41-48 Further Prayers by the Devatas

41-45 "Hey Kṛṣṇa! You are dhīra (sober and daring), sundara and possess all good merits; thus, we praise you! You return from the forest at the end of the day and at the end of the night, having enjoyed prema keli with your kāntās you are the sarva śreṣṭha puruṣa (the greatest of all puruṣa), your effulgence is dazzling, you destory the demons and you are inexhaustible in all work!"

Oh hey Aghare! Hey Bakare! You peacefully held Giri Govardhan to curb deva Rāja Indra's pride; thus we praise you! You are the source of Śiva, you are a rasamaya līlā-vihārī and you are destroyer of Hiraṇyakaśipu!"

"Hey Kṛṣṇa! We praise you! You are the weightiest amongst all dignitaries and the mahat Svarūpa of the glorious. Your fame is spread everywhere as the parama deva. Although you are unknown to the impious, you are more glorious than the sumeru mountain, stronger than the strongest and the most intelligent of all."

"Hey Kṛṣṇa, Hey Jagat-pāvana (merciful with the univers)! We praise you! Your character purifies the holy tīrthas, you destroy the asuras and you are the boat for crossing the ocean of birth and death. Although you are manifested within the sadhus' hearts and you are friendly to the pious, you strike fear for the dishonest! Thus, your reputation is wonderful!"

"Hey Kṛṣṇa, we glorify you. Your go-caraṇa līlā is simply manohara! You destroy the asuras to protect the three worlds (svarga, martya and patala). And it's our great privilege to have your darśana which is coveted by the sages and the sadhus. Thus, your karūṇā is astonishing!"

Ṭīkā: Although the devatas' prayers are instructive, they lack the mood that mādhura Vṛndāvana, bhaktas wish to follow. Thus, the devatas have a great appreciation for Kṛṣṇa's glories, but on the other hand, being too infatuated by heavenly pleasures, they are unable to perform resolute sadhana in the Vrajavāsīs' footsteps.

In every śolaka they pray to Kṛṣṇa as the destroyer of the asuras; and there is a good reason. It is their atmost concern that Kṛṣṇa (as Viṣṇu) protect their heavenly abode. Otherwise, the greedy asuras would plunder their opulences, riches and peace of mind, after usurping their kingdom!

46 As the devatas conclude their prayers, Kṛṣṇa fulfills their desires with his merciful glance. But then they ponder: "If we remain here, Kṛṣṇa's līlā will be disturbed!" Thus, they offer pranams and leave by the skyways.

Ṭīkā: The devatas are well aware that they stand 'out of place' in madhura Vṛndāvan's śuddha premamaya setting. Thus, in fear of committing aparādhas, they depart to watch from behind the clouds. After hearing the devatas' stavas, Kṛṣṇa doesn't show any aiśvarya, for it would be unbefitting to his sakhās, who are immersed in his sweet nara līlā.

Kṛṣṇahnika-kaumudī mentions, however, that sometimes Brahmā, Śiva or other devatas come disguised as Vrajavāsīs (gopa kumāras) to worship Kṛṣṇa.

47 "Look! Aren't those devatas foolish to praise Kṛṣṇa like that?" the sakhās say. "Don't they know that Viṣṇu blessed Kṛṣṇa to kill those demons, beging pleased by Nanda Maharaja's worship?"

Ṭīkā: The sakhās think that the devatas are foolish and take their praises as being highly exaggarated. This is the quality of Vraja prema— even after hearing about Kṛṣṇa's spectacular aiśvarya, the Vrajavāsīs'hearts can not accept it.

48 Thus the sakhās laugh and mock the devatas, imitate their facial expression and movements and go on playing with Kṛṣṇa.

Ṭīkā: As the devatas fold their hands, solemnly offer praers and fall to the ground offering obeisances, the sakhās enjoy making a game out of such behavior. Indeed, the devatas reverential mood and stiff conduct appear strange and inappropriate to them.