Srimati Radhika sat in a bower of madhavi flowers near Malyaharini-kunda (Malyaharini-lake) and strung necklaces of pearls. The story is as follws:
Once, during the month of Kartika on the occasion of the Dipavali festival at Giriraja-Govardhana, the Vrajavasis were busily absorbed in decorating their cows and other animals with various kinds of ornaments. The gopis also brought various ornaments from their homes to decorate the cows. Sri Radhika and Her girlfriends sat on the madhavi terrace near the Malyaharini-kunda making several kinds of beautiful pearl ornaments. Meanwhile Sri Krsna arrived there, having heard of Srimati Radhika's activities from the mouth of parrot Vicaksana, and asked for some pearls. However, Radhika and Her gopi friends refused, proudly giving several reasons why they could not give Him any. Nonetheless, Sri Krsna insisted, "Sakhis if you cannot give Me a large quantity of pearls, then atleast give Me a few with which to decorate My beloved cows Hamsini and Harini." But the headstrong gopis rejected this request also. Lalita collected a palmful of pearls of the very finest quality. She held them out to Krsna, and taunted, "Krsna, these pearls that You want to decorate Your cows with are most precious. They are not ordinary. Do You understand?"
Disappointed, Sri Krsna returned home where He sulkily took some pearls from Mother Yasoda. He dug holes in the soil near the bank of the Yamuna, put manure in them, and planted the pearls. He then fenced the area to protect the growing plants from animals and birds and irrigated the field daily, with the large quantity of cow's milk. He asked the gopis to donate some milk for this, but they refused that request as well.
All were amazed when, within a few days, each and every pearl began to sprout. The plants grew right before everyone's eyes, and began to bear pearl fruit, from which extremely beautiful pearls grew in abundance. When gopis went to the bank of the Yamuna to fetch water, they saw this astonishing field of pearls and started to whisper among themselves. Sri Krsna happily harvested a huge quantity of pearls, brought them home and placed them in the lap of His mother. "Kanhaiya, where did You get such excellent pearls?" she asked in amazement. Sri Krsna told her the whole story.
Sri Krsna and the sakhas (His boyfriends) now began stringing uncountable pearl necklaces for all their cows, and, decorated with these pearl necklaces, these cows began to wander everywhere. Unable to tolerate His success, the gopis secretly brought pearls from their homes and began to sow them as Sri Krsna had done. They irrigated the field with an abundance of cow's milk as He did. Their pearls sprouted, but to their surprise, only into thorny creepers. The gopis became worried. They told Sri Krsna what had happened, and asked Him for some of His pearls. But Krsna, the crown jewel of rasikas, scornfully rejected their request. Finally He accepted kisses and embraces, and enjoyed the touch of their transcendental limbs in exchange of His pearls. Malyaharini-kunda received its name by virtue of this confidential pastime.
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