Vraja's all-auspicious Queen Yasoda said, "Ah! All the girls have
come. Why has Radha who is more dear to me than life, not come."
Hearing that
Yasoda had said those words, and seeing that the sun had risen, Radha quickly
performed Her morning duties and, accompanied by Lalita, Visakha, and Her other
gopi friends who had taken turns sleeping and staying awake to guard Her at
night, Radha went to Queen Yasoda's abode. As She went, Radha delighted the
gopis with the splendour of her beauty. Every direction and every heart was filled
with Her splendour. The gopis gazed at Her with unblinking eyes. They thought:
"When the moon, the blue lotus, and the bandhuka and sesame flowers all
blossom on a golden vine, that is the wonder that is Krishna's dear Radha." .
Her heart thirsting with devotion, Radha fell to the ground and humbly
offered obeisances to Lord Krishna's mother. Accompanied by her associates,
Yasoda happily welcomed Her.
Radha fell at Yasoda's feet. Yasoda placed a hand on Radha's head.
Radha remained on the ground before Yasoda. Yasoda smelled the hair of Radha's
head. Yasoda picked Her up and held Her in her arms. With eyes filled with tears
Radha and Yasoda gazed at each other. How can I describe Their gaze. Seeing that Radha was shy to honour Rohini and the other ladies,
Yasoda said to Her, "Daughter, You should offer obeisances to Your elders." With
a flood of devotion wise and charming Radha bowed down before the elder ladies.
With a bowed head she sat down at a respectful distance. Then Lalita and the other friends of Radha also offered obeisances to
the elder ladies and also sat down.
Then Rohini said,
"0 queen of Vraja, the star Rohini now shines with
great happiness. Shaking off Her original nature, the star Radha has now become
an intelligent girl. I give this command: Radha and Her friends, splendid like
moonlight, should go into the kitchen and prove their skill in cooking. Dhanya,
Mangala and other glorious girls dear to Krishna, girls whose names are delightful
and auspicious, should join them there. I do not need to ask Lalita and the other
girls who are like expansions of Radha's own form. They will certainly help."
With this command the saintly girls offered obeisances and
disappeared into the kitchen.
