Jala-keli Kṛṣṇahnika Kaumudi

Returning to Kṛṣṇahnika Kaumudi two events are taking place: a lotus fight, and the search for Kṛṣṇa as he hides under-water.(1) The lotus battleAs the water fighting subsides, kama's ānanda impels the Vraja taruṇīs to continue attacking Kṛṣṇa! Thus, they pick the best blooming lotus flowers and offer them to Rādhikā. Śrimatī wants to pelt Kṛṣṇa with these, but while raising her arms to toss the flowers-she exposes a peak of her lovely breasts!

Thus, innocent Rādhā's mind churns in erotic sentiment as her lotuses smash Śyāmasundar's chest! But Śyāma catches the flowers and with a playful smile tosses them back! By these endeavors the lotuses achieve matchless beauty! One can imagine: "Aha! The shuttle of Kama's spinning-wheel is moving back and forth to weave to silken sari of prema!"

So now, as the bees chase after the pollen falling from the lotus- the restless bumblebees of Rādhā Govinda's eyes fly like Kamadeva's arrows!
Rāi Sundarī's creeper-arms give in, her breathing becomes heavy, her tired eyes roll and her breasts tremble! Yet still her thirst for the sporting increases!

Suddenly a bee flies to Rādhā, and some fishes brush her caraṇa padma-thus Rādhikā is frightened and holds on to Kṛṣṇa's chest! Then the Sakhīs fearlessly surround Rādhā Śyāma and toss lotus flowers! But Śrī Yugala Kiśora smile and shelter themselves with lotus leaves.

When Yūtheśwarī Rādhā stops fighting, however, the Sakhīs stop too. Then the birds befriend Kṛṣṇa to spread their wings and dance, but as Rādhā stands before him in chest-deep water, two Cakravākas approach, mistaking her breasts for their own species. Seeing the Cakracakas' bewilderment, Kṛṣṇa becomes exceeding delighted and begins to fondle them.

But feeling shy, Rādhikā crosses her hands to cover her stana yugala! Then Kṛṣṇa picks a fine lotus-stem and touches Candramukhi-Rāi's neck; thus the hair on her creeper like arms horripilate! This is the token of prema.(2) The search for Kṛṣṇa as he hides underwaterKṛṣṇa tells Rādhā: "Hey Priye! Let your Sakhīs surround me as you stand by side Then let's see if you can find me after I dive underwater!" Rāsavati Rāi accepts the challenge and winks to her Sakhīs to encircle Kṛṣṇa. Then, as she stands before him, Kṛṣṇa submerges. The Gopīs first join hands and begin searching close to Rādhā. Then they gradually increase their circle wider and wider as the rays expand from the moon.

In the deeper water, the Rāsa Pāndit ramaṇī form a chain as their soft, restless hands comb through the water in search for Kṛṣṇa. But when the Gopīs blissfully return and stand before Candramukhi Rāi, she takes one look at their smiling faces and inquires: "Tell me, have any of you detected Kṛṣṇa" ....or has our culprit escaped?"

"O Radhe! I didn't see him!" a Sundarī replies. "I couldn't find him either!" says another. Then one Gopī exclaims, "We've lost Kṛṣṇa. But it's certainly mysterious how that Nagarendra fled, fearing you! Hey Sakhī! I'll bet that you know where he is. Your body reveals the fresh marks of Rati; so why are you keeping such matters a secret from us? Aren't we your close, surrendered friends?"

As the Sakhīs tease, Rādhā remembers her Priyātama, and feels anguish from his separation! Thus Rāi-Vinodini's restless eyes wander here and there. But a swarm of bees appear, and with their buzzing they direct everyone's attention to playful Mādhava hiding in a lotus patch!

So, the Gopīs quickly clasp their hands to surround him! Aho! What a splendid picture! They look like Kama's victory soldiers! And hence, a soothing glance of karuna filters from Kṛṣṇa's nayanāravinda.

Kṛṣṇa exclaims, "Why are you surrounding this lone Padminī vana vihari? After losing the match, don't you feel embarrassed? Are you eager for more sporting?" Kṛṣṇa's honey-coated inquiry intimidates the Vraja Sundarīs, yet covering their resentment, they return madhura smiles and answer with curious, sweet voices:

"You lost the padma keli battle and fled! And now we've captured you in this lotus patch! Aha! You were defeated by the keli nipuṇā (expert players) Vraja-balas! But what type of mischief took place underwater after we left? Chi-chi! Aren't you ashamed?"

Rādhā answers, "Who knows what Kṛṣṇa did-can anyone speak about these matters? So, to simply gossip is unbefitting. Look Kṛṣṇa must have admitted his defeat to the lotus. Just consider, as He's alone, you're many; so isn't his defeat certain?"

As Kṛṣṇa hears his leading Sundarī Rādhā, thus speak, a fresh desire awakens in his mind, and he answers, "Hey Sundarī-maṇi! Come, I can see that you understand my heart; you must be on my side, so I'll perform your puja! Thus, Kṛṣṇa begins to decorate Śrimatī. He uses lotus pods to make earrings and gathers the best lotus leaves to make a crown.

Collecting lotus pollen, Kṛṣṇa paints artistic pictures on Rāi's forehead (which reveal his mind's intention), and using the moss, he makes Rādhā's Kāñchi (chain ornament worn over the Nitamba- buttocks). Then, by curving lotus stems, he makes a necklace, and finally he rubs Śrimatī's cheeks with red lotus pollen.