Kṛṣṇa hides to hear the sakhis' conversation
As Kṛṣṇa overhears Rādhā and Viśākhā's rasamaya conversation, He surmise: "Aha, today preyasī maṇi Rādhā shall be mine!"
But Rati-lampaṭa (affectionate debauch) Śyāmasundar ponders: "If I approach them, they will be silent. So I'll continue hiding behind this foliage to enjoy their vilāsamaya kathā. Even when a pretty girl's romantic desires strongly awaken, externally she takes great care to conceal her feelings. These kiśorī ballabhās are intentionally speaking these delectable words to inform Me of their inner desires. Although completely overtaken by Kāmadeva's influence, still out of pride, they're pretending not to notice Me! Therefore, I'll play My enchanting flute once more to topple slim-wasted Rādhā's self esteem!" Thus thinking Kṛṣṇa hides within the latā-nikuñja."
As the hariṇa nayani (doe eyed) gopa kiśorīs thus converse, Kṛṣṇa's bodily aroma enters their noses and it fills the forest too, conquering all fragrances; it is mixed with the scent of hari-candana. Thus the gopīs exclaim: "Oh Rādhe! Hari's coming!"
But to conceal Her feelings, Rādhā takes the word Hari to mean a lion and replies:
"How could a lion enter this area? And where would he get such aromatic sandalwood paste? Oh, sakhīs, let's pick flowers, as we're all quick-witted lionesses, there's nothing to fear!
Ṭīkā: As if She would have said: "And if that shrewd siṅghā should arrive, we can garland Him with our flower-mālās!"
The sakhīs reply: "Sakhi Rādhe, what happened to the sweet vibration of Kṛṣṇa's Muralī? Oh no, has that enchanting and handsome Vrajendra-nandana gone elsewhere?"
Rādhā retorts: "The winds blowing in the bamboo forest produce a wonderful sound. Oh lotus-eyed one, have you been looking at the sky? You're mistaking that sound for Kṛṣṇa's flute! Or perhaps do you think that you've become that lotus-eyed gopī thief yourselves? Why don't you all step back to examine! I've never seen such restless women as you, even I'm becoming restless in your association! Oh well, hey Lalite, I'm going home now; you can all remain here to play in the forest."
Lalitā: "Oh Praṇeśvari, as we've come to pick flowers (to see Śyāmasundar) let's not be angry, but instead, let's first fulfill our purpose, then we can all return home together. Just consider, unfulfilled kamā is never praiseworthy. Look, the forest is lingering with the scent of fine flowers (Kṛṣṇa's garland). If you request us, we'll decorate You with all of these beautiful flowers. Sakhi, the strong fragrance of the flowers (Kṛṣṇa's body) is perceivable, Thus all of the āllis are becoming haughty. Just consider, wherever the Punnaga tree's fragrance lingers, everyone becomes blinded by intoxication.
Rādhā: "You go and pick those delightful flowers. But I don't want to hear any more of this talk. And there is no need to decorate Me with them either."
Lalitā: "Look, we don't require the female species let's go to where the male flowers are blooming! We can pick those."
Ṭīkā: The meaning is to find the kuñja where Kṛṣṇa is hiding and then He can adorn Her chest as a flower.
Rādhā: "Then go and let that wistful desire also go!
Don't allow your wish to be thwarted! Is there a ramaṇī who wouldn't desire to
see that flower kuñja?"