The gopis are forever in contest with Krishna — it is the very surge of their love: whatever he does, they will outdo. If he plants a pearl, they gather all the pearls of Vraja and plant their own; if he digs Shyama-kunda, they dig Radha-kunda; if he holds a bathing-abhishek, they set Radhika on a throne and perform her royal raja-abhishek. And one day the contest turns to music. Krishna lifts the flute to his lips and begins a strain — and Radhika takes up her vina and answers him. And she plays so wondrously that Krishna is stunned. He whose flute enchants all three worlds is himself enchanted: he stands frozen, holding one single note until his breath runs out. He is defeated. It is for this that Rupa Goswami longs, sighing: "When will that day come? When will the sound of Radhika's vina be a guest on the pathway of my ears? When will I see Krishna defeated in the music contest with Radhika?"