Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.34.4
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
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yata-vratāḥ
—
those who have controlled (their senses by) vows
Yata (controlled) + vrata (vow). The cowherds are not casual pilgrims — they fast on water, lie on the ground, and keep silence. Gauḍīya sādhana likewise insists vidhi disciplines the body so rāga can flower undisturbed.
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mahā-bhāgāḥ
—
the greatly fortunate ones
Mahā-bhāga = of great fortune, having Bhagavān's bhāga (portion). The cowherds of Vraja are mahā-bhāga not because they are wealthy but because Kṛṣṇa calls one of them father. Gauḍīyas read this title as Vraja's highest title of nobility.
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nanda-sunandaka-ādayaḥ
—
Nanda, Sunanda, and the others
Sunanda is Nanda's younger brother; the ādi (and so on) sweeps in the council of elder Vrajavāsīs. The verse names Nanda first because the whole chapter pivots on his crisis — Śuka is already aiming the camera.
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jalam prāśya
—
subsisting on water
Prāśya (having consumed) from pra-√aś. A standard Ekādaśī-style vrata: nirjala or jala-mātra fast. Even the lord of Vraja keeps vidhi-mārga discipline — bhakti does not abolish dharma, it fulfills it.
Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī explains that Sunanda is the younger brother of Nanda Mahārāja.
Sunanda was Nanda’s younger brother. Ka indicates his younger age. Sipping water and observing vows they resided on the bank of the river that night.
They drank only water because they had taken a vow (yata-vratāḥ) since it was Śiva-rātri. Sunanda, the younger brother of Nanda is mentioned since he was one of the leading figures. This means that the older brother Upananda remained in Vraja to protect it since he was older in knowledge and years.
They drank only water because they had taken a vow (yata-vratāḥ), because it was Śiva’s place or because of the journey to the place. They were greatly fortunate, or were to attain some fortune. Worship of Śiva is proper since he is a devotee of the Lord. Sunanda was the younger brother of Nanda. This means that the older brother Upananda remained in Vraja to protect it and give advice. There other elders there also. The majority were elders and thus they are described. The boys and Kṛṣṇa did not fast since young boys are not fond of vows.
Nanda and the elders pass the night on the Sarasvatī's bank, taking only water — keeping vrata as carefully as a sentry holds his post. Bhakti rides on a chassis of discipline; even Vraja's most beloved father observes the brāhmaṇa-set vow before the līlā unfolds.
My note
Source: vedabase.io