Shloka 1
The Vraja Elders Question Kṛṣṇa’s Identity; Nanda Recounts Garga’s Prophecy
श्रीशुक उवाच एवंविधानि कर्माणि गोपा: कृष्णस्य वीक्ष्य ते । अतद्वीर्यविद: प्रोचु: समभ्येत्य सुविस्मिता: ॥ १ ॥
śrī-śuka uvāca evaṁ-vidhāni karmāṇi gopāḥ kṛṣṇasya vīkṣya te atad-vīrya-vidaḥ procuḥ samabhyetya su-vismitāḥ
శ్రీశుకదేవ గోస్వామి అన్నారు: గోపులు గోవర్ధనధారణ వంటి శ్రీకృష్ణుని కార్యాలను చూసి ఆశ్చర్యపోయారు. ఆయన అతీంద్రియ శక్తిని గ్రహించలేక నంద మహారాజుని దగ్గరకు వచ్చి ఇలా పలికారు.
Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura explains this verse as follows: “During Lord Kṛṣṇa’s pastime of lifting Śrī Govardhana Hill, the cowherd men simply enjoyed the spiritual bliss of the Lord’s activities without analyzing them. But afterwards, when they had returned to their homes, perplexity arose within their hearts. Thus they thought, ‘Now we have directly seen child Kṛṣṇa lift Govardhana Hill, and we remember how He killed Pūtanā and other demons, extinguished the forest fire, and so on. At the time, we thought that these extraordinary acts occurred because of a benediction from the brāhmaṇas or because of Nanda Mahārāja’s great fortune, or that perhaps this boy had achieved the mercy of Lord Nārāyaṇa and was thus empowered by Him.
FAQs
This verse states that the cowherd men, after witnessing Kṛṣṇa’s extraordinary activities, approached Him in great amazement—yet they still did not fully understand His limitless divine power.
Because they had just seen remarkable acts performed by Kṛṣṇa; overwhelmed with wonder, they came near Him to ask and speak, though they remained unaware of His complete supremacy.
It encourages humility and reverent inquiry: when we encounter the Lord’s grace or extraordinary events, we should approach with openness, ask sincerely, and deepen our faith rather than assuming we understand everything.