Though the women were their wives, they regarded them as their gurus, and they criticized themselves since they had no devotion. The bhakti of their wives was impossible to see in ordinary society (alaukikam).

By the power of association with their wives who attained the mercy of the Lord who had said, “Your husbands will not find fault in you” their husbands came to their senses. This verse and the rest of the chapter glorify their wives. After this incident, the husbands, though having pride, became repentant. How could the two Lords beg? They were engaged in spreading human-like pastimes (nṛ-viḍambayoḥ). Or, they laughed at men like us who have no devotion. The brāhmaṇas’ use of the first person (We have ignored their request for food) shows that a trace of false identity remained, or it shows their shame.

By the power of association with their wives who attained the mercy of Lord, their husbands came to their senses. This verse and the rest of the chapter glorify their wives. After this incident (atha) they repented, because the husbands’ crooked attitude was destroyed. Of after the sacrifice was concluded (ata) with accepting the Lord’s remnants, the spiritual effect manifested and they became purified. Or after the Lord had eaten (ataḥ), by his accepting the food they manifested bhakti. Or after the wives came to the sacrifice, by the potency of seeing their wives’, they repented. Examining closely (anusmṛtya) that they had been afflicted with pride, they began to lament (anvatapyan). We have refused the request of not only the avatāra of the Lord but of the avatarī, Kṛṣṇa, (viśveśayoḥ). If they are lords of the universe why did they request food? They spread pastimes which are human-like. Or, they laughed at men like us who have no devotion. The brāhmaṇas’ use of aham (We have ignored their request for food) shows that a trace of false identity remained, or it shows their shame. Or giving up identity as brāhmaṇaṣ they saw themselves as ordinary humans.