SB 10.26.24

They heard the words of Nanda, and through that, the song of Garga, or the verses spoken by Garga. They first worshipped Nanda by bringing sandalwood, perfumes, cloth and ornaments from their houses. Then they worshipped Kṛṣṇa since even Kṛṣṇa gave respect to Nanda as his father. And Kṛṣṇa only returned from the forest in the evening. According to Parāśara, the cowherds asked Kṛṣṇa directly about their doubt. Shy to show his greater knowledge, he replied with affectionate anger. gate śakre tu gopālāḥ kṛṣṇamakliṣṭakāriṇam / ūcuḥ prītyā dhṛtaṁ dṛṣṭvā tena govardhanācalam // vayam asmān mahābhāga bhagavan mahato bhayāt / gāvaś ca bhavatā trātā giri-dhāraṇa-karmaṇā // Bālakrīḍeyam atulā gopālatvaṁ jugupsitam / divyaṁ ca bhavataḥ karma kim etat tāta kathyatām // kālīyo damitas toye dhenuko vinipātitaḥ / dhṛto govardhanaś cāyaṁ śaṅkitāni manāṁsi naḥ // satyaṁ satyaṁ hareḥ pādau śapāmo 'mita vikrama / yathāvad vīryam ālokya na tvāṁ manyāmahe naram // prītiḥ sastrī kumārasya vrajasya tvayi keśava / karma cedam aśakyaṁ yat samas tais tridaśer api // bālatvaṁ cātivīryatvaṁ janma cāsmāsv aśobhanam / cintyamānam ameyātmañchaṅkāṁ kṛṣṇa prayacchati // devo vā dānavo vā tvaṁ yakṣo gandharva eva vā / kim asmākaṁ vicāreṇa bāndhavo 'si namostu te // When Indra had gone, the cowherds, on seeing that Kṛṣṇa had lifted Govardhana Hill, spoke affectionately to Kṛṣṇa who removes all calamity. O Lord, we are most fortunate since you have saved us and the cows from the greatest danger by lifting the hill. Your play as a child is unequalled but being a cowherd is to be condemned. O child! How can your attractive actions be described? You subdued Kāliya in the water and killed Dhenuka. You lifted Govardhana. Now we have doubts in our minds. We swear at the feet of the Lord, O Kṛṣṇa of unlimited prowess! It is true. We cannot consider that you are human on seeing such powers. All of Vraja, including women and children have affection for you, O Keśava! Even the devatās cannot perform such acts. Since you have such powers as a child, it is not proper to stay among us. O unlimited Kṛṣṇa! These thoughts give rise to doubt. Are you a devatā, a demon, a Yakṣa, or a Gandharva? Thinking about this we conclude that you are our friend. We offer respects to you. Viṣṇu Purāṇa 5.13.1-8 kṣaṇaṁ bhūtvā tv asau tūṣṇīṁ kiñcit praṇaya-kopavān / ity evam uktas tair gopaiḥ kṛṣṇo 'py āha mahāmatiḥ // mat-saṁbandhena vo gopā yadi lajjā na jāyate / ślāghyo vāhaṁ tataḥ kiṁ vo vicāreṇa prayojanam // yadi vo 'sti mayi prītiḥ ślāghyo 'haṁ bhavatāṁ yadi / tad-ātma-bandhu-sadṛśī buddhir vaḥ kriyātāṁ mayi // nāhaṁ devo na gāndharvo na yakṣo na ca dānavaḥ / ahaṁ vo bāndhavo jāto naitac cintyamito 'nyathā // When the cowherds spoke in this way, wise Kṛṣṇa was silent for a moment and then spoke with affectionate anger. O cowherds! If you are not ashamed of having a relationship with me, or if I am praiseworthy, then why think about this at all? If you have affection for me and if I am praised by you, you should think of me as the closest friend. I am not a devatā, Gandharva, Yakṣa or demon. I have been born as your friend. You should not think otherwise. Viṣṇu Purāṇa 5,13.9-12 manyante māṁ yathā sarve bhavanto bhīma-vikramāḥ tathāhaṁ nāvamantavyaḥ sajātīyo ‘smi bāndhavaḥ yady ahaṁ bhavatāṁ ślāghyo bāndhavo deva-saprabhaḥ parijñānena kiṁ kāryaṁ yady eṣo ‘nugraho mama All of you, having great prowess, think of me in this way, but I should not be despised. I am your relative and friend. If I am worthy of your praise, as a friend and have powers like a devatā, what is the use of thinking too much about this, if you are merciful to me? Thought they had all doubts removed by the answer of Nanda, they spoke eagerly to him to make this conviction stronger and hear directly from his mouth. Their doubts could not be removed by artificial methods.