Tenth Sarga: Midday Pastimes

Tenth Sarga

Kundavallī understood Kṛṣṇa's unspoken intention. Approaching Him as He appeared despondent because obstacles had interrupted the sacrifice to Ananga that bestows every cherished desire, she assumed a sorrowful air herself and addressed Him. (1)

'You are Paśupati, for You effortlessly destroy Kāma; and like him You also destroy sacrifices by disrupting the worship of their deities. How, then, can You obtain the fruit of this rite? Quickly abandon this borrowed dharma and practice Your own true dharma: complete submission to prema.' (2)

Kṛṣṇa replied, 'Yes. Because I bring auspiciousness to all and embody Śiva's nature, the elders indeed call Me Maheśvara. I also perpetually follow his dharma of offering his own body to his beloved. (3)

'Yet Śiva gave his beloved only the left half of his body, whereas I offer Mine entirely, limb by limb and without reserve. Because I am governed by prema, supremely clever, and generous, I desire fame even greater than his.' (4)

He then approached His beloved unnoticed, though She was wary of Him and carefully on guard. Preparing to draw Her into His embrace, He spoke. (5)

'Come, come, Gaurī! Take possession of this body of Mine, for I am the moon-crested Śiva.' Speaking in this way and eager to embrace Her, He forcibly caught Her as She tried to flee. (6)

She reproached Him in a choked voice while smiling and weeping. Somehow freeing Herself from Him, She stood before Him with an indignant air. (7)

A swarm of bees, greedy for the fragrance of Her face, followed close beside Her ear. Startled by their humming, She cast darting, frightened glances, lost Her composure, and spontaneously embraced the Lord of Her life. (8)

Embarrassed by the sakhīs' smiles, She tried to move away, but laughing Kṛṣṇa held Her very tightly. She then appeared like lightning made motionless within a raincloud. (9)

She was suddenly possessed by the powerful feminine deities of jealousy, shame, delight, and contrariness. They filled Her speech, mind, and body, and Her resulting gestures brought joy to all who watched. (10)

Her tightly woven words combined oaths, praise, blame, threats, accusations, and humble pleading, as well as smiles and tears. Trying with both hands to loosen the firm bond of Her beloved's arms, She greatly increased the delight of Kṛṣṇa and the circle of sakhīs. (11)

Vṛndā saw the sakhīs in the bower completely satisfied by the Divine Couple's tight embrace, enriched with trembling and the other sāttvika transformations, their faces blossoming with joy. She then addressed Nāndīmukhī. (12)

'How astonishing! Hari held Rādhā in a deep embrace for a long time, yet the host of sakhīs became fully satisfied although they themselves had no bodily contact with Him. (13)

'When they do not see Him, they long for His sight. When they see Him, they yearn for His touch. Yet when He touches Rādhā, jealousy and contrariness arise in them. Their behavior is truly wondrous.' (14)

Nāndīmukhī replied to the forest queen, 'There is nothing astonishing in the behavior of these extraordinary beautiful-browed girls of Vraja, whose bodies and minds exist solely for Kṛṣṇa's happiness. (15)

'Śrī Rādhikā is the hlādinī potency of Kṛṣṇa, the moon of Vraja's lilies, and the essential creeper of prema. Her sakhīs are Her own equals, like the creeper's tender shoots, leaves, and flowers. When that creeper is watered with abundant nectarean rasa from Kṛṣṇa's pastimes and blossoms with joy, the sakhīs rejoice a hundred times more than if they themselves had been watered. This is no wonder. (16)

'Bhāva is all-powerful, supremely blissful, and self-revealing, yet without the sakhīs it cannot flow between Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa for even a moment. Like the Lord's spiritual potency, they cause rasa to flow and flourish. What connoisseur of rasa would not take shelter at their feet? (17)

'Rādhā is a blossoming golden creeper, while Kṛṣṇa is a flowering dark tāpiñcha tree. What conscious being in all the worlds is not delighted by the splendor of Their union? (18)

'The hearts of these beautiful-browed sakhīs are softened by perfectly pure intimate love. They find their own happiness only in His happiness. Even their contrariness exists for their beloved's delight and therefore blossoms when He meets Rādhā.' (19)

Although Rādhā was filled with the joy born from the desired touch of His strong arms and chest, She acted as though contrariness had made Her displeased. Reproaching Lalitā, She spoke. (20)

'Deceitful, shameless Lalitā! Joining forces with Kundavallī, Hari's wicked messenger, you brought Me here and delivered Me by a signal of your eyes into the hands of the preceptor of all rogues. Now you stand apart and watch your villainous master's dance of insolence. (21)

Lalitā replied, 'You who were sharp have become soft after being embraced by this gentle one. It is no wonder that the qualities of you both have exchanged places.' (22)

Delighted by Rādhā's anger, Lalitā began an exchange filled with threats that concealed a rising smile: 'O insolent king who destroys the vows of chaste women, was this not all begun by You?' (23)

Kṛṣṇa said, 'Lalitā, ask your own friend what She intended. Forcibly wrapping My body in Her limbs, She made Me entirely Her own.' (24)

Lalitā answered, 'You are a punnāga tree belonging to the blossoming mādhavī creeper, so it is proper that She entwines You with Her limbs. But it is improper for You to encircle Her with Yours. A creeper embraces a tree; the tree does not embrace the creeper.' (25)

Kṛṣṇa replied, 'I gave Her My body and She made it Her own. What harm does that cause you? In any event, I am no longer able to take it back from Her.' (26)

Lalitā, a fierce warrior now curved with anger, declared, 'Rogue, release this girl whose fame is spotless white, and abandon Your cheating ways. O keeper of bees, bestow Your blazing name and fully perfected roguery instead upon Prajāvatī, who stands before You and is truly devoted to You.' (27)

'In Lalitā's presence not even the wind is capable of touching Rādhā. Therefore release Her. If You will not, then lower Your marauder's cloak and prepare to face us.' (28)

As the angry Lalitā spoke and rapidly advanced with the entire circle of sakhīs, Kṛṣṇa became helpless beneath joy-born transformations such as trembling, tears, and horripilation. (29)

While He was bewildered by the happiness of contact with His beloved's body, She made the others think He had become afraid of Lalitā. Taking the flute as it slipped from His trembling hand, She instantly escaped the loosened bond of His arms. (30)

After Rādhā escaped and carefully concealed the flute beneath the end of Her garment, Viśākhā came before Her and began a conversation with Kṛṣṇa. (31)

'O dark Rāhu whose two arms eclipse the moon, You have become confused and forcibly seized this girl. Look carefully: She is not Candrāvalī. There are other stars and lunar mansions that also bear names related to Rādhā. (32)

'I am Viśākhā, inseparable from Her; this other girl is Anurādhā. Here are Jyeṣṭhā, Dhaniṣṭhā, Citrā, and Bharaṇī.' (33)

'How many other stars must I enumerate? Indulekhā is also here, but even she is unfit to be seized by You. Therefore go to Candrāvalī.' (34)

Kṛṣṇa replied, 'Viśākhā, you truly bestow every happiness and embody Śaṅkara's power, while Lalitā, terrifying with the thunderbolt of her speech, embodies the power of Śatamanyu.' (35)

Kundavallī said, 'Viśākhā, desiring to taste an exceptional rasa, He has abandoned the easily obtained Candrāvalī, whom He has enjoyed many times, and now longs for the exceedingly rare splendor of Vṛṣabhānu's daughter. (36)

'Rāhu always enjoys the stars in their proper sequence. Out of curiosity He now wishes to seize even the ever-new Indulekhā.' (37)

As Kundavallī spoke, Śrī Hari approached Indulekhā to embrace her. Seeing Him come near, she started away in alarm, raised her brows, smiled, and spoke. (38)

'Shameless Rāhu, go away! Indulekhā is not suitable for You. Go instead to the full moon Candrāvalī, or enjoy the stars in their proper order.' (39)

Kṛṣṇa approached Lalitā unnoticed and caught her. She said, 'You cannot attain Anurādhā without first passing through and enjoying Viśākhā.' (40)

When He touched Viśākhā, she said, 'By enjoying Rādhā You have already enjoyed Viśākhā. Shameless one, why do You return to Me while neglecting Jyeṣṭhā, who should be enjoyed next in the sequence?' (41)

After secretly touching Jyeṣṭhā and embracing her, He heard her say in anger, 'Bold rogue, without first enjoying Citrā, Your approach to the others violates the proper order.' (42)

He suddenly seized Citrā, but she said, 'Libertine, go away! The planets enjoy the stars in their regular order, never in reverse.' (43)

Tuṅgavidyā said, 'Citrā, Rāhu has committed no fault. Because planets sometimes travel in retrograde motion, they occasionally approach the stars out of sequence.' (44)

Citrā replied, 'Tuṅgavidyā, you are the constellation Libra. When this Rāhu has eclipsed Citrā, you will very soon be afflicted as well.' (45)

After Kṛṣṇa touched her, Tuṅgavidyā said, 'Shameless one, why do You try to seize me while neglecting Raṅgadevī, the Libra constellation that should first be afflicted?' (46)

When He touched Raṅgadevī, she said, 'Rāhu, You have already enjoyed the constellation Virgo. Now afflict Campavallī, the Pisces constellation upon which Your full aspect falls.' (47)

Although He quickly caught Campavallī, she said, 'Rogue, since Your course is reversed, hurry instead to Sudevī, the constellation Aquarius.' (48)

When He touched Sudevī, she said, 'Madhusūdana, this blossoming golden creeper will fulfill every one of Your desires.' (49)

When Kṛṣṇa caught her, she said, 'O cakora bird, why have You come here? Go to the girl whose face shines like the moon and quench Your thirst.' (50)

He then caught that girl unnoticed and tried to kiss her. Turning her face away, she said, 'Rogue, release another man's wife! If You wish to kiss someone, kiss Your own beloved flute.' (51)

Her words made Him realize that the flute had long since slipped from His hand. Wondering for a moment where it had gone, He cast His gaze upon Kundalatā's face. (52)

With a gesture of her restless eyes, Kundalatā pointed out Rādhikā. Understanding the signal, Rādhā secretly placed the flute in Tulasī's care. (53)

Tulasī carefully concealed the flute and stood behind Viśākhā, Lalitā, and the others. Meanwhile Kṛṣṇa approached Rādhā, intending to seize Her, and spoke as follows. (54)

'Expert thief, after piercing My pure, subtle, invisible, and restless mind with the pointed elephant-goad of Your amorous sidelong glance, You stole it. It is therefore no wonder that You could steal My visible flute.' (55)

'I shall bind You with the ropes of My arms, confiscate Your garments and ornaments, take You to the bower-prison, and deliver You to King Kāma.' (56)

Pierced by extraordinary emotions, Rādhā looked disdainfully at Hari and began to leave. He stopped Her under the pretext of investigating the flute, and although She resisted, He caught Her. (57)

Hari said, 'Thief, why struggle uselessly? Until You return My flute, these arms will not release You from their bond.' (58)

Lalitā quickly came before Hari, her moving eyes and creeper-like brows curved with feigned anger, her proud face concealing a rising smile. With an imposing threat she addressed Him. (59)

'O destroyer of chaste women's vows, whose body is "purified" by contact with others' wives, go away! She has bathed and purified Herself for worship of the sun. Do not touch Her and make Her impure with Your deceitful words.' (60)

'Rogue, Śaibyā made You shamelessly intoxicated by feeding You the nectar of her lips beside Sumanas Lake, and she stole Your flute. If You do not believe me, Tulasī is here as witness.' (61)

'A wicked person commits the offense, yet its fruit falls upon the virtuous. Śaibyā steals the flute, but chaste Rādhā is accused!' (62)

Directed by a signal from Lalitā's eyes, Tulasī prepared to go where Kṛṣṇa desired. Meanwhile Rādhā escaped Her beloved's obstruction like the moon emerging from a cloud. (63)

Understanding the signal, Tulasī swiftly and secretly placed the flute in Rūpa Mañjarī's hand. As she then tried to withdraw, Kṛṣṇa forcibly caught her, and she trembled with horripilation. (64)

Folding the branches of her hands before her face, she pleaded most humbly, 'Alas, merciful one, release this unworthy girl! I am Your maidservant and shall go offer myself to ward all evil from You.' (65)

'The flute for which You detain me is not with me. This very day I saw it in Śaibyā's hand.' While speaking, she indicated Rūpa Mañjarī to Him with a signal from her restless eyes. (66)

As Madhusūdana released Tulasī and approached the mañjarī, having detected the honeyed fragrance of His flute, that expert in gestures quickly placed it with Lalitā and innocently stood behind her. (67)

Approaching unseen, Kṛṣṇa quickly bound Rūpa Mañjarī with the noose of His arm. Searching for the flute beneath the cloth across her breast, He said, 'Thief, where have you hidden it?' (68)

Trying to restrain Him, she replied, 'Today You have indeed found Your flute-theft upon my person! By good fortune Your desire is fulfilled. Go now and use that very flute to summon the cowherd women.' (69)

'You are eager to corrupt the vows of hosts of other men's wives by touching them. After hiding Your own flute somewhere, You now use the pretext of searching for it.' (70)

She then pointed Lalitā out to Him with her eyes and slipped from the loosened bond of His arm. Suspecting that His flute had secretly passed onward, Kṛṣṇa approached Lalitā, to whom it had been entrusted through Kundavallī's scheme. (71)

As He approached, angry Lalitā said, 'Hum! Stay far away! Why have You come here? Your flute is certainly not with me. If You behave insolently, You will quickly receive the proper result.' (72)

'Rogue, Rādhā's sakhīs disdain even to touch heaps of wish-fulfilling jewels lying beside them, not even with their feet. Why would they steal Your little bamboo tube?' (73)

'That flute is full of holes, devoid of rasa, and hardhearted, and she ceaselessly agitates the three worlds. Her departure from her master's hand is therefore a most auspicious event for countless beings. (74)

'Now women may securely fasten their sashes and hair and peacefully perform their household duties; the does may wander freely with their mates; and the rivers may swiftly flow toward the lord of rivers without fear.' (75)

'Because You stole the garments of the young girls who stood naked and shivering in the cold water, Your flute has now quickly departed from Your hand. One who causes suffering to others must himself suffer.' (76)

'Alas! Who could have stolen the lord of Gokula's entire fortune-a dry, perforated piece of bamboo only one hand long?' (77)

Kundalatā saw Kṛṣṇa pretending to be dejected, checked by Lalitā's disdainful laughter and words. Secretly placing His flute behind Śrī Rādhikā, she approached Him and spoke with a meaningful smile. (78)

'That worn-out, crooked joint of bamboo, full of holes, is not worth even half a cowrie. It has left Your hand, so let it go and may good fortune attend You! What loss have You suffered, and why are You despondent? You are the cowherd king's son, yet these girls laugh at You in delight. Alas, hearing them, I could die of shame.' (79)

Kṛṣṇa replied, 'Kundalatā, you speak this way because you do not understand the flute's virtues. It is no wonder that a person's own qualities reveal themselves. This flute possesses qualities found neither in these girls nor anywhere in you. (80)

'Whatever desire arises within Me, even one impossible for Me to accomplish, she fulfills perfectly at that very moment and with effortless ease, like Nārāyaṇa's spiritual potency. (81)

'She possesses every power and accomplishes all My purposes. Rādhikā and the others know well her extraordinary potency.' (82)

Lalitā replied, 'How could we not know Your flute, the queen of procuresses, expert in all their policies, full of holes, and most dear to You? (83)

'She continually dams the nectarean current flowing through women's hearts and is supremely expert at stealing the spotless virtue of the world's young women. She robs maidens headed by Ramā, Gaurī, and Saurī. Your accomplished flute, rich in astonishing qualities, is famous throughout the three worlds.' (84)

Kṛṣṇa said, 'Lalitā truly is fierce Caṇḍī, a strong thorny fortress of crooked speech. She has deceitfully stolen My flute, yet, alas, she slanders both the flute and Me.' (85)

Saying this, Hari tried to catch the end of Lalitā's upper garment. She stepped back and addressed Him with arched brows and a smiling face. (86)

'Kṛṣṇa, I am indeed that same Lalitā whom You have encountered in many ways. I move surrounded by my sakhīs, and Your roguery will bear no fruit against me.' (87)

After she spoke and began to leave, He caught her garment and said, 'Today you will not easily return home unless you hand over My flute.' (88)

'If you did not steal the flute, why flee in fear? Let Me search your limbs, and afterward you may go or remain as you please.' (89)

Pulling back her garment, Lalitā looked at Him with a crooked glance and said, 'Love-maddened one, go examine the limbs of Your own Prajāvatī.' (90)

'We neither took nor saw Your flute. Yet if Your ferocity will not let You release us, I shall pay the price Kundavallī has prescribed-or, if that does not please You, give You another flute just like it. (91)

'At my request our two friends Mallī and Bhṛṅgī, beautiful daughters of the Pulinda people who live upon Govardhana, will bring You a fresh, unbroken, holeless joint of excellent bamboo.' (92)

Kṛṣṇa replied, 'The supremely fortunate Pulinda girls are filled with love for Me. By touching grass marked with saffron from My lotus feet they soothe the pain of longing, and they constantly bring Me guñjā berries and mineral pigments from the mountain. They are My maidservants-how did they become your friends? (93)

'You steal My flute and then insult Me. I shall therefore bind and punish you. Let whoever can protect you try to do so.' (94)

Viśākhā moved Lalitā behind her and stood before Kṛṣṇa. As though quietly offering Him counsel, she smiled and spoke. (95)

'When the whereabouts of lost property are discovered, its value can be recovered with the informant's help. Seek it by a prudent method, for harshness will not accomplish the task.' (96)

Campakavallī said, 'He is exceedingly eager to recover His lost property, but why should He suffer the loss of so much wealth for a flute made from a single joint of bamboo?' (97)

Tuṅgavidyā replied, 'Innocent girl, you do not understand the heart of the matter, so listen. When the flute is someone's very treasure, what would He not give for its sake?' (98)

'When stolen property is recovered through an informant's kindness, one should first take back what is one's own. Then policy directs that the thief be heavily fined so that a reward may also be given to the informant.' (99)

Viśākhā said, 'Master, tell me what You will give the informant and what penalty You will impose upon the thief. Once I know, I shall tell You what is beneficial.' (100)

Kṛṣṇa replied, 'To whoever points out My flute, I shall give the flower garlands and jeweled necklaces from My body, the fruit pressed by My hand, the jewel of a kiss, and something still greater.' (101)

'From the thief I shall take her garment, jeweled ornaments, and the jewel of youth held within her pair of pitchers. I shall bind her with the ropes of My arms and place her in the prison of a secluded bower to receive Love's punishment.' (102)

Viśākhā replied, 'This is entirely fitting for You, son of the cowherd king. Since You are not being miserly, consider the flute already within Your hand.' (103)

'Kundavallī alone knows the flute's exact location, and I know only from her. If I were to reveal it, I would bring trouble upon myself. Therefore give her the bribe and question her carefully.' (104)

Then Viśākhā joyfully said to Kundalatā, 'Friend, by good fortune the gain destined for you has arrived. Point out the flute to your own brother-in-law and accept this exceedingly rare bribe.' (105)

As Kundavallī drew close to Viśākhā's ear, their mistress understood the signal and quietly placed the flute in Tulasī's hand. (106)

Hari then looked meaningfully at Kundavallī's face. She said, 'Viśākhā, I swear to you that I do not know the thief.' (107)

'If I knew, I would point out the culprit myself even without a bribe. Whatever belongs to my brother-in-law belongs to me; I am not an outsider like all of you.' (108)

Viśākhā said, 'You certainly know who stole the flute. Accept the jewels and point her out. Friend, if you will favor us, the flute will reach the hand of its own master.' (109)

'Either accept the bribe first or point out the flute. I shall stand as guarantor that the two of you obtain both the flute and the bribe.' (110)

Kṛṣṇa understood Kundalatikā's signal of the eyes. Openly displaying His eagerness to recover His flute, He approached Rādhā's side, but the sharp arrows of His beloved's sidelong glances brought Him to a halt. Kundalatikā then spoke to Him submissively. (111)

'The dark nectar of Your own being that You place within the flute and that imbues the universe with Kṛṣṇa's flavor is now visible here in the form of a dot.' (112)

'Rādhā stole Your flute and brought it under Her control, causing this dot to fall from it. The dot adhered to Her own chin, but because She did not notice it, She failed to conceal it.' (113)

'This dot is the flute's seal, which good fortune has allowed You to see. First remove it swiftly with Your own lower lip. Then conquer Her justly and take the flute, for both punishment and reward are fitting means by which to chastise this girl.' (114)

'Your flute is certainly present in Rādhikā, so take it from Her. Even if You do not, I suffer no loss. Viśākhā is urgently asking me for the bribe, so give her the promised wealth here before me.' (115)

Kṛṣṇa replied, 'First I shall take the flute's seal, and then quickly give her the bribe You arranged. After the flute and reward have been delivered, I shall confine this girl in the prison-bower and punish her there.' (116)

As Kṛṣṇa said this, He came close to His beloved and prepared to bite Her lip. Lalitā stepped between Them and restrained Him. Feigning anger, she spoke with a smile. (117)

'She has not yet performed today's worship of the sun. Are You stubbornly intent on defiling Her with a wound? Go away! Have You no fear of the gods or of the laws of society?' (118)

Hari said to Her, 'O Rādhe, neither My teeth nor I are at fault. The fault is Yours, for You have kept this dot openly displayed outside.' (119)

'Moon-faced one, this dot was dwelling upon Your chin. When it saw Me, its familiar friend, close by, it became frightened and at once entered the fortress of My teeth. Through association with it, My teeth became the teeth that bit You.' (120)

(Verses 120-121 form a pair.) Kundavallī said, 'In this marvelous bindu-cyutaka poem You have displayed Your poetic power. Yet out of rivalry the master poet has surpassed You by bringing the missing dot back into the composition.' (121)

'When a gifted person reveals the excellence of his qualities, connoisseurs find no fault but become delighted. You should therefore adorn this poet with a jeweled necklace.' (122)

The sakhīs added, 'Friend Kundavallī, since you have now blossomed beneath the cooling virtues of your brother-in-law, you yourself should worship His red lower lip with the flowers of your teeth.' (123)

Feigning anger, Kundalatikā said to Acyuta, 'Hari, this girl is Atimukharā, the granddaughter of Mukhara, and Lalitā is always exceedingly sharp. How can someone as gentle and timid as You ever recover the flute from them?' (124)

'They are many, bold, and crooked, while You are alone and tender. Protect Your garments and ornaments and leave this place for the company of Your own friends.' (125)

'Their minds covet another woman's man, and they make no distinction between dharma and adharma. Now they are even trying to fulfill Me by drawing Me into their own company.' (126)

'We are pure-hearted, virtuous women devoted to our own dharma. For such women, even conversation with a young brother-in-law is improper. (127)

'These girls are thoroughly defaming us with their wicked words, so I am going home. Give Viśākhā the wealth You promised her and release me from this entanglement.' (128)

(Verses 127-128 form a pair.) Hari laughed and said, 'Come, come, virtuous Viśākhā, and receive your jewels.' Saying this, He embraced her, while the laughing sakhīs surrounded Him. (129)

While He quarreled with them and a great commotion arose, Rādhā carefully silenced Her ornaments, entered the inner bower, and hid Herself. (130)

Meanwhile the apprehensive Tulasī carried the flute into the bower accompanied by Vṛndā. Vṛndā took the flute from her hand, pressed it to her heart, and addressed it. (131)

'O flute, although you arose from a lowly bamboo lineage, you alone are the crown ornament of all noble dynasties, for you have become the cause of such astonishing pastimes between Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa.' (132)

Her eyes restless with the laughter of her companions, Viśākhā reproached Kṛṣṇa in a choked voice. With effort she freed herself from the tight bond of His arms and spoke in anger. (133)

'We neither belong to You nor assist in Your affairs, so how could we accept Your wealth when it belongs to another? Lord of rogues, give it instead to Your own sister-in-law, the broker who arranged this transaction.' (134)

'Kundavallī, though usually bold, why have you suddenly become so naive? Why foolishly abandon the wealth of your own brother-in-law and try to make it belong to others? Why bring this stain upon us?' (135)

Kundalatā replied, 'Viśākhā, this generous giver offers wealth to you excellent twice-born recipients so that His own dharma may increase. Why should I incur sin by obstructing His charity?' (136)

'If this is His gift of affection, why are you afraid to accept it? Take it, double its value, and quickly distribute it in return.' (137)

Citrā said, 'Friend, this wealth is yours because it is your rightful wage. Why reject it as though it belonged to someone else? If you have no use for it, then enrich your own sakhī by having Him give it to Kundavallī before your eyes.' (138)

Kundavallī replied, 'Citrā, He is offering His own jewels. If you do not accept them, who suffers any loss? They will simply remain in their own home.' (139)

'Kṛṣṇa, it is not proper for You to give gifts to these insignificant girls. You are highly accomplished, so perform such accomplished charity toward Rādhā alone.' (140)

Hari searched everywhere with His eyes but could not find Rādhā. He said to Lalitā, 'Where have you hidden that thief? Crooked girl, bring your friend before Me, or you will be punished in Her place.' (141)

Lalitā replied, 'I am not Her guarantor. Who knows where She has gone? Remain here and rule with that girl who is fit for You; I am going home.' (142)

One sakhī said, 'She has gone home.' Another said, 'She has gone to worship the sun.' A third said, 'Polluted by Your touch, She has gone to bathe again in the Gaṅgā of Her mind.' (143)

Thus deceived by the sakhīs, Kṛṣṇa looked toward Kundalatā's face. She directed Him toward the secluded bower with her eyes, and He entered it. (144)

After He entered the bower's hidden chamber, the sakhīs and Kundavallī fastened its four little doors with masses of creeper-ropes and remained outside in the bower courtyard. (145)

Seeing Her beloved approaching, Rādhā tried to escape, but every doorway was closed. He therefore brought Her forcibly to the flower bed. (146)

Scorched by the forest fire of passion, the elephant Kṛṣṇa found the celestial river Rādhā alone and sported with Her according to His desire. (147)

As Her moving arms resisted the loosening of Her sash and bodice, Her bracelets rang loudly. Her voice rose in a delighted, broken stammer: 'Gi-gi-give Me My flute! Enough! D-d-don't!' Anxious to protect the treasures of Her youth and keep them as Her own, She became the abode of composure, shame, contrariness, and other graces, though the advancing warrior of bold desire drove them away. (148)

May the sweet secret pastimes of Rādhā and Mādhava in the bower be ever victorious. Their mutual prowess manifests in a brilliant festival of intense play; streams of nectar flow from the cooing in Their throats, adorned with soft cries; and Their ornaments and forms become beautiful through playful insistence upon one another. (149)

Thus the Tenth Sarga, which brings joy to Their sakhīs and follows the midday pastimes, has come to its close in Govinda-līlāmṛta, a poem born from service to Śrī Rūpa, the honeybee at Śrī Caitanya's lotus feet; composed by the fortunate Śrī Raghunātha Dāsa; arisen in the company of Śrī Jīva; and radiant through Śrī Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa.