Oh Lord, When will You Come and Remove Our Material Coverings Too?

Self deception. You're fooling yourself if you assert that this painting is devoid of eroticism in your statement, "Even though many have seen it so, this episode has no titillation value." The "one (who) hides her face in the waters blooming with lotus petals" is in fact clearly, carnally, hiding her face within her lover’s petals. Her lover does not look “perplexed” but rather ambivalent to Krishna’s antics, at least until she reaches/completes her own orgasm.
Furthermore, if you examine the whole painting (h t t p : / / w w w. exoticindiaart.com/hindu/chir__harana_the_stealing_of_the_garments_of_the_ha91sm.jpg), that is to say not just the cropped version you presented to assert your own “non-titillating theory”, you will see that the tree itself is phallic symbology of Krishna’s own sex organ, and that the one woman who is lovingly enrapt in her embrace of his phallus is clearly “first”, with the other virgins waiting in line for his sexual attention—this recognizes the duality that has always existed in this world and suggests an effort on our part to bring these two forces together, ultimately leading to a higher unity and non-dual state of Oneness. You can even see that the 4th and 5th girls on the shore (from the left) are even masturbating as they wait!
The actual legend says that Krishna teased the women until he was greeted with “Namaste’ and only then did he relent” As you can see, the 2nd, 3rd, and 6th maidens are all gesturing the Namaste’ mudra, with the 3rd maiden raising it above her head as a sign of utmost reverence or respect.