PLATE 22

Krishna dancing with the Cowgirls
Illustration to the Gita Govinda
Western Rajasthan, c. 1610
N.C. Mehta collection, Bombay

Besides describing Krishna's flute-playing, Radha's friend gives her an account of his love-making.

'An artless woman looks with ardour on Krishna's lotus face.'

'Another on the bank of the Jumna, when Krishna goes to a bamboo thicket,

Pulls at his garment to draw him back, so eager is she for amorous play.'