure fortress to protect them. The gopis' glistening, restless eyes were like thirsty cakora birds rushing towards the moon of Lord Krishna's face.

105- Seeing the beauty of naughty Shrimati Radharani, and seeing the blossoming lotus faces of the gopis, the bold bumble-bee Madhusudana became determined to approach them and drink their honey.

106- Neglecting the other gopis, Lord Krishna immediately approached Shrimati Radharani. She began to angrily criticize Him. Stunned and frightened, He gradually turned His glance to the face of Kundalata.

107- Thus ends the ninth chapter of Govinda-lilamrta in the matter of the Lord's midday pastimes. Shrila Raghunatha dasa Goswami ordered me to write this book, which I have been able to do by the blessing of Shrila Raghunatha Bhatta Goswami and the saintly association of Shrila Jiva Goswami. I consider this book the ripened fruit of the service I have rendered to Shrila Rupa Goswami, who is like a bumble-bee relishing the honey at the lotus feet of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

Chapter 10

1- Lord Krishna seemed to be lament the many impediments obstructing His wish-fulfilling cupid-sacrifice. Understanding the meaning of Lord Krishna's glance, and appearing to be also very depressed, Kundalata approached Lord Krishna, and spoke the following words:

2- My dear Krishna, You are just like the demigod Siva. Just as Siva burned the cupid to ashes, in the same way You have made cupid powerless, and made the sacrifice to him useless. If You retain the nature of Siva, how do You expect to reap the benefits of performing the cupid-sacrifice? My dear amorous Krishna, at once give up this alien nature of Siva, and accept Your own original feature.

3- Formerly everyone thought Me the incarnation of Lord Siva, the enemy of cupid. Now I shall prove I am not Cupid's enemy. I shall make a gift of each one of My limbs to My beloved Radharani, the friend of cupid.

4- Lord Siva is famous for giving half of his body to his wife Parvati. I shall eclipse his fame. I shall now become more famous than all expert and submissive lovers, for I shall now give My entire body to My beloved Radharani.

5- Shrimati Radharani was afraid of Krishna, and She alertly watched to ward off His approach. He stealthily approached without Her knowledge. Eager to embrace Her, He spoke the following words:

6- My dear fair-complexioned girl, please take this body, I am offering to You. It is actually the body of Lord Siva. As Lord Krishna spoke these words, He yearned to embrace Shrimati Radharani. Hearing His words, She at once began to flee, but Lord krishna forcibly caught Her in His arms.

7- Simultaneously smiling and crying tears, Shrimati Radharani reproached Him with broken words. Somehow She extricated Herself from His embrace, and angrily stood before Him.

8- Eager to taste the nectar of Her face, a swarm of bees flew near Radharani's ear, frightened Her with their buzzing sounds. Radharani lost all Her peacefulness. She gazed at Krishna, the master of Her life, with anxious, restless eyes, and suddenly fell upon Him, embracing Him with Her arms.

9- When the gopis began to smile at all this, Radharani became embarrassed and earnestly tried to slip out of Krishna's embrace. Krishna laughed, held her very firmly, and would not let Her go. She appeared like a glittering lightning flash permanently resting against a dark cloud.

10- For Lord Krishna's pleasure, Radharani at once began a verbal and psychological war with the gopis, who were all filled with a combination of anger, shyness, happiness, and female duplicity, and who were all intent on encouraging the amorous pastimes of the Divine Couple.

11- Struggling with both hands, Shrimati Radharani freed Herself from the tight embrace of Her lover's arms. Simultaneously smiling and shedding tears, She spoke clever puns mixed with curses, prayers, vociferous criticisms, and humble apologies, all intended to mean the exact opposite of what was said. By all this, She delighted Her gopi-friends and Lord Krishna.

12- When the gopis saw the strong embraces of the Divine Couple, their faces blossomed with transcendental happiness, and they trembled, showing various signs of ecstatic bliss. Observing all this, Vrnda-devi spoke to Nandimukhi the following words:

13- The gopis are not embraced by Lord Hari. He does not even touch them. Still, when they see that Shrimati Radharani strongly embraced by Him for a long time, they become filled with ecstatic bliss, just as if He had embraced them, and not Radharani. This is certainly very astonishing.

14- When the gopis cannot see Lord Krishna, then they yearn to see Him. When they see Him, they yearn to touch Him. However, when He touches them, they become angry and contrary. This is certainly very astonishing.

15- Nandimukhi then said to Vrnda-devi, the controller of Vrndavana-forest: The beautiful and exalted Vraja-gopis only desire the pleasure of Lord Krishna and for this purpose they dedicated their bodies and minds. For this reason their activities for His pleasure are not at all astonishing.

16- All the gopis, the personal friends of Shrimati Radharani,are equal to Her. Krishna is pleasing to the inhabitants of Vrajabhumi, just as the moon is pleasing to the lotus flower. His pleasure-giving potency is known as hladini, of which the active principle is Shrimati Radharani. She is compared to a creeper with newly grown flowers and leaves. When the nectar of Krishna's pastimes is sprinkled on Shrimati Radharani, all Her friends, the gopis, immediately appreciate the pleasure, a hundred times more than if they were sprinkled themselves. Actually this is not at all wonderful.

17- The pastimes of Shri Shri Radha and Krishna are self-effulgent. they are happiness personified, unlimited and all-powerful. Even so, the spiritual humors of such pastimes are never complete without the gopis, the Lord's personal friends. the Supreme Personality of Godhead is never complete without His spiritual potencies, therefore unless one takes shelter of the gopis, one cannot enter into the company of Radha and Krishna. Who can be interested in Their spiritual pastimes without taking their shelter?

18- Shrimati Radharani is as beautiful as a blossoming golden creeper, and Lord Krishna is as handsome as a blossoming tamala tree. Who would not become delighted by seeing this handsome Divine Couple?

19- The beautiful gopis are the purest lovers of Krishna. When they display crookedness and contrariness toward Him, they act only to please Him. They do not act for their own happiness.

20- Shrimati Radharani yearned for the touch of Lord Krishna, and when His arm firmly pressed against Her breasts, She became overwhelmed with transcendental bliss. Nevertheless She crookedly continued to pretend to chastise Him. She said to Lalita:

21- My dear clever Lalita, you have met with Lord Hari's tricky messenger Kundalata, and the two of you have placed Me in the hands of Krishna, the king of rascals. As you stand on the shore of this Radha-kunda, you may cast your crooked glance on the impudent dancing of this Krishna, the king of cheaters.

22- My dear Lalita, although you are generally sharp and passionate by nature, you have suddenly become sweet and good-natured. Although Lord Krishna is generally gentle and good-natured, He has suddenly became sharp and passionate. This sudden change is not so wonderful, the two of you have exchanged nature, one becoming like the other.

23- Although Lalita was actually very pleased to hear these words, she pretended to become red with anger. Although she vehemently criticized Lord Krishna, her criticisms caused everyone to smile with happiness. She said: My dear Krishna, my dear king of those who impudently destroy the chastity of young wives, why do You act in this sinful way?

24- Lord Krishna responded: My dear Lalita, I have done nothing. It is all Her doing. You should rather ask your friend Radharani why She has forcibly embraced Me, strongly pressing Her body against Mine.

25- Lalita replied: My dear Krishna, You are like a nagakesara tree and Radharani is like a madhavi creeper. A creeper may embrace a tree with it's limbs, but it is not at all proper for a tree to embrace a creeper.

26- Lord Krishna replied: I have given My body to Radharani, and She has accepted that gift. I have given that gift, and it is too late now for Me to take it back. What is the harm if My gift embraces Her?

27- Cruel, powerful, angry Lalita proceeded to destroy Lord Krishna's good reputation by saying: My dear libidinous bumble-bee Krishna, please give up this attempt to push Your celebrated licentious wickedness on this pious, chaste housewife Radharani.

28- Lalita continued: When I am present even the wind cannot touch Shrimati Radharani. Give up trying to embrace Her.

29- As Lalita and the other gopis were angrily talking in this way, Lord Krishna became overwhelmed with transcendental bliss. He manifested various symptoms of ecstasy, such as trembling, shedding tears, and standing up of hairs on the body.

30- As Lord Krishna became overwhelmed with transcendental bliss by touching the body of His beloved Radha, and as He became frightened by hearing Lalita's threats, His grip on Radharani loosened, and the flute fell from His hand. Radharani then slipped out of His embrace, picked up the flute, and quickly fled.

31- As Radharani fled, She carefully concealed the flute in the folds of Her garment. After Her escape the following conversation was exchanged between Visakha and Lord Krishna:

32- My dear Krishna, just see how Your plan to forcibly capture the star Radha in Your rahu-arms is now frustrated. Your rahu-arms can only catch the moons of Candravali. They have no power to catch the stars known as Radha and Her friends( Rahu only eclipses the moon, and not the stars. Candravali means a host of moons).

33- I am the star Visakha. My friends Radha, Jyestha, Dhanistha, Citra, Bharani, Indulekha, and many others too numerous to count, are all stars. The rahu-planet of Your arms can never catch us. All Your arms can do is briefly catch the host of moons known as Candravali. Leave us. Go and catch Candravali.

34- Lord Krishna replied: My dear Visakha, I thought you were the delightful incarnation of Lord Siva, the regent of the northwest. I thought Lalita was the incarnation of Lord Indra, the eastern regent who carries a fearful thunderbolt. How is it that you have all suddenly become stars?

35- I have already enjoyed easy-to-get Candravali many times in many ways. I am tired of her. I have left her, and now I yearned to taste the nectar of Radharani's beauty, which is so difficult to obtain.

36- Although rahu may enjoy his passage through the realm of the various stars, he does not capture them. It is only the crescent moon named Indulekha that he yearns to catch.

37- Speaking in this way, Lord Hari approached Indulekha to embrace her. Frightened, she backed away from Him. Knitting her eyebrows, she spoke the following words to the smiling Krishna:

38- Insolent rahu, You have no right to touch this crescent moon of Indulekha. I order You to pass by all these stars and go at once to the full-moons of Candravali.

39- Unseen by Him, Lalita stealthily approached Lord Krishna and said: You can never attain the star Radha without first approaching the star named Visakha.

40- Lord Krishna then approached Visakha and touched her. Visakha said: By enjoying Radha, Visakha is automatically enjoyed, but before You attain Radha, You must first approach Jyestha.

41- Unseen by her, Lord Krishna approached Jyestha and touched her. Jyestha  became furious and spoke the following words to the wilting Krishna: O insolent Rahu, without first approaching the star Citra it will be very difficult for You to reach any of the other stars in the heavens.

42- Lord Krishna then approached Citra and forcibly embraced her. Citra said: O debauchee Rahu, leave me at once. You have no right to pass by the stars. You must now travel along the pathway of the planets.

43- Tungavidya then said: O Citra, we cannot allow this Rahu-planet to travel among us. He must radically change course and travel among the planets instead.

44- Citra then said: O Tungavidya, perhaps we are too harsh on this Rahu-planet. I think that because of our mistreating Him, the scales of justice, in the form of the sign Libra will enter my place, and then go on to give trouble to you also.

45- When Lord Krishna touched Tungavidya, she said to Him: My dear insolent libertine. The painful scales of justice, otherwise known as the sign of Libra will soon pass from the realm of Ranga-devi to my realm. After that they will approach You. Will You be as eager to embrace them as You are to touch us?

46- Lord Krishna then approached Rangadevi and touched her. She said to Him: My dear Rahu-planet, by touching me You have now entered the sign Virgo. The sign Pisces has now assumed the form of Campakalata-gopi. You can clearly see her before You. Go to her.

47- Lord Krishna then embraced Campakalata. She said to Him: Rascal, leave me and go at once to Sudevi, who is known as the sign Aquarius.

48- Then Lord Krishna touched Sudevi. She said to Him: O Madhusudana, go to the girl Kancanalata. She will fulfill all Your desires.

49- Lord Krishna then embraced Kancanalata. She said to Him: My dear cakora-bird Krishna, why have You come here? Go at once to the moon-faced Radharani, and quench Your thirst by drinking the moonlight of Her beauty.

50- Eager to kiss Shrimati Radharani, Lord Krishna stealthily approached Her unobserved, and embraced Her. Feigning aversion, She said: Rascal, if You wish to kiss Me, You must first renounce Your other wife, this flute.

51- After a little time Lord Krishna noticed that He was no longer holding the flute in His hand. He became momentarily perplexed, turned towards Kundalata and asked: Where is My flute?

52- Kundalata's restless glance pointed to Radharani as the flute-thief. As soon as Lord Krishna understood, Radharani secretly passed the flute to Tulasi-devi.

53- Tulasi took the flute, went behind Visakha, Lalita and the other gopis, and hid it carefully. Lord Krishna again approached Radharani. Yearning to embrace Her, He spoke the following words:

54- My dear thief, first You wounded My clear mind with the pointed hook of Your amorous sidelong glance, and then when I was bewildered, You stole away My flute without My knowledge. This is very wonderful.

55- I shall now bind You with many ropes, confiscate the ornament that decorate the hook of Your amorous glances, lead You to the Vrndavana-prison, and place You before king cupid.

56- Wounded by love, Shrimati Radharani could not move, although She stared at Lord Krishna with contempt. When She started to go Lord Krishna checked Her by force on the pretext of investigating the recent flute-theft.

57- Lord Hari said to Shrimati Radharani: My dear thief, You have stolen My flute in vain. Unless You return it to Me, I shall not release You from these ropes.

58- Moving her creeper eyebrows and restless crooked eyes, and smiling with sublime arrogance, Lalita pretended to be very angry. She at once stood before Lord Hari and chastised Him in the following proud words:

59- O polluted libertine, O destroyer of young girls' chastity, Go away! Go to some other girl and leave Radharani in peace. Radharani has just now bathed, purifying Herself for the worship of the sun-god. Do not now make Her impure by touching Her or by speaking all these lies.

60- Lalita continued: My dear rascal, when You were at the Kusuma-sarovara lake, You became intoxicated by drinking the liquor of Saibya-gopi's lips. When You were bewildered in this way, the bold Saibya stole Your flute. If You do not believe me, then hear the facts from Tulasi-devi, who personally witnessed the entire affair.

61- If a criminal does some mischief, the blame sometimes falls on the innocent. Just see; even though Saibya is the actual culprit, innocent Radharani is falsely accessed of stealing the flute.

62- With a glance Lalita hinted to Krishna that He should go to Tulasi to satisfy His desire. He did, and Shrimati Radharani escaped, just like the nectarean moon escapes the grip of a dark cloud.

63- Understanding Lalita's hint, Tulasi suddenly handed the flute to Rupa-manjari. When Tulasi tried to leave, Lord Krishna checked her by force. Touched by Krishna, Tulasi began to tremble and the hairs of her body stood up in ecstasy.

64- Tulasi folded her hands in supplication, placing them against her face. She begged: O merciful Lord, please leave me in peace. I am Your maidservant going to worship the sun-god. It is not at all proper for You to approach me in this way.

65- Tulasi continued: You are arresting me to get the flute. I do not have it. In fact, just today I have seen Your flute in the hand of Saibya-gopi. As Tulasi spoke in this way, the movements of her eyes hinted that flute was in the hand of Rupa-manjari.

66- Lord Krishna left Tulasi and approached Rupa-manjari, Intelligent Rupa-manjari understood that she bore the unmistakable fragrance of the honey of Krishna's flute, she at once gave the flute to Lalita.

67- Lord Krishna quickly approached Rupa-manjari unobserved, and bound her with the ropes of His arms, searching her bodice for the flute, He said: My dear thief where have you hidden My flute?

68- Rupa-manjari pushed Him away and said: I am the thief. Now You have gotten Your flute. By good fortune You have attained Your desire. Go now, and call the gopis to this place.

69- You have Yourself hidden the flute. This search for the flute is simply Your trick to rape the wives of others.

70- The movements of Rupa-manjari's eyes hinted to Krishna that Lalita had the flute. Krishna slackened the bonds of His embrace, and Rupa-manjari quickly escaped. Krishna then approached the frightened Lalita, who secretly slipped the flute to Kundalata.

71- Angry Lalita said to the approaching Krishna: Stand back! Why have You come here? You cannot impudently take Your flute from me if I do not have it.

72- Shrimati Radharani's gopi-friends live in the realm of cintamani gems, and they would not condescend to kick Your bamboo flute with their feet. O rascal, why do You accuse them of stealing Your flute?

73- This flute is hard and dry. It is defective because it has so many holes. Day and night it disturbs the three worlds. That this flute has been stolen from the Lord's hand is an auspicious blessing for many people in this worlds.

74- Let this flute be a disturbance no longer. Let the women of Vraja happily perform their household duties, their undergarments and hair remaining firmly tied. Let them not become agitated by the sound of Krishna's flute. Let the does wander freely with their husbands without becoming spellbound by the sound of Krishna's flute. Let the rivers quickly flow to the ocean without becoming stunned by the sound of Krishna's flute.

75- Because You stole the garments of the unmarried gopis and because You made them suffer with cold by forcing them to remain naked in the water of the Yamuna, You must therefore suffer by having the flute stolen from Your hand. Those who cause suffering to others must suffer themselves.

76- The dry bamboo flute, faulted with many holes, was resting in Lord Krishna's hand. Also, alas, who has stolen this flute, the dearmost treasure of the master of Gokula.

77- Lord Krishna was stunned and depressed by hearing Lalita's contemptuous joking words. Kundalata, considering Krishna's depression to be merely a clever trick, secretly handed the flute to Radharani, approaching Lord Krishna, and very feelingly spoke the following words:

78- because Your bamboo flute was so full of holes, it was defective, and was hardly worth half an conch-shell when it was new, what to speak of now that it is old and battered. That such a flute was stolen from Your hand is actually a blessing. You are the prince of the cowherds, why should You lament the loss of an insignificant bamboo flute? All the gopis are very happy to hear the flute is lost. In fact, they are giggling so loudly that I am practically dead with embarrassment.

79- Lord Krishna replied in the following words: My dear Kundalata, you speak in this way because you are unaware of the many virtues possessed by My flute. It is a great wonder that neither you nor your friends appreciate the virtues of My flute.

80- Just as the spiritual potency of Lord Narayana fulfills all His desires, in the same way this flute very easily and perfectly fulfills whatever impossible to obtain desire may arise within My heart.

81- This all-powerful flute fulfills all My desires. Radharani and the other gopis are well aware of this flute's extraordinary power. For this reason they have become very eager to steal it.

82- Lalita then replied: My dear libertine Krishna, we were not aware that this flute is the queen of procuresses, so dear to You for her occupational skill.

83- My dear Krishna, Your flute is like a rope that constantly binds the wild elephants of the minds of women who are as charming and beautiful as nectar. Your flute is very expert at constantly ebbing the impeccably pure piety of the women in this world. Your flute constantly enchants Laksmi, Parvati, Samjna, and all ;other young girls. Your flute is famous in the three planetary systems for it's wonderful qualities.

84- Lord Krishna then said: First this ferocious Lalita steals My flute, and then she blasphemes both Me and My flute with crooked words as sharp as thorns.

85- After hearing these words, Lord Krishna tried to grasp the edge of Lalita's garment. She quickly retreated and spoke the following words to the smiling Krishna, whose creeperlike eyebrows were knitted as if he were angry:

86- My dear Krishna, I am the Lalita, You know very well. I shall leave now with my gopi-friends, and therefore Your mischief will not be successful today.

87- Seeing Lalita about to depart, Lord Krishna grasped her garment and said: If you do not return My flute, you will not find it very easy to go to your home.

88- Lord Krishna continued: If you have not stolen My flute, then why do you flee in fear? you may, of course, go if you like, but if you wish to clear your reputation, you should stay here and show Me each of your limbs one by one to prove that you have not concealed the flute on your person.

89- Pulling her garment away from Krishna's grip, and staring at Him with crooked eyes, Lalita said: Lusty madman, examine the limbs of Your sister-in-law Kundalata.

90- We have neither taken Your flute nor seen it. If You are so cruel that You will not leave us in peace, then at least go to Kundalata and see if she can sell You a flute to replace the one You lost, and if You do not like her price then go to some other market and buy a flute there.

91- I will tell our friends on Govardhana Hill, the two aborigine girls Nalli and Bhrngi, and by my order they will serve You by bringing a hollow bamboo stick to replace Your flute. This stick will be far superior to Your flute, for it will not be faulted by all those holes.

92- Lord Krishna then said: These fortunate aborigine girls are very affectionate to Me. They become free from all unhappiness when they smear their bodies with the kumkuma powder that has fallen from My lotus feet onto the grass. They bring Me gunja, mineral pigments, and other nice things from Govardhana Hill. They are My maidservants. Please tell Me how you have made friendship with them?

93- Lord Krishna continued: First you steal My flute, and then you insult Me. In retaliation I shall bind you and then punish you severely. Let whoever is your protector step forward now and protect you.

94- Visakha at once stepped between Lalita and Krishna. Smiling she humbly spoke the following instruction to the Lord:

95- My dear Krishna, You should try to find Your lost flute by gathering information about it and weighing that information with a cool brain. Cruel punishment of the gopis will not help You to find it.

96- Then Campakalata said: Why are You so eager to reclaim this lost flute? Why do You think this bamboo stick is such a valuable treasure?

97- Then Tungavaidya said: O foolish Campakalata, you don't understand. Listen: This flute is the be-all-and-all of Krishna's life. There is nothing He will not give to get it back.

98- My dear Krishna, if You wish to regain Your lost flute, You should offer a valuable reward for it's return. That would be better than this threat of punishment.

99- Then Visakha said: My Lord, I speak for Your benefit; You should offer both a reward for whomever returns the flute, and a punishment for the thief.

100- Lord Krishna said: I shall give a large flower-garland, a necklace of jewels, and a valuable magnet to anyone who tells Me where I can find My flute.

101- I shall punish the gopi-thief who has stolen My flute. I shall contiscate her garments and jewel-ornaments. I shall take the jewel of youthfulness from her waterpotlike breasts. I shall bind her with the ropes of My arms and drag her to the prison of Vrndavana-forest to be severely punished by King Cupid himself.

102- Visakha said: My dear Krishna, my dear prince of the cowherds, this generous reward to again place the flute in Your hand is very appropriate. You are not a miser.

103- Visakha continued: Actually Kundalata knows about Your flute, and because we are close friends, I also know a little about it. This whole affair is very troublesome and uncomfortable for me, but if You first give a reward, then You may tactfully inquire about the fate of Your flute.

104- Jubilant Visakha then said to Kundalata: Ah my friend, your good-fortune has just arrived. Now you can claim a costly reward for returning the flute to your brother-in-law Krishna.

105- Hearing these words of Visakha and Kundalata, and understanding their intent, Shrimati Radharani took the flute and secretly handed it to Tulasi-devi.

106- As expectation-filled Krishna stared into her face, Kundalata said: My dear Visakha, I don't know anything of this flute-theft, I swear.

107- If I knew anything about my brother-in-law's flute, I would tell Him, even without any reward. My property is always available for Him to take. I am not like you other gopis, who are eager to cheat Him at every step.

108- Visakha then said to Kundalata: My dear friend, you know everything about the theft of the flute. Please take this bribe of jewels, and tell Krishna where the flute is. If you are at all inclined to your master Krishna, now is the time to place the flute in His hand.

109- Take the bribe and tell Krishna where He can find His flute. I promise, You shall gain both. You shall gain the reward, and He shall gain the flute. I vow that I shall personally become the collateral to protect both your investments.

110- Lord Krishna was very eager to retrieve His flute, and He could understand the hints dispatched by Kundalata's glances. At that moment, however, He became suddenly stunned, attacked by the sharpened arrows of many sidelong glances shot by His beloved Radharani. At that time Kundalata spoke the following words to the motionless Krishna.

111- My dear Krishna. I can now see that the dark nectar flowing from Your flute which attracts the entire universe to You, has now become transformed into a dot of black musk, and You have now placed this same musk-dot on the chin of Your beloved Radharani.

112- Radharani has taken this musk-dot from Your flute and placed it on Her chin, but She is so foolish She has neglected to hide it.

113- By good fortune You are now able to see the mark of Your flute in this musk-dot on Radharani's chin. At once reclaim it with Your lips. Afterwards You can punish Her for theft, and also reward Her for returning Your flute.

114- Take Your flute from Radha. I did not steal it. I will not lose anything. After that give the promised reward to Visakha and she will hand it to me at once.

115- After hearing all these words, Lord Krishna said: I shall now take the flute and then immediately give the reward to Visakha. Then I shall imprison this culprit Radharani in the grove of Vrndavana and punish Her very severely.

116- As Lord Krishna spoke these words, He began to approach His beloved Radharani. As Krishna was about to kiss Radha's chin, Lalita placed herself between them. Simultaneously smiling and pretending to be very angry, Lalita spoke the following words:

117- Radharani has not worshipped the sun-god yet today. By interrupting Her worship You are forcing Her to act sinfully. Why is it that You have no fear of the sun-god? Why do You have no fear to violate the rules of religion? Leave. Leave this place at once.

118- At that moment Lord Krishna addressed Her: O Radha, do not worry. Neither I nor My teeth shall harm You. I shall simply reclaim the musk-dot from Your chin.

119- I see Your friend the musk-dot has become frightened to see Me, and has run to take shelter of Your lips, which are like a great fortress to protect Your teeth. In order to reclaim My musk-dot I shall now attack the fortress of Your lips with My teeth.

120- Then Kundalata said to Shrimati Radharani: Although You have skillfully written a wonderful poem entitled "The Musk-dot's Retreat", still Lord Krishna, the king of poets, has become angry with You, and has written His own poem "The Return of the Musk-dot" to surpass You.

121- Those who understand the superexellence of Krishna's virtues, see that He is completely faultless, and they try to please Him in all respects. O Radha, You should also try to please Him by giving Him Your necklace of jewels as a gift.

122- Shrimati Radharani then said: My dear friend Kundalata, when you consider the cooling virtues of your brother-in-law Krishna, you blossom with great happiness. I think you should worship Him, not I. Just worship Him now by offering the flowers of your teeth on the altar of His reddish lips.

123- Hearing these words, Kundalata became angry. She addressed the infallible Personality of Godhead, Lord Krishna, in the following words: My dear Lord Hari, this girl is Radharani, the talkative granddaughter of Mukhara, and this other girl is the harsh Lalita. How is it possible for a meek and gentle person like You to reclaim the stolen flute from such nasty person?

124- You are a single gentle-hearted person against this host of crooked-hearted, domineering girls. You cannot defeat them. My advice to You is: Carefully protect Your garments and ornaments so they do not snatch them from You, and flee at once to Your cowherd friends.

125- My dear Krishna, these girls do not care for piety or impiety. They are simply obsessed with greed to attain the association of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

126- Although these gopis are all religious, pure-hearted and chaste, they have spoken improperly to You, my young brother-in-law, and they have also blasphemed me with many harsh words. O Krishna, give my reward to Visakha, and free me from these bonds so I can at once visit their homes and complain about their behavior to their superior.

127- Krishna laughed and said to Visakha: My dear pious girl, come here. Come here and take these jewels. As Visakha approached, Lord Krishna embraced her. The gopis then began to smile and laugh. They all surrounded Visakha and Krishna.

128- During the loud quarrel that ensued, Shrimati Radharani carefully decorated Herself with silence, slipped away unnoticed, and disappeared into the forest.

129- Fearful Tulasi took the flute and fled to the nearby grove of Vrndavana forest. Vrnda-devi met her there, and took the flute from her hand. Pressing the flute against her breasts, Vrnda-devi said:

130- My dear flute, you are the crown of your entire family, for even though you took birth in a family of insignificant bamboos, you have become the cause of these wonderful pastimes enjoyed by Shri Shri Radha and Krishna.

131- Anxious because of her friends laughter, Visakha moved her eyes restlessly. She stared at Krishna, stuttered, and with a great struggle broke free from His tight grip. She angrily spoke to Him the following words:

132- We are neither Your family members, nor are we Your servants. How can it be proper for us, then to take gifts from You, a stranger? O king of cheaters, I think You should give Your gifts to Kundalata, for she is Your sister-in-law, a member of Your family.

133- Visakha then turned to Kundalata and said: My dear friend Kundalata, if you are so intelligent, why do you act like such a fool? Why do you neglect your brother-in-law's gifts, and to obtain things elsewhere? Why do you act in this sinful way?

134- Kundalata then said: O visakha, generous Krishna is simply trying to gain good karma and eliminate His bad karma by giving this charity to the brahmana ladies like yourself. Why should I stop Him?

135- Why are you afraid of Krishna's gift of love? Take it, double your own wealth, and then you may also give in charity.

136- Citra then said: O Visakha, why are you trying to renounce your own honestly earned wages, thinking they are not your own property. Now that you have become wealthy, give some of your wealth to your friend Kundalata, who standing right before you.

137- Then Kundalata said: O Citra, I think you should become the claimant of Krishna's gift. If Krishna gives His own jewel away and you do not accept it , it is not He who become the loser.

138- Kundalata then turned to Lord Krishna and said: My dear Krishna, because You are very generous, You are trying to give charity to these girls, even though they are too small-minded to appreciate it. I think You should give this gift only to Shrimati Radharani, for only She is wise and liberal enough to understand it's value.

139- Searching for Radha with His glance and not finding Her anywhere, Lord Krishna said: O crooked Lalita, where have you hidden your friend, the thief Radha? Bring Her before Me! Disobey, and will be punished.

140- Lalita replied: I am not her warden. Who knows where She is? Find Her by Your own efforts and rule Your little kingdom with Her as Your queen. I am going home.

141- One gopi announced: I am also going home. Another gopi announced: I am going to the temple to worship the sun-god. A third gopi announced: I am going to bath again in the Manasa-ganga river to purify myself from the contamination of krishna's touch.

142- As the gopis were trying to cheat Lord Krishna in this way, He turned to the face of Kundalata. Her glance signaled Him to the forest, and He entered it without delay.

143- Lord Krishna then bound Kundalata and the other gopis with ropes made from forest-vines. He brought them to the four gates of a courtyard deep within the forest.

144- When Shrimati Radharani saw Her lover Krishna coming, She began to flee. Krishna caught Her and forced Her to enter the courtyard and sit down on the couch there.

145- By that time Shrimati Radharani was burning in the forest-fire of amorous passion. the mad-elephant of Lord Krishna took Her to secluded place in the forest and enjoyed Her to His full satisfaction.

146- As Lord Krishna fought to untie Her bodice and undergarments, alarmed Radharani fiercely resisted, Her moving arms causing Her bracelets to loudly jingle. The soldiers of Lord Krishna's impudence routed Radharani's peaceful composure, shyness, contrariness, and other defenders. Lord Krishna happily stuttered as He demanded: Gi gi give Me My My My flute. Their bodies decorated with the glittering ornaments of Their previous joking words, and Their bent necks singing and sprinkling a shower of nectar, They enjoy a great festival of happiness. All glories to these sweet pastimes of Shri Shri Radha and Krishna enjoyed in the grove of Vrndavana.

147- Thus ends the tenth chapter of Govinda-lilamrta in the matter of the Lord's midday pastimes that delight the gopis. Shrila Raghunatha dasa Goswami has ordered me to write this book. which I have been able to do by the blessing of Shrila Raghunatha Bhatta Goswami and the saintly association of Shrila Jiva Goswami. I consider this book the ripened fruit of the service I have rendered to Shrila Rupa Goswami, who is like a bumble-bee relishing the honey at the lotus feet of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.