69-79 Pañca Deva Pūjā (The Worship of Five Devatas)

Seeing Krishna placing his hand on Radha's breast, Kundalata introduces an amusing līlā by saying: "Hey Krishna! The puja kumbhas are set! But to succeed in Kandarpa's yajña you must satisfy the five devatas."

69-70 Rasikendra answers, "Hey Kundalate! You can be the ācārya for my Kandarpa-yajña. Please instruct me what articles are required and where the pūjā is to take place."

Kundalata replies, "Hey Mādhava! I'm not the ācārya of this pūjā. But since you're my dear Cousin, I'll tell you all of the secrets that I heard from Nāndīmukhī, listen: "

Ṭīkā: Kundalatā realizes that if she claims to be the pūjā-ācārya, Radha's Sakhīs will flare up and rebuke her! "Chi-chi!" they'd say, "You're supporting your Priya Devara (dear cousin) in seducing our priya sakhi! Why don't you go and perform this pūjā with him?" So to avoid conflict, Kundalata shifts the attention to someone else, by stating: "I've heard all about these matters from Nāndīmukhī."

71-72"To remove the sacrifice's obstacles one must worship Gaṇeśa. So imagine Radhika's left breast as the temple of Gaṇeśa, place your left lotus-hand on it (as an offering of red-lotus), and utter the mantra: śrī-gaṇeṣāya tubhyaṁ namaḥ.

"Next, place your right lotus-hand on Radha's other breast which resembles a Śiva-liṅga, and utter: namaḥ śivaya.' Then move this hand above Radha's frowning eyebrows and recite the mantra: hrīṁ caṇḍikayai namaḥ.

Ṭīkā: Because of her vāma prema, Radha's scolding eyebrows frown in disapproval from moment to moment. Thus owing to their intensity, they are compared to the residence of the vehement devī, Caṇḍī.

73 "Although Radha will try to block your hands, you must place one hand on her chin and the other at the base of her veṇī. Then, while uttering the mantra asmai viṣṇave namaḥ, you can offer your lotus lips to hers!"

Ṭīkā: Viṣṇu is the maintainer. Just as Viṣṇu maintains every living entity, the taste of Radha's lips are Krishna's means of subsistence.

74"Hereafter (even if Radha offers resistance) you must recite the mantra sūryāya namaḥ and forcibly press your kunda flower teeth and Bandhuli flower to her reddish lips."

Ṭīkā: Because Radha's bright lips shine like the sun, they relieve Krishna's darkness of distress. Hence Kundalata prescribes the Sūrya pūjā of Radha's red lips. As all five devatas are satisfied with lotus flower offerings, Krishna uses his lotus-mouth and lotus-hands to maintain the śāstra vidhī. Although, because Sūrya is especially fond of kunda and bandhulī (red hibiscus) flowers, Krishna uses his teeth (kunda) and red lips.

75-76 Krishna tries to perform the pūjā - but Rādhārāṇī rebukes Kundalata and begins striking Krishna with a lotus flower! Seeing Radha angry, Krishna addresses Lalita and others: "Oh sakhis! I'm eager to worship Gaṇeśa, Śiva, Caṇḍī, Sūrya and Viṣṇu to remove the obstacles for my Kandarpa-yajna why is Radha upset?

Ṭīkā: Prāṇeśvarī Radha's sudhā-rasamaya reprimanding words delight not only Krishna, but the Sakhīs and Mañjarīs, too. Radha addresses Kundavalli, "Aha! You're the deceiving ill-adviser for that shameless Nagara! I see-you perform such debased pūjā yourself with him; then you become his manager to initiate these unmentionable acts with all the chaste Vraja taruṇīs! Chi, chi! We know what you're up to. So be forewarned, your despicable conduct will only humiliate yourself."

77-78 Some of the Sakhis support Radha by frowning their eyebrows and offering rebuke-but Vishakha forbids them, and signals Kundalata to step behind and tie Radha and Krishna's garments together. Then Vishakha exclaims, "Hey Krishna! The śāstras say that a husband and wife should perform dharma together. And in Kandarpa's yajña you and Radha are an equal match. So as Radha is an ideal dharmavatī we're tying you together. Radha is angry because you're starting the pūjā without following the proper rites."

Ṭīkā: The aṣṭa Sakhīs are sama snehā: sometimes they play on Radha's side and sometimes they favor Krishna. Here Viśākhā Sundarī sides with Krishna to add more fun to the pūjā. As Viśākhā covers her smile and pretends to be grave, she utters this Śloka while glancing towards Radha from the corner of her eye. Viśākhā knows Radha's intentions, thus she plays against her vāma-nature to quickly fulfill Radha's inner desires.

79 But Radha's lips quiver as she lances Viśākhā with a sharp glance! And seeing Radhika's attention fixed on Viśākhā, Kundalatā secretly slips behind and ties Radha's clothes to Krishna's.

Ṭīkā: Radha's eyes convey anger, as if to say: "Oh-re swindling Viśākhe! Have you sold your atma to this Prema-Lampaṭa's crooked smiles? Ācchā! Just wait! I'll pay your misdeed with premium interest!"