Chapter Twenty Rāsa-krīḍā The Rāsa-dance Pastime

Śrī Nārada said: After enjoying water pastimes, handsome Lord Kṛṣṇa went with the gopīs to Govardhana Hill.

On Govardhana Hill, in a cave where the ground was made of jewels, Lord Kṛṣṇa enjoyed a rāsa dance with Rādhā, the queen of the rāsa dance.

Sitting on a flower throne, Śrī Śrī Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa shone like a monsoon cloud and lightning on the hill.

There the happy gopī friends decorated their queen, Rādhā, with sandal, kuṅkuma, yāvaka, aguru, and kajjala.

The gopīs worshiped Kīrti's daughter Rādhā with offerings of honey. Śrī Yamunā gave nūpura anklets to Her.

Śrī Gaṅgā gave splendid maṣjīra anklets, Śrī Ramā gave a network of tinkling ornaments, and Madhumādhavī gave a necklace.

Virajā gave a beautiful candrakānta necklace splendid as millions of moons, Lalitā gave a jewel bodice, and Viśākhā gave a neck ornament.

Candrānanā gave many jewel rings and Ekādaśī gave to Rādhā two bracelets rich with many jewels.

Śatacandrānanā gave many jewel bhuja-kaṅkaṇa armlets, and Madhumatī gave a pair of glittering aṅgada armlets.

Bandī gave tāṭaṅka earrings, Sukhadāyinī gave kuṇḍala earrings, and the close friend Anandī gave a bhāla-toraṇa ornament to Rādhā.

Padmā gave beautiful forehead-tilaka, Candrakalā gave a bindu, and Padmavatī gave a nose-pearl that moved to and fro.

O king, Her beautiful friend Candrakāntā gave Rādhā a charming bhālapuṣpa splendid as the rising sun.

rādhikāyai dadau devī vṛndā vṛndāvaneśvarī evaṁ śṛṅgāra-saṁsphurjad- rūpayā rādhayā hariḥ giri-rāje babhau rājan yajṣo dakṣiṇayā yathā yatra vai rādhayā rāse śṛṅgāro 'kāri maithila tatra govardhane jātaṁ sthalaṁ śṛṅgāra-maṇḍalam atha kṛṣṇaḥ sva-priyābhir yayau candra-sarovaram śiromaṇim—a crest jewel; sundarī—Sundarī; ca—and; ratna-veṇīm—braid jewels; praharṣiṇī—Praharṣiṇī; bhūṣaṇe—two ornaments; candra-sūryākhye—named candra and sūrya; vidyut-koṭi-sama-prabhe—splendid as ten million lightning flashes; rādhikāyai—to Rādhā; dadau—gave; devī—goddess; vṛndā—Vṛndā; vṛndāvaneśvarī—the queen of Vṛndāvana; evam—thus; śṛṅgāra—with ornaments; saṁsphurjat—shining; rūpayā—form; rādhayā—with Rādhā; hariḥ—Kṛṣṇa; giri-rāje—on the king of mountains; babhau—was splendidly manifest; rājan—O king; yajṣaḥ—Yajṣa; dakṣiṇayā—with Dakṣiṇā; yathā—as; yatra—where; vai—indeed; rādhayā—with r; rāse—in the rasa dance; śṛṅgāraḥ—decoration; akāri—was; maithila—O king of Mithilā; tatra—ther; govardhane—on Govardhana Hill; jātam—born; sthalam—place; śṛṅgāra-maṇḍalam—śṛṅgāra-maṇḍalam; atha—then; kṛṣṇaḥ—Kṛṣṇa; sva-priyābhiḥ—with his beloveds; yayau—went; candra-sarovaram—to Candra-sarovara. Sundarī gave a crest-jewel, Praharṣiṇī gave a braid-jewel, and Goddess Vṛndā, the queen of Vṛndāvana, gave candra and sūrya ornaments glittering like ten million lightning flashes. Accompanied by brilliantly decorated Rādhā on the king of mountains, Lord Kṛṣṇa shone with great glory. The place on Govardhana Hill where Rādhā was decorated is known as śṛṅgāra-maṇḍala. Then, accompanied by His beloved gopīs, Lord Kṛṣṇa went to the lake Candra-sarovara.

rādhikāyai dadau devī vṛndā vṛndāvaneśvarī evaṁ śṛṅgāra-saṁsphurjad- rūpayā rādhayā hariḥ giri-rāje babhau rājan yajṣo dakṣiṇayā yathā yatra vai rādhayā rāse śṛṅgāro 'kāri maithila tatra govardhane jātaṁ sthalaṁ śṛṅgāra-maṇḍalam atha kṛṣṇaḥ sva-priyābhir yayau candra-sarovaram śiromaṇim—a crest jewel; sundarī—Sundarī; ca—and; ratna-veṇīm—braid jewels; praharṣiṇī—Praharṣiṇī; bhūṣaṇe—two ornaments; candra-sūryākhye—named candra and sūrya; vidyut-koṭi-sama-prabhe—splendid as ten million lightning flashes; rādhikāyai—to Rādhā; dadau—gave; devī—goddess; vṛndā—Vṛndā; vṛndāvaneśvarī—the queen of Vṛndāvana; evam—thus; śṛṅgāra—with ornaments; saṁsphurjat—shining; rūpayā—form; rādhayā—with Rādhā; hariḥ—Kṛṣṇa; giri-rāje—on the king of mountains; babhau—was splendidly manifest; rājan—O king; yajṣaḥ—Yajṣa; dakṣiṇayā—with Dakṣiṇā; yathā—as; yatra—where; vai—indeed; rādhayā—with r; rāse—in the rasa dance; śṛṅgāraḥ—decoration; akāri—was; maithila—O king of Mithilā; tatra—ther; govardhane—on Govardhana Hill; jātam—born; sthalam—place; śṛṅgāra-maṇḍalam—śṛṅgāra-maṇḍalam; atha—then; kṛṣṇaḥ—Kṛṣṇa; sva-priyābhiḥ—with his beloveds; yayau—went; candra-sarovaram—to Candra-sarovara. Sundarī gave a crest-jewel, Praharṣiṇī gave a braid-jewel, and Goddess Vṛndā, the queen of Vṛndāvana, gave candra and sūrya ornaments glittering like ten million lightning flashes. Accompanied by brilliantly decorated Rādhā on the king of mountains, Lord Kṛṣṇa shone with great glory. The place on Govardhana Hill where Rādhā was decorated is known as śṛṅgāra-maṇḍala. Then, accompanied by His beloved gopīs, Lord Kṛṣṇa went to the lake Candra-sarovara.

rādhikāyai dadau devī vṛndā vṛndāvaneśvarī evaṁ śṛṅgāra-saṁsphurjad- rūpayā rādhayā hariḥ giri-rāje babhau rājan yajṣo dakṣiṇayā yathā yatra vai rādhayā rāse śṛṅgāro 'kāri maithila tatra govardhane jātaṁ sthalaṁ śṛṅgāra-maṇḍalam atha kṛṣṇaḥ sva-priyābhir yayau candra-sarovaram śiromaṇim—a crest jewel; sundarī—Sundarī; ca—and; ratna-veṇīm—braid jewels; praharṣiṇī—Praharṣiṇī; bhūṣaṇe—two ornaments; candra-sūryākhye—named candra and sūrya; vidyut-koṭi-sama-prabhe—splendid as ten million lightning flashes; rādhikāyai—to Rādhā; dadau—gave; devī—goddess; vṛndā—Vṛndā; vṛndāvaneśvarī—the queen of Vṛndāvana; evam—thus; śṛṅgāra—with ornaments; saṁsphurjat—shining; rūpayā—form; rādhayā—with Rādhā; hariḥ—Kṛṣṇa; giri-rāje—on the king of mountains; babhau—was splendidly manifest; rājan—O king; yajṣaḥ—Yajṣa; dakṣiṇayā—with Dakṣiṇā; yathā—as; yatra—where; vai—indeed; rādhayā—with r; rāse—in the rasa dance; śṛṅgāraḥ—decoration; akāri—was; maithila—O king of Mithilā; tatra—ther; govardhane—on Govardhana Hill; jātam—born; sthalam—place; śṛṅgāra-maṇḍalam—śṛṅgāra-maṇḍalam; atha—then; kṛṣṇaḥ—Kṛṣṇa; sva-priyābhiḥ—with his beloveds; yayau—went; candra-sarovaram—to Candra-sarovara. Sundarī gave a crest-jewel, Praharṣiṇī gave a braid-jewel, and Goddess Vṛndā, the queen of Vṛndāvana, gave candra and sūrya ornaments glittering like ten million lightning flashes. Accompanied by brilliantly decorated Rādhā on the king of mountains, Lord Kṛṣṇa shone with great glory. The place on Govardhana Hill where Rādhā was decorated is known as śṛṅgāra-maṇḍala. Then, accompanied by His beloved gopīs, Lord Kṛṣṇa went to the lake Candra-sarovara.

rādhikāyai dadau devī vṛndā vṛndāvaneśvarī evaṁ śṛṅgāra-saṁsphurjad- rūpayā rādhayā hariḥ giri-rāje babhau rājan yajṣo dakṣiṇayā yathā yatra vai rādhayā rāse śṛṅgāro 'kāri maithila tatra govardhane jātaṁ sthalaṁ śṛṅgāra-maṇḍalam atha kṛṣṇaḥ sva-priyābhir yayau candra-sarovaram śiromaṇim—a crest jewel; sundarī—Sundarī; ca—and; ratna-veṇīm—braid jewels; praharṣiṇī—Praharṣiṇī; bhūṣaṇe—two ornaments; candra-sūryākhye—named candra and sūrya; vidyut-koṭi-sama-prabhe—splendid as ten million lightning flashes; rādhikāyai—to Rādhā; dadau—gave; devī—goddess; vṛndā—Vṛndā; vṛndāvaneśvarī—the queen of Vṛndāvana; evam—thus; śṛṅgāra—with ornaments; saṁsphurjat—shining; rūpayā—form; rādhayā—with Rādhā; hariḥ—Kṛṣṇa; giri-rāje—on the king of mountains; babhau—was splendidly manifest; rājan—O king; yajṣaḥ—Yajṣa; dakṣiṇayā—with Dakṣiṇā; yathā—as; yatra—where; vai—indeed; rādhayā—with r; rāse—in the rasa dance; śṛṅgāraḥ—decoration; akāri—was; maithila—O king of Mithilā; tatra—ther; govardhane—on Govardhana Hill; jātam—born; sthalam—place; śṛṅgāra-maṇḍalam—śṛṅgāra-maṇḍalam; atha—then; kṛṣṇaḥ—Kṛṣṇa; sva-priyābhiḥ—with his beloveds; yayau—went; candra-sarovaram—to Candra-sarovara. Sundarī gave a crest-jewel, Praharṣiṇī gave a braid-jewel, and Goddess Vṛndā, the queen of Vṛndāvana, gave candra and sūrya ornaments glittering like ten million lightning flashes. Accompanied by brilliantly decorated Rādhā on the king of mountains, Lord Kṛṣṇa shone with great glory. The place on Govardhana Hill where Rādhā was decorated is known as śṛṅgāra-maṇḍala. Then, accompanied by His beloved gopīs, Lord Kṛṣṇa went to the lake Candra-sarovara.

sahasra-dala-padme dve svaminyai haraye dadau atha kṛṣṇo hariḥ sākṣāt paśyan vṛndāvana-śriyam prayayau bāhulavanaṁ latā-jāla-samanvitam tatra sveda-samāyuktaṁ vīkṣya sarvaṁ sakhī-janam rāgaṁ tu megha-mallāraṁ jagau vaṁśī-dharaḥ svayam sadyas tatraiva vavṛṣur meghā ambu-kaṇāṁs tathā tadaiva śītalo vāyur vavau gandha-manoharaḥ tena gopī-gaṇāḥ sarve sukhaṁ prāptā videha-rāṭ cakāra—did; taj-jale—in the water; krīḍām—pastimes; gajībhiḥ—with female elephants; gaja-rāḍ—an elephgant king; iva—like; tatra—there; candraḥ—the moon; samāgatya—arriving; candrakāntau—Candrakānta; māṇī—two jewels; śubhau—beautiful; sahasra-dala-padme—thusand-petal lotuses; dve—two; svaminyai—to queen Rādhā; haraye—to Kṛṣṇa; dadau—gave; atha—then; kṛṣṇaḥ—Kṛṣṇa; hariḥ—Hari; sākṣāt—directly; paśyan—looking; vṛndāvana-śriyam—at the beauty of Vṛndāvana forest; prayayau—went; bāhulavanam—to bahulavana; latā-jāla-samanvitam—filled with a network of vines; tatra—there; sveda-samāyuktam—perspiring; vīkṣya—seeing; sarvam—all; sakhī-janam—tḤis gopī friends; rāgam—the raga; tu—indeed; megha-mallāram—megha-mallara; jagau—playged; vaṁśī—the flute; dharaḥ—holding; svayam—personally; sadyaḥ—at once; tatra—there; eva—indeed; vavṛṣuḥ—rained; meghā—the clouds; ambu-kaṇān—drops of water; tathā—so; tadā—then; eva—indeed; śītalaḥ—cool; vāyuḥ—breeze; vavau—blew; gandha-manoharaḥ—pleasantly fragrant; tena—by that; gopī-gaṇāḥ—the gopīs; sarve—all; sukham—happiness; prāptā—attained; videha-rāṭ—O king of Videha. In the water there the Lord enjoyed pastimes with the gopīs as the king of elephants enjoys with many female elephants. Then Candra came and offered two sahasra-dala (thousand-petal) lotuses and two beautiful candrakānta jewels to Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa. After gazing at the beauty of Vṛndāvana forest, Kṛṣṇa went to Bāhulavana forest, which was filled with a network of flowering vines. Noticing that all the gopīs were perspiring, He played the megha-mallāra rāga (cloud melody) on His flute, and at once many clouds rained fine drops of water. Then a fragrant cool breeze blew, and all the gopīs became happy, O king of Videha.

sahasra-dala-padme dve svaminyai haraye dadau atha kṛṣṇo hariḥ sākṣāt paśyan vṛndāvana-śriyam prayayau bāhulavanaṁ latā-jāla-samanvitam tatra sveda-samāyuktaṁ vīkṣya sarvaṁ sakhī-janam rāgaṁ tu megha-mallāraṁ jagau vaṁśī-dharaḥ svayam sadyas tatraiva vavṛṣur meghā ambu-kaṇāṁs tathā tadaiva śītalo vāyur vavau gandha-manoharaḥ tena gopī-gaṇāḥ sarve sukhaṁ prāptā videha-rāṭ cakāra—did; taj-jale—in the water; krīḍām—pastimes; gajībhiḥ—with female elephants; gaja-rāḍ—an elephgant king; iva—like; tatra—there; candraḥ—the moon; samāgatya—arriving; candrakāntau—Candrakānta; māṇī—two jewels; śubhau—beautiful; sahasra-dala-padme—thusand-petal lotuses; dve—two; svaminyai—to queen Rādhā; haraye—to Kṛṣṇa; dadau—gave; atha—then; kṛṣṇaḥ—Kṛṣṇa; hariḥ—Hari; sākṣāt—directly; paśyan—looking; vṛndāvana-śriyam—at the beauty of Vṛndāvana forest; prayayau—went; bāhulavanam—to bahulavana; latā-jāla-samanvitam—filled with a network of vines; tatra—there; sveda-samāyuktam—perspiring; vīkṣya—seeing; sarvam—all; sakhī-janam—tḤis gopī friends; rāgam—the raga; tu—indeed; megha-mallāram—megha-mallara; jagau—playged; vaṁśī—the flute; dharaḥ—holding; svayam—personally; sadyaḥ—at once; tatra—there; eva—indeed; vavṛṣuḥ—rained; meghā—the clouds; ambu-kaṇān—drops of water; tathā—so; tadā—then; eva—indeed; śītalaḥ—cool; vāyuḥ—breeze; vavau—blew; gandha-manoharaḥ—pleasantly fragrant; tena—by that; gopī-gaṇāḥ—the gopīs; sarve—all; sukham—happiness; prāptā—attained; videha-rāṭ—O king of Videha. In the water there the Lord enjoyed pastimes with the gopīs as the king of elephants enjoys with many female elephants. Then Candra came and offered two sahasra-dala (thousand-petal) lotuses and two beautiful candrakānta jewels to Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa. After gazing at the beauty of Vṛndāvana forest, Kṛṣṇa went to Bāhulavana forest, which was filled with a network of flowering vines. Noticing that all the gopīs were perspiring, He played the megha-mallāra rāga (cloud melody) on His flute, and at once many clouds rained fine drops of water. Then a fragrant cool breeze blew, and all the gopīs became happy, O king of Videha.

sahasra-dala-padme dve svaminyai haraye dadau atha kṛṣṇo hariḥ sākṣāt paśyan vṛndāvana-śriyam prayayau bāhulavanaṁ latā-jāla-samanvitam tatra sveda-samāyuktaṁ vīkṣya sarvaṁ sakhī-janam rāgaṁ tu megha-mallāraṁ jagau vaṁśī-dharaḥ svayam sadyas tatraiva vavṛṣur meghā ambu-kaṇāṁs tathā tadaiva śītalo vāyur vavau gandha-manoharaḥ tena gopī-gaṇāḥ sarve sukhaṁ prāptā videha-rāṭ cakāra—did; taj-jale—in the water; krīḍām—pastimes; gajībhiḥ—with female elephants; gaja-rāḍ—an elephgant king; iva—like; tatra—there; candraḥ—the moon; samāgatya—arriving; candrakāntau—Candrakānta; māṇī—two jewels; śubhau—beautiful; sahasra-dala-padme—thusand-petal lotuses; dve—two; svaminyai—to queen Rādhā; haraye—to Kṛṣṇa; dadau—gave; atha—then; kṛṣṇaḥ—Kṛṣṇa; hariḥ—Hari; sākṣāt—directly; paśyan—looking; vṛndāvana-śriyam—at the beauty of Vṛndāvana forest; prayayau—went; bāhulavanam—to bahulavana; latā-jāla-samanvitam—filled with a network of vines; tatra—there; sveda-samāyuktam—perspiring; vīkṣya—seeing; sarvam—all; sakhī-janam—tḤis gopī friends; rāgam—the raga; tu—indeed; megha-mallāram—megha-mallara; jagau—playged; vaṁśī—the flute; dharaḥ—holding; svayam—personally; sadyaḥ—at once; tatra—there; eva—indeed; vavṛṣuḥ—rained; meghā—the clouds; ambu-kaṇān—drops of water; tathā—so; tadā—then; eva—indeed; śītalaḥ—cool; vāyuḥ—breeze; vavau—blew; gandha-manoharaḥ—pleasantly fragrant; tena—by that; gopī-gaṇāḥ—the gopīs; sarve—all; sukham—happiness; prāptā—attained; videha-rāṭ—O king of Videha. In the water there the Lord enjoyed pastimes with the gopīs as the king of elephants enjoys with many female elephants. Then Candra came and offered two sahasra-dala (thousand-petal) lotuses and two beautiful candrakānta jewels to Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa. After gazing at the beauty of Vṛndāvana forest, Kṛṣṇa went to Bāhulavana forest, which was filled with a network of flowering vines. Noticing that all the gopīs were perspiring, He played the megha-mallāra rāga (cloud melody) on His flute, and at once many clouds rained fine drops of water. Then a fragrant cool breeze blew, and all the gopīs became happy, O king of Videha.

sahasra-dala-padme dve svaminyai haraye dadau atha kṛṣṇo hariḥ sākṣāt paśyan vṛndāvana-śriyam prayayau bāhulavanaṁ latā-jāla-samanvitam tatra sveda-samāyuktaṁ vīkṣya sarvaṁ sakhī-janam rāgaṁ tu megha-mallāraṁ jagau vaṁśī-dharaḥ svayam sadyas tatraiva vavṛṣur meghā ambu-kaṇāṁs tathā tadaiva śītalo vāyur vavau gandha-manoharaḥ tena gopī-gaṇāḥ sarve sukhaṁ prāptā videha-rāṭ cakāra—did; taj-jale—in the water; krīḍām—pastimes; gajībhiḥ—with female elephants; gaja-rāḍ—an elephgant king; iva—like; tatra—there; candraḥ—the moon; samāgatya—arriving; candrakāntau—Candrakānta; māṇī—two jewels; śubhau—beautiful; sahasra-dala-padme—thusand-petal lotuses; dve—two; svaminyai—to queen Rādhā; haraye—to Kṛṣṇa; dadau—gave; atha—then; kṛṣṇaḥ—Kṛṣṇa; hariḥ—Hari; sākṣāt—directly; paśyan—looking; vṛndāvana-śriyam—at the beauty of Vṛndāvana forest; prayayau—went; bāhulavanam—to bahulavana; latā-jāla-samanvitam—filled with a network of vines; tatra—there; sveda-samāyuktam—perspiring; vīkṣya—seeing; sarvam—all; sakhī-janam—tḤis gopī friends; rāgam—the raga; tu—indeed; megha-mallāram—megha-mallara; jagau—playged; vaṁśī—the flute; dharaḥ—holding; svayam—personally; sadyaḥ—at once; tatra—there; eva—indeed; vavṛṣuḥ—rained; meghā—the clouds; ambu-kaṇān—drops of water; tathā—so; tadā—then; eva—indeed; śītalaḥ—cool; vāyuḥ—breeze; vavau—blew; gandha-manoharaḥ—pleasantly fragrant; tena—by that; gopī-gaṇāḥ—the gopīs; sarve—all; sukham—happiness; prāptā—attained; videha-rāṭ—O king of Videha. In the water there the Lord enjoyed pastimes with the gopīs as the king of elephants enjoys with many female elephants. Then Candra came and offered two sahasra-dala (thousand-petal) lotuses and two beautiful candrakānta jewels to Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa. After gazing at the beauty of Vṛndāvana forest, Kṛṣṇa went to Bāhulavana forest, which was filled with a network of flowering vines. Noticing that all the gopīs were perspiring, He played the megha-mallāra rāga (cloud melody) on His flute, and at once many clouds rained fine drops of water. Then a fragrant cool breeze blew, and all the gopīs became happy, O king of Videha.

sahasra-dala-padme dve svaminyai haraye dadau atha kṛṣṇo hariḥ sākṣāt paśyan vṛndāvana-śriyam prayayau bāhulavanaṁ latā-jāla-samanvitam tatra sveda-samāyuktaṁ vīkṣya sarvaṁ sakhī-janam rāgaṁ tu megha-mallāraṁ jagau vaṁśī-dharaḥ svayam sadyas tatraiva vavṛṣur meghā ambu-kaṇāṁs tathā tadaiva śītalo vāyur vavau gandha-manoharaḥ tena gopī-gaṇāḥ sarve sukhaṁ prāptā videha-rāṭ cakāra—did; taj-jale—in the water; krīḍām—pastimes; gajībhiḥ—with female elephants; gaja-rāḍ—an elephgant king; iva—like; tatra—there; candraḥ—the moon; samāgatya—arriving; candrakāntau—Candrakānta; māṇī—two jewels; śubhau—beautiful; sahasra-dala-padme—thusand-petal lotuses; dve—two; svaminyai—to queen Rādhā; haraye—to Kṛṣṇa; dadau—gave; atha—then; kṛṣṇaḥ—Kṛṣṇa; hariḥ—Hari; sākṣāt—directly; paśyan—looking; vṛndāvana-śriyam—at the beauty of Vṛndāvana forest; prayayau—went; bāhulavanam—to bahulavana; latā-jāla-samanvitam—filled with a network of vines; tatra—there; sveda-samāyuktam—perspiring; vīkṣya—seeing; sarvam—all; sakhī-janam—tḤis gopī friends; rāgam—the raga; tu—indeed; megha-mallāram—megha-mallara; jagau—playged; vaṁśī—the flute; dharaḥ—holding; svayam—personally; sadyaḥ—at once; tatra—there; eva—indeed; vavṛṣuḥ—rained; meghā—the clouds; ambu-kaṇān—drops of water; tathā—so; tadā—then; eva—indeed; śītalaḥ—cool; vāyuḥ—breeze; vavau—blew; gandha-manoharaḥ—pleasantly fragrant; tena—by that; gopī-gaṇāḥ—the gopīs; sarve—all; sukham—happiness; prāptā—attained; videha-rāṭ—O king of Videha. In the water there the Lord enjoyed pastimes with the gopīs as the king of elephants enjoys with many female elephants. Then Candra came and offered two sahasra-dala (thousand-petal) lotuses and two beautiful candrakānta jewels to Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa. After gazing at the beauty of Vṛndāvana forest, Kṛṣṇa went to Bāhulavana forest, which was filled with a network of flowering vines. Noticing that all the gopīs were perspiring, He played the megha-mallāra rāga (cloud melody) on His flute, and at once many clouds rained fine drops of water. Then a fragrant cool breeze blew, and all the gopīs became happy, O king of Videha.

The gopīs loudly sang Śrī Kṛṣṇa's glories. Then Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the Lord of Rādhā, went to Tālavana.

Singing, the Lord formed a rāsa-dance circle with the girls of Vraja. Then the gopīs began to perspire. They were tortured with thirst.

Folding their hands in the middle of the rāsa dance, the gopīs slowly said to Lord Kṛṣṇa, the master of the rāsa dance: "O Lord, the Yamunā is far away, and we have become very thirsty.

"O Kṛṣṇa, please do something so that in this rāsa dance arena we may drink water and enjoy water pastimes.

"You are the creator, protector and destroyer of the worlds." Hearing this, Lord Kṛṣṇa struck the ground with His stick.

At once a stream called the Vetra-gaṅgā sprang up. Simply by touching it one becomes free of the sin of killing a brāhmaṇa. O king of Mithilā, anyone who bathes there goes to Goloka.

Then Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the original Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is more charming than Kāmadeva, enjoyed water pastimes with Śrī Rādhā and the gopīs.

Then, as the girls of Vraja looked on, Rādhā decorated Śrī Kṛṣṇa with many flowers and ornaments.

In this way Lord Kṛṣṇa' belt was decorated with campaka flowers, and His armlets with svarṇa-yūthī flowers. He wore a garland of mohinī, mālinī, kunda, and ketakī flowers. His ears were made splendid with the whorls of thousand-petal lotuses.

In this way Lord Kṛṣṇa' belt was decorated with campaka flowers, and His armlets with svarṇa-yūthī flowers. He wore a garland of mohinī, mālinī, kunda, and ketakī flowers. His ears were made splendid with the whorls of thousand-petal lotuses.

Lord Kṛṣṇa's crown and bracelets were made splendid with kadamba flowers, His upper garment was decorated with mandāra flowers, and His stick was decorated with lotuses.

babhau kumudvane rājan vasanto harṣito yathā mṛdaṅga-vīṇā-vaṁśībhir muru-yaṣṭi-sukāṁsyakaiḥ tāla-śeṣais talair yuktā jagur gopyo manoharaṁ bhairavaṁ megha-mallāraṁ dīpakaṁ mālakośakaṁ śrī-rāgaṁ cāpi hindolaṁ rāgam eva pṛthak pṛthak aṣṭa-tālais tribhir grāmaiḥ svaraiḥ saptabhir agrataḥ tulasī-maṣjarī-yukta—with tulasī-ma 24jarīs; vana-mālā-vibhūṣitaḥ—decorated with a forest garland; evam—thus; śṛṅgāratām—decoration; prāptaḥ—attained; śrī-kṛṣṇaḥ—Śrī Kṛṣṇa; priyayā—by His beloved; svayā—own; babhau—was splendidly manifest; kumudvane—in Kumudvana forest; rājan—O king; vasantaḥ—springtime; harṣitaḥ—pleased; yathā—as; mṛdaṅga-vīṇā—with mṛdaṅgas and vīṇās; vaṁśībhiḥ—with flutes; muru-yaṣṭi—with muru drums; sukāṁsyakaiḥ tāla-śeṣaiḥ talaiḥ——karatālas; yuktā—with; jaguḥ—sang; gopyaḥ—the gopīs; manoharam—beautiful; bhairavam—bhairava-raga; megha-mallāram—megha-mallara-raga; dīpakam—dipaka; mālakośakam—malakosam; śrī-rāgam—sri-raga; ca—also; api—and; hindolam—hindola; rāgam—raga; eva—indeed; pṛthak pṛthak—specifically; aṣṭa——eight; tālaiḥ—rhythms; tribhiḥ—three; grāmaiḥ—scales; svaraiḥ—with notes; saptabhiḥ—seven; agrataḥ—in the presence. O king, then He was decorated with a garland of tulasī-maṣjarīs and forest flowers. In this way Lord Kṛṣṇa was decorated. Accompanied by His beloved, He was happy and splendid as if He were the Deity of springtime personified. Then, with mṛdaṅgas, vīṇās, flutes, murus, yaṣṭis, and karatālas, the gopīs played melodies in three scales of seven notes in the rāgas bhairava, megha-mallāra, dīpaka, mālakośaka, śrī-rāga, and hindola.

babhau kumudvane rājan vasanto harṣito yathā mṛdaṅga-vīṇā-vaṁśībhir muru-yaṣṭi-sukāṁsyakaiḥ tāla-śeṣais talair yuktā jagur gopyo manoharaṁ bhairavaṁ megha-mallāraṁ dīpakaṁ mālakośakaṁ śrī-rāgaṁ cāpi hindolaṁ rāgam eva pṛthak pṛthak aṣṭa-tālais tribhir grāmaiḥ svaraiḥ saptabhir agrataḥ tulasī-maṣjarī-yukta—with tulasī-ma 24jarīs; vana-mālā-vibhūṣitaḥ—decorated with a forest garland; evam—thus; śṛṅgāratām—decoration; prāptaḥ—attained; śrī-kṛṣṇaḥ—Śrī Kṛṣṇa; priyayā—by His beloved; svayā—own; babhau—was splendidly manifest; kumudvane—in Kumudvana forest; rājan—O king; vasantaḥ—springtime; harṣitaḥ—pleased; yathā—as; mṛdaṅga-vīṇā—with mṛdaṅgas and vīṇās; vaṁśībhiḥ—with flutes; muru-yaṣṭi—with muru drums; sukāṁsyakaiḥ tāla-śeṣaiḥ talaiḥ——karatālas; yuktā—with; jaguḥ—sang; gopyaḥ—the gopīs; manoharam—beautiful; bhairavam—bhairava-raga; megha-mallāram—megha-mallara-raga; dīpakam—dipaka; mālakośakam—malakosam; śrī-rāgam—sri-raga; ca—also; api—and; hindolam—hindola; rāgam—raga; eva—indeed; pṛthak pṛthak—specifically; aṣṭa——eight; tālaiḥ—rhythms; tribhiḥ—three; grāmaiḥ—scales; svaraiḥ—with notes; saptabhiḥ—seven; agrataḥ—in the presence. O king, then He was decorated with a garland of tulasī-maṣjarīs and forest flowers. In this way Lord Kṛṣṇa was decorated. Accompanied by His beloved, He was happy and splendid as if He were the Deity of springtime personified. Then, with mṛdaṅgas, vīṇās, flutes, murus, yaṣṭis, and karatālas, the gopīs played melodies in three scales of seven notes in the rāgas bhairava, megha-mallāra, dīpaka, mālakośaka, śrī-rāga, and hindola.

babhau kumudvane rājan vasanto harṣito yathā mṛdaṅga-vīṇā-vaṁśībhir muru-yaṣṭi-sukāṁsyakaiḥ tāla-śeṣais talair yuktā jagur gopyo manoharaṁ bhairavaṁ megha-mallāraṁ dīpakaṁ mālakośakaṁ śrī-rāgaṁ cāpi hindolaṁ rāgam eva pṛthak pṛthak aṣṭa-tālais tribhir grāmaiḥ svaraiḥ saptabhir agrataḥ tulasī-maṣjarī-yukta—with tulasī-ma 24jarīs; vana-mālā-vibhūṣitaḥ—decorated with a forest garland; evam—thus; śṛṅgāratām—decoration; prāptaḥ—attained; śrī-kṛṣṇaḥ—Śrī Kṛṣṇa; priyayā—by His beloved; svayā—own; babhau—was splendidly manifest; kumudvane—in Kumudvana forest; rājan—O king; vasantaḥ—springtime; harṣitaḥ—pleased; yathā—as; mṛdaṅga-vīṇā—with mṛdaṅgas and vīṇās; vaṁśībhiḥ—with flutes; muru-yaṣṭi—with muru drums; sukāṁsyakaiḥ tāla-śeṣaiḥ talaiḥ——karatālas; yuktā—with; jaguḥ—sang; gopyaḥ—the gopīs; manoharam—beautiful; bhairavam—bhairava-raga; megha-mallāram—megha-mallara-raga; dīpakam—dipaka; mālakośakam—malakosam; śrī-rāgam—sri-raga; ca—also; api—and; hindolam—hindola; rāgam—raga; eva—indeed; pṛthak pṛthak—specifically; aṣṭa——eight; tālaiḥ—rhythms; tribhiḥ—three; grāmaiḥ—scales; svaraiḥ—with notes; saptabhiḥ—seven; agrataḥ—in the presence. O king, then He was decorated with a garland of tulasī-maṣjarīs and forest flowers. In this way Lord Kṛṣṇa was decorated. Accompanied by His beloved, He was happy and splendid as if He were the Deity of springtime personified. Then, with mṛdaṅgas, vīṇās, flutes, murus, yaṣṭis, and karatālas, the gopīs played melodies in three scales of seven notes in the rāgas bhairava, megha-mallāra, dīpaka, mālakośaka, śrī-rāga, and hindola.

babhau kumudvane rājan vasanto harṣito yathā mṛdaṅga-vīṇā-vaṁśībhir muru-yaṣṭi-sukāṁsyakaiḥ tāla-śeṣais talair yuktā jagur gopyo manoharaṁ bhairavaṁ megha-mallāraṁ dīpakaṁ mālakośakaṁ śrī-rāgaṁ cāpi hindolaṁ rāgam eva pṛthak pṛthak aṣṭa-tālais tribhir grāmaiḥ svaraiḥ saptabhir agrataḥ tulasī-maṣjarī-yukta—with tulasī-ma 24jarīs; vana-mālā-vibhūṣitaḥ—decorated with a forest garland; evam—thus; śṛṅgāratām—decoration; prāptaḥ—attained; śrī-kṛṣṇaḥ—Śrī Kṛṣṇa; priyayā—by His beloved; svayā—own; babhau—was splendidly manifest; kumudvane—in Kumudvana forest; rājan—O king; vasantaḥ—springtime; harṣitaḥ—pleased; yathā—as; mṛdaṅga-vīṇā—with mṛdaṅgas and vīṇās; vaṁśībhiḥ—with flutes; muru-yaṣṭi—with muru drums; sukāṁsyakaiḥ tāla-śeṣaiḥ talaiḥ——karatālas; yuktā—with; jaguḥ—sang; gopyaḥ—the gopīs; manoharam—beautiful; bhairavam—bhairava-raga; megha-mallāram—megha-mallara-raga; dīpakam—dipaka; mālakośakam—malakosam; śrī-rāgam—sri-raga; ca—also; api—and; hindolam—hindola; rāgam—raga; eva—indeed; pṛthak pṛthak—specifically; aṣṭa——eight; tālaiḥ—rhythms; tribhiḥ—three; grāmaiḥ—scales; svaraiḥ—with notes; saptabhiḥ—seven; agrataḥ—in the presence. O king, then He was decorated with a garland of tulasī-maṣjarīs and forest flowers. In this way Lord Kṛṣṇa was decorated. Accompanied by His beloved, He was happy and splendid as if He were the Deity of springtime personified. Then, with mṛdaṅgas, vīṇās, flutes, murus, yaṣṭis, and karatālas, the gopīs played melodies in three scales of seven notes in the rāgas bhairava, megha-mallāra, dīpaka, mālakośaka, śrī-rāga, and hindola.

gāyan madhuvanaṁ prāgāt sundarī-gaṇa-samvṛtaḥ rāseśvaryā rāsa-līlāṁ cakre rāseśvaraḥ svayam nṛtyaiḥ—with dancing; nānā-vidhai—of various kinds; ramyaiḥ—beautiful; hāva-bhāva-samanvitaiḥ—with amorous gestures; toṣayantyaḥ—pleasing; harim—Kṛṣṇa; rādhām—Rādhā; kaṭākṣaiḥ—with sidelong glances; vraja-gopikāḥ—the vraja-gopīs; gāyan—singing; madhuvanam—to madfhuvana; prāgāt—went; sundarī-gaṇa-samvṛtaḥ—accompanied by the beautiful girls; rāseśvaryā—with the queen of the rasa dance; rāsa-līlām—the rasa dance pastime; cakre—did; rāseśvaraḥ—the king of the rasa dance; svayam—personally. With many different dances, with amorous gestures, and with sidelong glances the gopīs pleased Kṛṣṇa. Then, accompanied by the gopīs as He sang Śrī Rādhā's glories, Lord Kṛṣṇa, the king of the rāsa dance, went to Madhuvana forest, where He enjoyed a rāsa dance with Śrī Rādhā, the queen of the rāsa dance.

gāyan madhuvanaṁ prāgāt sundarī-gaṇa-samvṛtaḥ rāseśvaryā rāsa-līlāṁ cakre rāseśvaraḥ svayam nṛtyaiḥ—with dancing; nānā-vidhai—of various kinds; ramyaiḥ—beautiful; hāva-bhāva-samanvitaiḥ—with amorous gestures; toṣayantyaḥ—pleasing; harim—Kṛṣṇa; rādhām—Rādhā; kaṭākṣaiḥ—with sidelong glances; vraja-gopikāḥ—the vraja-gopīs; gāyan—singing; madhuvanam—to madfhuvana; prāgāt—went; sundarī-gaṇa-samvṛtaḥ—accompanied by the beautiful girls; rāseśvaryā—with the queen of the rasa dance; rāsa-līlām—the rasa dance pastime; cakre—did; rāseśvaraḥ—the king of the rasa dance; svayam—personally. With many different dances, with amorous gestures, and with sidelong glances the gopīs pleased Kṛṣṇa. Then, accompanied by the gopīs as He sang Śrī Rādhā's glories, Lord Kṛṣṇa, the king of the rāsa dance, went to Madhuvana forest, where He enjoyed a rāsa dance with Śrī Rādhā, the queen of the rāsa dance.

vikacan-mādhavī-vṛndaiḥ śobhite nirjane vane reme gopī-gaṇaiḥ kṛṣṇo nandane vṛtra-hā yathā vaiśākha—of Vaiśākha; candra—of the moon; kaumudyā—with the light; mālatī—of malati flowers; gandha—with the scent; vāyunā—with a breeze; sphurat—blossoming; saugandha—fragrant; kahlāra—of kahlara lotuses; patat—flying; reṇu—pollen; utkareṇa—with a multitude; vai—indeed; vikacat—blossoming; mādhavī-vṛndaiḥ—with madhavi vines; śobhite—beautiful; nirjane—secluded; vane—in the forest; reme—enjoyed; gopī-gaṇaiḥ—with the gopīs; kṛṣṇaḥ—Kṛṣṇa; nandane—in the Nandana gardens; vṛtra-hā—Indra; yathā—as. In this way, during the month of Vaiśākha (April-May), in a secluded forest beautiful with flowering mālatī vines and a breeze carrying the fragrance of mālatī flowers and the fragrant pollen of blossoming kahlāra lotuses, Lord Kṛṣṇa enjoyed with the gopīs as Indra enjoys in the Nandana gardens. .pa

vikacan-mādhavī-vṛndaiḥ śobhite nirjane vane reme gopī-gaṇaiḥ kṛṣṇo nandane vṛtra-hā yathā vaiśākha—of Vaiśākha; candra—of the moon; kaumudyā—with the light; mālatī—of malati flowers; gandha—with the scent; vāyunā—with a breeze; sphurat—blossoming; saugandha—fragrant; kahlāra—of kahlara lotuses; patat—flying; reṇu—pollen; utkareṇa—with a multitude; vai—indeed; vikacat—blossoming; mādhavī-vṛndaiḥ—with madhavi vines; śobhite—beautiful; nirjane—secluded; vane—in the forest; reme—enjoyed; gopī-gaṇaiḥ—with the gopīs; kṛṣṇaḥ—Kṛṣṇa; nandane—in the Nandana gardens; vṛtra-hā—Indra; yathā—as. In this way, during the month of Vaiśākha (April-May), in a secluded forest beautiful with flowering mālatī vines and a breeze carrying the fragrance of mālatī flowers and the fragrant pollen of blossoming kahlāra lotuses, Lord Kṛṣṇa enjoyed with the gopīs as Indra enjoys in the Nandana gardens. .pa