Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.18.13
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
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gāyakau-vādakau
—
(the two of Them) singing and playing instruments
Both nouns are dual — Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma are paired as accompanists. The chief deities serve as the band while the friends dance. A doctrinal reversal staged as a casual line.
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śaśaṁsatuḥ
—
the two of Them praised
Dual perfect of √śaṁs — praised. Same verbal root used in stotras directed to Bhagavān. Here He is the one doing the śaṁsana. The grammar quietly enacts the inversion.
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sādhu sādhu iti
—
'very good, very good'
The standard śāstric expression of approval. Spoken by Bhagavān to His friends. Gauḍīyas read this as the prototype of how the Lord answers pure prema — repetition, intensification, no measured response.
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vādinau
—
speaking
Dual present participle of √vad — speakers. Kṛṣṇa is parā-vāk, the source of speech; here He is simply one of two boys saying 'well done' to a friend. The infinite housed inside an idiom.
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mahā-rāja
—
O great King
Vocative to Parīkṣit. The narrator pauses to address the listener precisely at the inversion moment — as if to say: do not miss what just happened, mahā-rāja. The Bhāgavatam's quiet finger-tap.
After getting tired from wrestling, Balarāma and Kṛṣṇa, respected as gurus of the arts, would make songs and praise the dancing of others. While the boys danced, they praised them, saying, “Very good!” They particularly praised the boys’ dance moves. Thus the depth of rasa in their playing has been described. O great king, best among kings because of possessing bhakti for Kṛṣṇa! Therefore you are suitable to hear this. After singing along with dancing, Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma also simply sang.
Previously it was described how the cowherd boys pleased Kṛṣṇa. Now Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma pleasing the boys is described. By their own desire (svayam) they sang and played instruments while the boys danced. This shows the pleasure in playing. Or great king! You are best among kings because of your excellent devotion. Therefore you deserve to hear about the Lord’s most astonishing affection for the boys.
- Whose devotional dance could I genuinely praise this week with a heartfelt 'very good'?
- Where am I withholding cheer because I'm focused on my own performance?
Bhagavān praises the boys — 'sādhu sādhu' — for their dancing. The Lord who is the goal of all praise becomes the one applauding. This is what svarūpa-śakti does: it lets Him be a fan in His own pastime.
My note
Source: vedabase.io