25-28 Preparations for Pāśā Khelā (Dice play)

25 Thereafter, Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa's desire to enjoy Pāśā Khelā awakens. Thus, while fondling the Śuka and the Śārikā, they arrive at Sudevī's Harita (green) Kuñja.

Ṭīkā: We may remember from Ślokas 7.98-99 that Sudevī's Kuñja is on Rādhā Kuṇḍa's northwestern corner. Everything here is green, even the birds, the bees, and the animals. The cottages, pathways and Vedīs are all made of emeralds. This Kuñja has a Pāśā-Khelā mandir in the center, and here Rādhā Kṛṣṇa's last pastime is performed before they move on to Surya Kuṇḍa.

26 As everyone enters the Pāśā Khelā mandir to sit upon colorful āsanas Kṛṣṇa and his Sakhās, and Rādhā and her Sakhīs sit face to face.

Ṭīkā: There are 64 squares on the Pāśā-board. They are contoured in mosaic designs of differently shaded emeralds on the floor in the mandir's center. Kṛṣṇa sits with Madhumaṅgala, Subala and Kuṇḍalatā, and Rādhikā and her Sakhīs sit facing him.

In Kṛṣṇahnika-Kaumudī's version, Kṛṣṇa plays with the bimba lipped Vraja kiśorīs upon an indranīla maṇi Vedī under a tree. The Pāśā-Khelā board is sown on a colorful silken cloth with golden threads to indicate the different playing squares.

In Kṛṣṇa-Bhāvanāmṛta the following conversation ensues:
Rādhikā questions Lalitā: "Oh Sakhī! During Madhu-Pāna, Holi and Jala keli, Kṛṣṇa defeated us just as a strong elephant uproots the Padminīs (lotuses). So now He's become too proud! Oh, intelligent Lalite! Let's play some other game where physical strength isn't a deciding factor. How about a game that requires brains? Then we'll defeat Kṛṣṇa."

Lalitā answers, "Hey Rādhe! For the Pāśā-Khelā victory, you're like the moonbeams for the lilies. So, hey Garva-dhārīni! Kṛṣṇa can never cast you into a dark defeat!"
Thus encouraged, Rādhā calls Kṛṣṇa and says, "Hey Priyātama! Hey Prabhaviṣṇo! Why aren't you showing off the dancing girl of your victory-desire at the Pāśā-arena?"

Kṛṣṇa answers, "Hey Sakhī Rādhe! Yes, it's true. Your desire to win appears just like a dancing stage girl! But look! The 'victory Rāja' is sitting on the Siṁhāsan of my hand so the desire dancing in your heart will soon leave the stage."

As Madira Nayana Rāi hears Kṛṣṇa's boasting, her eyebrow-latās perk with resentment! Thus, she nods to Sudevī for bringing the dice.

27 As the game begins, Lalitā advises Rādhā, and Madhumaṅgala becomes Kṛṣṇa's advisor, to say, "Do like this, or do like that" Then Sudevī sides with Rādhā and Subala with Kṛṣṇa, to move their playing pieces, which are called Śārīs, on the Pāśā board.

As the Pāśāka (dice) roll, the Śārīs move on the board according to the numbers shown on the dice. In Kṛṣṇahnika-Kaumudī, the Śārīs are made of gold and emeralds.

28 The referees are Nāndīmukhī, Vṛnda and Kuṇḍalatā. Then Rādhikā takes the Śyāma-colored dice, and Kṛṣṇa accepts the golden dice."

Ṭīkā: In Kṛṣṇa-Bhāvanāmṛta, Nāndīmukhī is Kṛṣṇa's referee, Vṛnda is Rādhā's and Kuṇḍalatā carries messages between both parties. According to their ruci, Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa accept their favorite colored dice.