Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.34.19
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
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vaibhavam
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opulent display of power
Vi-√bhū → vaibhava: manifested glory, opulence. Distinct from svarūpa (intrinsic form): vaibhava is the glory as expressed in the world. Gauḍīyas note the cowherds see only one slice of Kṛṣṇa's vaibhava — Bhagavān keeps most of His glory hidden inside Vraja's vātsalya.
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vraja-okasaḥ
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the inhabitants of Vraja
Vraja (cowherd-pasture village) + okas (dweller, from √uc). Not just neighbors — Vrajavāsīs are the most fortunate jīvas in the universe, the elect of vātsalya- and mādhurya-bhāva. Gauḍīyas pray daily for the dust of their feet.
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vismita-cetasaḥ
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with astonished minds
Vismita (astonished) + cetas (consciousness, mind). Vraja's natural posture before Kṛṣṇa is repeated astonishment — even after years with Him, every līlā lands fresh. Gauḍīyas read this as the protective forgetfulness (yogamāyā) that keeps Vraja-rasa from ossifying into doctrine.
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kathayantaḥ ādṛtāḥ
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describing with reverence
Kathayantaḥ (telling) + ādṛtāḥ (respectfully). The verse models hari-kathā as the right after-action of any encounter with Bhagavān. The next pastime begins on the trail home: Kṛṣṇa-kathā is itself part of the līlā.
They were astonished at the powers of Kṛṣṇa’s svarūpa (ātma-vaibhavam) because of seeing a mortal (Kṛṣṇa) give to the snake the form of a Vidyādhara. They were astonished because they were people of Vraja. Though they constantly saw such acts in Kṛṣṇa, because of their extreme prema, they could not imagine him having such powers. Completing the vows associated with the Śiva temple they departed.
They heard the glories of Kṛṣnā’s svarūpa or the glory of their extraordinary relative (ātma-vaibhavan) from Sudarśana. Or their heard their own glorification. Since they considered themselves as belonging to the Lord, they were all regarded as his relatives. Hearing those glories they were astonished. Or they were astonished at what Sudarśana had said since they could not make sense of it, being confused by intense prema as people of Vraja (vrajaukasaḥ). Or though hearing, they were not astonished (avismita-cetasaḥ) since they had many times experienced his great powers. Then, after Sudarśana left, after completing the vows of staying there for three days in the forest they broke their fast and returned to Vraja. Śukadeva calls to Parīkṣit in joy “O king!” Or just as you protect the people, they protected all people on hearing this story. Ṭhis forest was seventy krośas north of Mathura on the bank of the Gaṅgā according to Śukadeva’s description. This was southeast of Vraja. Or according to some, out of bhāva Śukadeva considered himself living in Vraja. They came from Gujarat to Vraja. Vaibhavam can also mean “not before experienced events.” Respected by Kṛṣṇa or Nanda (ādṛtāḥ) they came to Vraja. Or with great respect, having increased their bhakti (tataḥ), they came there.
- What spiritual experiences are you keeping to yourself instead of recounting?
- Whom on your 'way home' could you tell about Kṛṣṇa's mercy?
The Vrajavāsīs finish the Śiva-worship, return home telling and retelling 'Kṛṣṇa's deed' — like guests at a festival who, walking back at dawn, can speak of nothing but the host. Pilgrimage to other devas becomes pilgrimage to Kṛṣṇa-kathā, because the road back to Vraja is paved with His glories.
My note
Source: vedabase.io