Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.13.7
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
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pāyayitvā
—
having given to drink
Causative gerund of √pā (to drink). The boys cause the calves to drink — sevā is causative grammar: the devotee arranges the dependent's well-being. Gauḍīyas read this small verb as the structure of all sevā.
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śādvale
—
in a place of green, tender grasses
Locative of śādvala (greensward). The calves are tied where the grass is best. Even the bound creature is bound at the spot of greatest comfort — a small Vraja signature of how Kṛṣṇa's associates handle the dependents in their care.
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śikyāni
—
their lunch-bags
Plural of śikya — the small swinging bag/basket each boy carries. The Bhāgavatam's detail-density: it names the bag, not just 'food.' Gauḍīyas treasure such concreteness because Vraja-līlā is meditated not as concept but as scene.
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bubhujuḥ
—
they enjoyed eating
Perfect of √bhuj. The same root family as bhakta. Gauḍīyas hear in every bubhujuḥ a small reminder that all bhoga in Vraja is shared with the Lord — to eat with Kṛṣṇa is the prefiguration of prasāda.
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bhagavatā
—
with the Supreme Personality of Godhead
Instrumental of Bhagavān. The boys eat samam — equally, side by side — with Bhagavān. The sakhya-rasa miracle: aiśvarya so completely concealed that the cowherd boys feel no awe, only friendship.
Sadvale means "in a field full of green grass." They confined the calves to the green fields. This means they were led to the fields but because of greed for that grass, they would not go anywhere else.
The boys praised his proposal (tathā iti). Keeping the calves in the grassy field they ate in the grassy field. The word śādvale is used with both verbs for later it will be said śādvale jemana: they had a meal on the grass. Or they ate near the grassy field since they needed to make plates for eating as well. Most of the place was sandy. The grassy field was full of soft dūrvā. They had brought their bundles from home in the morning. Previous to entering Agha’s stomach they had hung their packets on trees so that they could play comfortably. Now they opened the packets. Or, they entered Agha’s stomach with their packets, but by the Lord’s power, their lunches did not get affected.
- What ordinary meal today could I take as if Kṛṣṇa were sitting at the table?
- Who could I invite to share food in a way that makes it kṛṣṇa-prasāda by mood, even before mantra?
Like a host who unties his own horse before sitting to dine, the boys first see to the calves' water and tether, then untie their own lunch-bags — sevā precedes bhoga in Vraja, even among children.
My note
Source: vedabase.io