Bhaktivedanta Narayana Gosvami
From the book “Sri Vraja-maṇḍala-parikramā”:
Kyoṅ Nāī was an appointed meeting place of the Divine Couple Śrī Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa. Once, Śrī Kṛṣṇa was waiting for Śrīmatī Rādhikā here. Some of Śrīmatī Rādhikā’s friends had wanted to test Kṛṣṇa’s eagerness to meet with Her, so they had arrived early, and hidden Śrīmatījī in a nearby kuñja. When He saw the sakhīs Kṛṣṇa asked eagerly, “Kyoṅ nā āī? – Why has Kiśorījī not come?” To increase His longing they answered: “Abhimanyu is home today and Jaṭilā and Kuṭilā are vigilantly keeping watch. She cannot leave the house, so there is a no possibility of Her coming to see You.”
This news distressed Kṛṣṇa and it showed on His face. Pleased to see Him afflicted by separation from Śrīmatījī, the sakhīs brought Her out from the kuñja. In this way they arranged Her meeting with Kṛṣṇa. Since Kṛṣṇa asked the question Kyoṅ nā āī? here, this place was named Kyoṅ Nāī. In the course of time it has become known as Konāī. The village is four miles north of Śrī Rādhā-kuṇḍa. Gvāla-kuṇḍa and Go-kuṇḍa are places of darśana here.
Rajashekhara Dasa
From the book “Chaurasi-kosa Vraja Mandala Parikrama”:
The Bhakti-ratnakara it says, “See in front the town called Kennai where Ghanashyama felt very impatient in Radha’s absence. Krishna asked Radha’s servant why She had not come [kenna ai], therefore this place was called Kennai and later it became known as Konai. The old name of this village is ‘Kennai’ which is derived from the words, ‘kenna ai’ meaning ‘She has not come?’ These words were spoken by Krishna while searching for Radharani at this place, which is one of the sites where Radha and Krishna would hold Their secret meetings. One day, while Krishna was herding His cows in the nearby forest, He slipped away and came to this place for a secret meeting with Radharani, but on arrival found that She was not there waiting for Him. Suddenly feeling intense separation from His beloved Radha, Krishna started searching from one grove to next in order to find Her. Krishna then noticed passing nearby, one of Radharani’s messengers and enquired from her, “Kyon na ayi”, or “She did not come?” Radharani’s messenger replied, “No, Your beloved Radha did not come.” On hearing the words of the messenger, Krishna became very sad and felt dejected at not being able to meet His beloved Radha. Meanwhile, hiding themselves in a nearby grove along with Radharani, the gopis were very satisfied to see the heartfelt feelings of separation shown by Krishna. Suddenly coming out from the grove, the gopis brought Radharani before Krishna and His mood of separation immediately changed to one of ecstatic reunion. The gopis then made various tasteful arrangements for the ‘divine couple’ to enjoy Their secret meeting at this place. There is a sacred lake located in the south of the village known as Vamshi-kunda, the word vamshi means a ‘flute’, and the local Vrajavasis say that this was the place where Krishna’s bamboo flute originated because the bamboo that grew on the banks of this lake was of a very fine quality and perfect for making flutes.
