LALITA LAVANGA 2nd Part    Extract from the Gita Govinda

On the trees the ivy climbs. Flowers open to entice the bees. We hear the kokila - the first bird of spring. It's followed by the peacock who gives his feathers to Krishna to put them in his hair. Krishna plays the flute to bewitch the Gopis, the pastoral maidens. Shy, they hide their faces behind their saris.
But today it's the festival of Holi! Krishna takes a Gopi by the hand. He throws the colored powder at her. She makes sandalwood paste to adorn Krishna's forehead. Then it's her turn to play ! She tries to hide but Krishna has already found her.
In the Spring comes Kama Dev, the God of Love, with his arrows of desire which pierce young girls' hearts. They all fall in love with Krishna. Krishna who is so radiant. When the gopis hear his flute they leave their homes to seek him everywhere.
How sad it is to be separated from one's beloved! Love is tender as a rose but all roses have thorns that pierce your heart. O Springtime! And in this springtime I, the poet Jayadev, dedicate all my love and my devotion to you - you Krishna "