Devanagari
मन्ये कृष्णं च रामं च प्राप्ताविह सुरोत्तमौ ।
सुराणां महदर्थाय गर्गस्य वचनं यथा ॥ २३ ॥
Verse text
manye kṛṣṇaṁ ca rāmaṁ ca
prāptāv iha surottamau
surāṇāṁ mahad-arthāya
gargasya vacanaṁ yathā
Synonyms
manye
—
I think
;
kṛṣṇam
—
Kṛṣṇa
;
ca
—
and
;
rāmam
—
Balarāma
;
ca
—
and
;
prāptau
—
obtained
;
iha
—
on this planet
;
sura
—
of demigods
;
uttamau
—
two of the most elevated
;
surāṇām
—
of the demigods
;
mahat
—
great
;
arthāya
—
for a purpose
;
gargasya
—
of the sage Garga
;
vacanam
—
the statement
;
yathā
—
as .
Translation
In my opinion, Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma must be two exalted demigods who have come to this planet to fulfill some great mission of the demigods. Such was foretold by Garga Ṛṣi.
Translation (Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura)
In my opinion, Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma must be two exalted demigods who have come to this planet to fulfill some great mission of the demigods. Such was foretold by Garga Ṛṣi.
KB 10.46.23
“We think, therefore, that Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma may be chief demigods in heaven who have appeared before us like ordinary boys to execute particular duties on earth. This was foretold by Garga Muni when making Kṛṣṇa’s horoscope.
Purport (Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura)
By the sudden recollection of Krsna as the Lord, in contrast to his natural production of affection in separation, Nanda speaks with a sense of discrimination. "These two sons have appeared in my house (iha) by the good fortune of myself and Vasudeva, for the welfare of the devatas (suranam arthaya), such as killing Kamsa and other demons. This is according to the profound words of Garga."
Purport (Jiva Goswami)
Nanda again recollects Kṛṣṇa’s powers, hoping to cover his sweetness, since he fears that if he suddenly manifests his sweet form and strengthens his heart, it will be a cause of suffering because of the affection arising from thinking of him as a son. Or he speaks of his powers with a desire to glory him as a natural result of special affection arising from separation. That is described in four verses. I think that the two boys are some great persons equal to Nārāyaṇa, who have made an appearance of being born in my house (iha). This statement is an expression of Nanda’s natural and internal affection for Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma as his sons.
Purport (Sanatana Goswami)
Overcome with pain, he considers that the cause of his pain is his affection, thinking of Kṛṣṇa as his son. In order to pacify his heart, he covers that conception of Kṛṣṇa as his son. Or he speaks in misery, thinking that he should be ignored because of his low position and Kṛṣṇa’s high position. The two words ca indicate equal importance of Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma. Both of them are most merciful and affectionate to their friends. But we are not worthy of being recognized. Having come to the material world (iha prāptau) they are Hari and Hara, Vāsudeva and Saṅkarṣaṇa, or the two outstanding members of the caturvyūha for benefiting the devatās by relieving the burden of the earth. Should they not give benefit to us mortals as well?
Or among devatās they are the best devatās (sūrānām surottamau). They have appeared in this world to benefit the devotees (mahad-arthāya)—the Yadus, not us devotees. This is a statement of extreme misery. Or he made us happy by his pastimes but, by giving us up, has produced the opposite result. He must be some devatā with some other mission.
Garga has said:
tasmān nandātmajo ’yaṁ te nārāyaṇa-samo guṇaiḥ
śriyā kīrtyānubhāvena gopāyasva samāhitaḥ
In conclusion, therefore, O Nanda Mahārāja, this child of yours is as good as Nārāyaṇa by his qualities, opulence, fame and influence. You should protect this child very carefully. SB 10.8.19
The two have come to Vraja to help the devatās by killing Pūtana. They did not come to give us happiness, for by giving us up they have created great suffering. The previous happiness is just pain because of the extreme suffering.