Nārada departed. Though he was Bhagavān, Kṛṣṇa herded the cows because he was Govinda. He enjoyed pastimes suitable as king of the Gokula manifested on earth. This sentence continues the narrative before Nārada arrived. Thus it says “after killing Keśī.” The word āhave (in battle) indicates Kṛṣṇa was not injured by others because of his great strength. He herded cows with the cowherd boys who had now lost all fear and were thus pleased (prītaiḥ). All the people of Vraja were happy, following him as he left Vraja for the forest.

Though he was the Lord he continued to herd the cows. Being affectionate to the devotees how could he not keep Nārada, who desired the Lord, there? Though he was the Lord, he continued to hear the cows with the cowherds because he was the lord of Gokula (govindaḥ). Moreover he brought happiness to Vraja continually. In order to accomplish pastimes with them, he could not keep Nārada there. Or he could not keep Nārada there since he worried about his offense to the people of Vraja since he was affectionate to the devotees. Thus he is called Bhagavān and Govinda. He killed Keśī in battle. This indicates his great strength. He herded the cows with the cowherds who were pleased (prītaiḥ) with his killing Keśī. They praised him with various verses. tato gopyaś ca gopāś ca hate keśini vismitāḥ tuṣṭuvuḥ puṇḍarīkākṣam anurāga-manoramam When Keśī was killed, the cowherds and gopīs were astonished. They praised lotus-eyed Kṛṣṇa, attractive with anurāga. Visṇu Purāṇa taṁ hataṁ keśinaṁ dṛṣṭvā gopā gopastriyaś ca tāḥ / babhūvur muditāḥ sarve hatavighnā hataklamāḥ // dāmodaraṁ ca śrīmantam yathāsthānaṁ yathā vayaḥ / abhyanandan priyair vākyaiḥ pūjayantaḥ punaḥ punaḥ // Seeing Keśī dead, the cowherds and their wives were overjoyed. They were free of all obstacles and fatigue. They welcomed beautiful Kṛṣṇa according to age and place with pleasing words and worshipped him again and again. Hari-vaṁśa According to these authors, Keśī was killed within Vraja. Though they praised Kṛṣṇa before Nārada came, they also praised him afterwards. Out of respect for the greatest guru Nārada, Śukadeva places his praises of the Lord first. Or because Nārada was coming, Kṛṣṇa sent the people here and there. Thus they could not utter their praises at that time Or since killing Keśi was not astonishing they did not utter praises distinctly. Kṛṣṇa continued to give bliss to Vraja. He did not develop yet the desire to go to Mathurā though the information had been given by Nārada.