Rādhā and Viśākhā by picking flowers

Kṛṣṇāhnika Kaumudī कृष्णाह्निक कौमुदी
Kavi Karṇapura कवि करणपुर

(Chapter 8 - Govinda Līlāmṛta)

Events leading up to Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa's milana (meeting) on another day as follows:

Rādhā and Viśākhā by picking flowers

Under the pretext of picking flowers, Rādhā leaves Yāvaṭa with the Sakhīs. And entering the fores, everyone begins frolicsome joking with Śrīmatī, while expecting Her Priya-Keśava's arrival at any moment. But noticing Kṛṣṇa hiding in a nikuñja ahead, the sakhīs become eager to see Rādhā's keli vilāsa with Him. So they exclaim: "Oh Śrīmatī, come this way, come quickly!"

Then they begin picking flowers, bu suddenly Kṛṣṇa's enchanting flute song enters their ears to awaken deep rapture! Thus, their cheeks swell with goose bums, they shed tears, and to support themselves they grasp the flower vines! Noticing Kṛṣṇa from the corner of their eyes, the ramaṇi-maṇi Gopīs are excited! Yet owing to pride they pretend not to see Him and conceal their actual intention by picking flowers. Aho! Such is prema's crooked course! Viśākhā teases Rādhā with a pun:

"Oh sakhī! The flowers on those creepers aren't fit for picking. Can't You see, their dark branches are trying to snatch Your garment!" (Oh, sakhī Rādhe, You shouldn't pick flowers in this kuñja. Look, these creepers have taken Kṛṣṇa's shelter, so their branches are hinting that Kṛṣṇa's hṛdaya kuksuma (flower-heart) is being plucked by Your arrival!"

Rādhā answers: "I'm only picking the white flowers, and why would they favor Kṛṣṇa? This latā can't tolerate My viraha (separation from Kṛṣṇa). So it's jesting with Me to ease My pain!"

Viśākhā exclaims: O naive one! A black bee (Madhusūdhan) have mistaken Your lovely face for a lotus and is coming to taste it! I'm warning You because that restless madhu bee isn't well behaved"

Rādhā: "Hāy! When all of your faces are blooming like the fresh lotus flowers, why should that bee land on My odorless moon-face?

Viśākhā: "Oh beautiful eyed one! This bee has a special attraction for the best scented flower. Oh Sakhi, let's discard this inferior vine and pick the soft and pure Jāti flowers that bloom in Caitra (the month of Madhu - mid-spring).

Ṭikā: Hey Rādhe, as the Jāti are the best flowers, You are the best among our gopī community. Hence, You are supremely pure, especially in the "month of madhu", Your appearance is very charming with flower ornaments. Thus You are the most qualified to receive Madhusūdhan's touch!".

Rādhā: "All of the fores flowers are pure. Just see as the wind carries their fragrance the whole world is re-freshened." (All of the rāja-kumārī are pure. By their touch Viśva-Mohan (enchanter of the universe) Kṛṣṇa relieves all of His fatigue!")

Viśākhā: "Hey Sakhi, look at this enchanting Aśoka-tree. You can render sevā to it, for all of the Vrajavāsīs enjoy its bright, red flower clusters."

Ṭikā: This supreme donor is Aśoka (never said), for He is the dhīra lalita rasikendra nāgara (carefree, witty, highest taster of love). So if You serve Him You will prosper, as every Vraja kiśorī's great yearning is aroused by His touch!"

Rādhā: "Oh Viśākhe, I never approach the flaming red Aśoka flowers; why don't you go and pick them?"

Ṭikā: "Oh Sakhi, I won't hear the name of that lusty debauch! If you want to surrender yourself, then go right ahead!"

Viśākhā: "Hey Āli (bee - nickname for gopīs), look at this Punnaga-tree, it's soft, lovely and filled with flowers."

Ṭikā: "Āli, Puruṣottama (Śyāmasundarā) is overflowing in amorous, loving sentiment! Upon seeing His beauty and upon smelling His wonderful bodily aroma, Your attraction for Him will greatly increase."

Rādhā: "Āha, this advise is more outrageous than before! If you want to worship the Punnaga you can. Because you are proud, this Punnaga will be easily attainable. I see, you are lusting after this nicely decorated puruṣa!"