The fifteenth chapter describes herding the cows, Krsna’s praise of Balarama, Krsna’s playing with his friends, the killing of Dhenukasura, and protecting the cows from the poison of Kaliya. After playing until the end of their fifth year, Krsna and Balarama were permitted to herd the grown cows. The first day of herding these cows is described in the kartika mahatmya of the Padma Purana: "On the eighth tithi of the waxing moon of Kartika montha called gopastami by the learned, Krsna began to herd the cows." Previously he was herding only the calves. They decorated the land of Vraja with their footprints, which had the marks of flag and other auspicious symbols. This made Vrndavana extremely beautiful (punyam). Previously, since Krsna’s feet were very small and soft, the impressions of the flag and other symbols were very faint. However, now the twenty-one marks were very clear. This is indicated by the word ativa (extremely). These marks made Vrndavana more beautiful than ever.

After playing in the fifth year (tataḥ) then paugaṇḍa age began. The word ca stands for tu, indicating a new subject matter. The activities continued in Vraja alone, since it was most attractive. Kṛṣṇa for a long time had the desire to herd the cows along with Balarāma in order perform pastimes in Vṛndāvana in a complete way. Out of affection Nanda would not permit this on seeing Kṛṣṇa’s young age. Now, when he was older and strong, Nanda gave his permission for the two to herd the cows (paśu-pāla-sammatau). The phrase also means that they were expert at doing this. For instance the phrase “approved by the wise” means “expert.” Or the phrase can meant that the two boys were permitted to take the cows and their calves (pāla). Though the calves were no longer taking their mothers’ milk, they could not bear separation from Kṛṣṇa and they followed their mothers to the forest. The bulls also followed, even though attempts were made to stop them. They came near Kṛṣṇa, and would not go without him to the forest. The two boys went together because of strong bonds of affection in order to play together. They went with their friends. Previously they were not allowed to herd the cows. The older cowherds personally did this. This is understood from SB 10.13.34 in the phrase tataḥ pravayaso gopās tokāśleṣa-sunirvṛtāḥ: thereafter the elderly cowherd men obtained great bliss from embracing their sons. Previously Nanda himself herded the cows since his son was too young and it was his occupation. Wanting his association, other elder cowherds joined him. Now when Kṛṣṇa began herding the cows, boys of similar age who were suitable went with him. This happened on the eighth tithi of the waxing moon on Kārtika month. It is stated in the Kārtika-māhātmya section of the Padma Purāṇa: śuklāṣṭamī kārttike tu smṛtā gopāṣṭamī budhaiḥ tad-dinād vāsudevo ’bhūd gopaḥ pūrvaṁ tu vatsapaḥ The eighth lunar day of the bright fortnight of the month of Kārtika is known by authorities as Gopāṣṭamī. From that day, Kṛṣṇa served as a cowherd, whereas previously he had tended the calves. I n serving the cows, the boys did not wear shoes, as this was the custom of the cowherds. Therefore his footprints appeared on the earth, which produced piety or beauty in Vṛndāvana. By moving everywhere, more than before the land became beautiful (atīva).

Tataḥ is an ornament of speech, or it indicates there was no delay in performing other pastimes after herding the calves. The word ca stands for tu, indicating a new subject matter. The two boys were served (śritau) by the age beginning with six years, paugaṇḍa, suitable for revealing more rasa than the previous age. The pastimes of paugaṇḍa age took place in Vraja and nowhere else. Mention of the word Vraja indicates the great auspiciousness and sweetness of that place. That should be understood when the word Vraja is mentioned later in the text as well. For a long time Kṛṣna with Balarama had desired to herd the cows as well as the calves in order to play in the forest of Vṛndāvana. Now herding cows was approved (paśu-pālana-sammatau). Seeing the young age of their children Nanda and others had not permitted it out of their affection for the children. Now they permitted it when the boys showed more strength and were older. Or they were permitted by all the cowherds (paśu-pālana) or they were permitted by all the cows (paśu) and the cowherds (pāla). Thus they herded the cows (gāś cārayantau). The calves went with their mothers, since they could not give up associating with Kṛṣṇa, and were also attached to their mothers though no longer drinking their milk. The bulls also followed after Kṛṣṇa. They all tried to approach Kṛṣṇa, even though restrained by others. Without Kṛṣṇa they would not go to the forest. Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma went together because they were non-different from each other by great affection. The word paśu-pālana also indicates that buffaloes and other animals also went. He went with his friends (sakhibhiḥ saha). That means they all desired to herd the cows at this time. That means those who were previously herding the cows now ceased from herding the cows. Kṛṣṇa began herding cows on the Kārttika śukla āṣṭamī śuklāṣṭamī kārttike tu smṛtā gopāṣṭamī budhaiḥ tad-dinād vāsudevo ’bhūd gopaḥ pūrvaṁ tu vatsapaḥ The eighth lunar day of the bright fortnight of the month of Kārtika is known by authorities as Gopāṣṭamī. From that day, Kṛṣṇa served as a cowherd, whereas previously he had tended the calves. He did not wear shoes in order to give mercy to the earth which suffered and cried for his appearance. He also did not wear shoes in order to reveal beauty (puṇyam) by the extraordinary marks of thunderbolt, ankuśa etc. Though Vṛndāvana was naturally beauty, it now became even more beautiful because of those marks (atīva) appearing everywhere. Or it became more beautiful than Vaikuṇṭha.