Rādhā’s explanations for the marks on her body

गोविद लीलामृत - Govinda līlāmṛta 

मध्यह्न लीला Madhyāhna Līlā

Chapter 11

1-3 Thereafter, Vṛnda joins Nāndīmukhī, still hiding the Vaṁśī within her blouse. The two of them join the others and exclaim, "Oh Sakhīs! Where is our Vṛndāvan Īśvar and Vṛndāvan Īśvarī? We have an important message for them."The Sakhīs reply: "Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa went to settle their dispute before Madana Rāja. What do you want to say? You can tell us; but if it's a private message, you may directly approach Śrī Kṛṣṇa's vilāsa Mandir.

Vṛnda replies, "You're all Rādhā's intimate friends, and thus one with her interests. Certainly, she wouldn't keep any secrets from you. So, let's all go to the NiKuñja Mandir together, then I'll speak."

Rasa-taraṅginī Ṭīkā: Vṛnda devi, Nāndīmukhī and the Mañjarīs have been viewing Rādhā Kṛṣṇa's rati keli līlā. And afterwards Vṛnda goes to call Lalitā, Viśākhā and the other Sakhīs under this plea.

4 Knowing that Śrī Yugala Kiśora vilāsa keli has concluded, the Sakhīs eagerly approach them. Thus, by opening the NiKuñja Mandir's windows, or by peeking through the foliage, they relish Prema's aftermath!

5 At first Rādhā repeatedly urges Kṛṣṇa to re-dress her, and Kṛṣṇa follows the order. But then Śrīmati protests: "What are you doing?" Although Rādhā refutes him, still Kṛṣṇa dresses her, and then she dresses him!

6 After completing the śṛṅgāra, Kṛṣṇa writes a message on a white lotus petal using red kuṅkuma. Then he tucks it in his turban and says, "Priye! Come on, let's go outside now."

7 Rādhā feels shy to go before her Sakhīs and hesitates. But Kṛṣṇa's eyes bloom like lotus petals as he holds Priya-mani's hand to escort her outside-as if she were a convicted criminal!

Ṭīkā: Rādhā doesn't want to face the Sakhīs because they will tease her. Although Kṛṣṇa understands Rādhā's fear, he wants to enjoy the situation. Thus, with a beaming smile, Rasikendra pulls her-just as a constable escorts a convicted person from the courthouse to the jail.

8-13 Seeing their priya sakhi Rāi squinting with bashfulness and Priya Keśava's eyes broadening with bliss, the Sakhīs surround them to address Rādhā: "Hey bold one! Where did you go after leaving us? We looked and looked but couldn't find you anywhere-and when did you meet this dashing fellow? Oh no! It's a good thing that Kṛṣṇa wasn't able to defeat you!"

Rādhā is embarrassed, and when Kṛṣṇa displays the love marks she made the Sakhīs giggle! Thus, Rādhā is infuriated and starts to leave! Seeing Kṛṣṇa smiling, Rādhā's lips quiver, her eyebrows frown, and she points her finger to rebuke him as her voice falters with anger! Next Rādhā turns to the snickering Sakhīs and speaks in a chastising gesture:

"Hey Sakhīs! When I attempt to go home you pull me back! If I try to hide, you show Kṛṣṇa where I am. Then when Kṛṣṇa appears in our midst, you tease me! How can I remain in your association? When you sent this restless, intoxicated Śreṣṭha Kāmuka (most lusty person) to seize me, I fearfully ran to this Kuñja and hid. Luckily, the red and white lotus and the thorny vines proved to be my actual friends, for they protected me!"

Ṭīkā: Here the word bhujaṅga has two meanings: a black snake or a lusty man. Śrīmati's words imply both as she sarcastically addresses the Sakhīs, "Oh Sakhīs! You're all great friends! As I entered this secluded Kuñja for shelter, you showed that Bhujaṅga where I hid! But I was lucky, after squatting within this thorny thicket, the sharp thorns acted as friends to protect me! They kept that Śreṣṭha kamuka at a distance!" (This is Rādhā's explanation for the bruise marks on her body.)