Though he was an offender (saḥ) his offerings were accepted by the Lord. He bathed Govinda who was naturally the lord of the cows and Gokula. By doing this he did not attain eminence, but produced benefit for the world and himself. His benefit is described. He took permission from Govinda. Previously he was almost rejected because he was an offender but now he was surrounded by devatās who accepted him. He then went to Svarga. His pastime was discussed in Vraja later by his friends since they understood by the special features of the place and his dress, or saw from far off while hiding. The phrase go-gokula-patiṁ govindam abhiṣicya means that in joy and astonishment, Indra understood that Kṛṣṇa was the master of cows and Gokula and was also his master. Padma Purāṇa says that Nanda, Yaśodā and others came there also. gopa-vṛddhāś ca gopyaś ca dṛṣṭvā tatra śatakratum tena saṁpūjitāś caiva praharṣam atulaṁ yayuḥ The elder cowherds and women saw Indra. Being worshipped by him, they attained the highest bliss. Padma Purāṇa But since verse 2 of this chapter says that Indra met Kṛṣṇa in a solitary place, the Padma Purāṇa description is from another kalpa.

In the manner described (iti) Indra bathed Kṛṣṇa, the master of cows and everyone in Gokula. Or he bathed him as Govinda because he was master of the cows and Gokula. Though the word Gokula includes the cows, the cows are mentioned separately to indicate their importance. They are thus mentioned first. Or he is known as Govinda because as master of the cows (gokula-patim) he knows (vinda) the cows (go). Because the name Govinda is especially related to the abhiṣeka, it hints at the relationship with Indra. Though he was an offender, he wanted to leave quickly out of and thus took permission. Surrounded by the devatās and sages (devādibhiḥ) he left for Svarga. Surabhi however remained there in association of her offspring the cows, since Mathurā and Vraja are one with Goloka, her place. Their non-difference is explained in Bhāgavatāmṛta. Or ādibhiḥ can included Surabhi. Though she did not want to go, she is not mentioned directly or separately as going, out of respect. The assistants of the Lord, the cowherds were not present at this time. Verse 2 of this chapter says that Indra met Kṛṣṇa in a solitary place. Thus they did not know about this event. Because the cowherds did not speak about it, it was not well known in Vraja. Nowhere else is it mentioned. Or verse 18 mentions that Surabhi came with her offspring and verse 19 mentions “we” meaning other cows. Thus though they came and saw Indra at the festival they considered it astonishing to see the greatness of the Lord. Or it is said: gopa-vṛddhāś ca gopyaś ca dṛṣṭvā tatra śatakratum tena saṁpūjitāś caiva praharṣam atulaṁ yayuḥ The elder cowherds and women saw Indra. Being worshipped by him, they attained the highest bliss. Padma Purāṇa In that case because Nanda and Yaśodā did not come there, the others did not speak about it in Vraja. Thus end the purports of the humble servants of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda to the Tenth Canto, Twenty-seventh Chapter, of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, entitled "Lord Indra and Mother Surabhi Offer Prayers." 10.28: Kṛṣṇa Rescues Nanda Mahārāja from the Abode of Varuṇa verses: Summary, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 Chapter Summary This chapter describes how Lord Kṛṣṇa brought Nanda Mahārāja back from the abode of Varuṇa and how the cowherd men saw Vaikuṇṭha. The king of the cowherds, Nanda Mahārāja, observed the prescribed fast on the eleventh day of the lunar month and then considered how to break his fast properly on the twelfth day. By circumstance only a few more minutes remained, and so he decided to take his bath at the very end of the night, although astrologically that was an inauspicious time. Thus he entered the water of the Yamunā. A servant of Varuṇa, the demigod of the ocean, noticed Nanda Mahārāja entering the water at a time forbidden by scripture and took him away to the demigod's abode. In the early morning the cowherd men unsuccessfully searched for Nanda, but Lord Kṛṣṇa immediately understood the situation and went to see Varuṇa. Varuṇa worshiped Kṛṣṇa with great and variegated festivity. Afterwards he begged the Lord to forgive his servant for having foolishly arrested the king of the cowherds. Nanda was amazed to see the influence Śrī Kṛṣṇa exerted in the court of Varuṇadeva, and after returning home he described his experiences to his friends and relatives. They all thought Kṛṣṇa must be the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself and wanted to see His supreme abode. Thereupon the omniscient Personality of Godhead arranged for them to bathe in the same lake where Akrūra would have his vision of the Absolute Truth. There the Lord revealed to them Brahmaloka, which is realized by great sages in their mystic trance.