The cowherd men, made diligent by Krsna (adrta), offered to the brahmanas and govardhana (giridvijan) the items meant for the worship of Indra (balin). They offered grass to the cows (gavam). Putting the cows before them, the circumambulated Govardhana.

Their actions are described. Hari-vaṁśa gives the details. ānanda-janano ghoṣo mahāmudhita-gokulaḥ tūrya-praṇāda-ghoṣaś ca vṛṣabhāṇāṁ ca garjitaiḥ haṁva-ravaiś ca vatsānām gopānām harṣa-vardhanaḥ dadhno hradaḥ sarāvartaḥ payaḥ kulyā samākulaḥ Gokula was filled with great joy and shouts generating bliss. Instruments blared and bulls and calves roared. The cowherds were joyful. There were lakes of yogurt, whirlpools of cream and rivers of milk. Kṛṣṇa is called the killer of the demon named Madhu to show his great ability and the cowherds’ lack of fear of Indra. Another meaning is that Kṛṣṇa, like the bee, enjoys sweet like honey. Thus he started the sacrifice for his dear servant and then consumed the offerings. They did exactly as Kṛṣṇa, said but in these verses the details are not mentioned. Use of the past particle ādhṛtāḥ (respected) to express the active verb (they respected) is poetic license.

Their actions are described. Hari-vaṁśa gives the details. ānanda-janano ghoṣo mahāmudhita-gokulaḥ tūrya-praṇāda-ghoṣaś ca vṛṣabhāṇāṁ ca garjitaiḥ haṁva-ravaiś ca vatsānām gopānām harṣa-vardhanaḥ dadhno hradaḥ sarāvartaḥ payaḥ kulyā samākulaḥ Gokula was filled with great joy and shouts generating bliss. Instruments blared and bulls and calves roared. The cowherds were joyful. There were lakes of yogurt, whirlpools of cream and rivers of milk. Kṛṣṇa is called the killer of the demon named Madhu to show his great ability and the cowherds’ lack of fear of Indra. Another meaning is that Kṛṣṇa, like the bee, enjoys sweetness, like honey. Thus he started the sacrifice for his dear servant and then consumed the offerings. They made an offering using the items mentioned by Kṛṣṇa, first meant for Indra’s sacrifice and also additional items such as all the milk produces and cooked items. They offered to the mountain. It is mentioned first since that was the main object of the sacrifice. Govardhana is not mentioned by name out of respect. They did this according to Kṛṣṇa’s instructions previously mentioned. They offered (upahṛtya) with great faith, according to the rules (samyak) in front of the mountain (upa). Or they offered while being completely praised or respected by the Lord (samyag ādṛtāḥ). Or they were respected by Kṛṣṇa who assumed a huge form on top of Govardhana. Details are also given in Hari-vaṁśa. adya prabhṛti cejyo ‘haṁ goṣu ced asti vo dayā ahaṁ vaḥ prathamo devaḥ sarva-kāmakaraḥ śubhaḥ mama prabhāvāt ca gavām amṛtāny eva bhakṣyatha śivaś ca vo bhaviṣyāmi mad bhaktānām vane vane ramṣye ‘haṁ saha yuṣmābhir yathā divi gatas tathā ye ceme prathitā gopā nanda-gopa-purogamāḥ eṣām prītaḥ prayacchāmi gopānāṁ vipulaṁ dhanam paryāpnuvantu viprā māṁ gāvo vatsa-samākulāḥ evaṁ mama parā prītir bhaviṣyati na saṁśayaḥ If you are merciful to the cows, then from today you should worship me. I am your first devatā. I fulfill all desires and am most auspicious. By my power, you drink the nectar of the cows. I will be auspicious for you, my devotees in all the forests. I will enjoy with you just as I do in the spiritual world. Being pleased with all the celebrated cowherds headed by Nanda, I will give you great wealth. The brāhmaṇas and cows along with the calves should circumambulate me. I will be most satisfied with this, without doubt.