Devanagari
इति सञ्चिन्त्य भगवान् महाकारुणिको हरि:
दर्शयामास लोकं स्वं गोपानां तमस: परम् ॥ १४ ॥
Verse text
iti saṣcintya bhagavān
mahā-kāruṇiko hariḥ
darśayām āsa lokaṁ svaṁ
gopānāṁ tamasaḥ param
Synonyms
iti
—
in these words
;
saṣcintya
—
considering to Himself
;
bhagavān
—
the Supreme Personality of Godhead
;
mahā
—
kāruṇikaḥ — the most merciful
;
hariḥ
—
Lord Hari
;
darśayām āsa
—
showed
;
lokam
—
the planet, Vaikuṇṭha
;
svam
—
His own
;
gopānām
—
to the cowherd men
;
tamasaḥ
—
material darkness
;
param
—
beyond .
Translation
Thus deeply considering the situation, the all-merciful Supreme Personality of Godhead Hari revealed to the cowherd men His abode, which is beyond material darkness.
Translation (Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura)
Thus deeply considering the situation, the all-merciful Supreme Personality of Godhead Hari revealed to the cowherd men His abode, which is beyond material darkness.
Purport
It is clear from this verse that the Absolute Truth dwells in His own eternal abode. Everyone of us tries to live as comfortably as possible, surrounding ourselves with peace and beauty. How can we, in the name of “logic,” begrudge the Supreme Lord, our creator, the supremely beautiful and comfortable abode known by people in general as the kingdom of God?
Purport (Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura)
Thinking (sancintya) "I will show the superiority of Vrndavana by giving them realization of Brahman and Vaikuntha," he showed them Brahman (svam) and vaikunthan (lokam). Separating the cowherd men from Vrndavana for a few moments, he showed them Brahman and Vaikuntha. He did this because he was most merciful. That is, he wanted to show them that the sweetness of Vrndavana was superior to Brahman and Vaikuntha.
However, if they achieved Brahman realization with sayujya or merging, then it would be impossible for them to come out of it. How would it be possible for them to taste again the sweetness of Vrndavana? Because the lord is vibhu (all powerful), he could do take them out of sayujya mukti and Vaikuntha, which are both beyohd matter (tamasah param).
Purport (Jiva Goswami)
He showed them his abode, Goloka. Manifestation of material transformation is rejected: the place was beyond prakṛti (tamasaḥ param). Tamasaḥ refers to prakṛti as in kvāhaṁ tamo-mahad-ahaṁ-kha-carāgni-vār-bhū-saṁveṣṭitāṇḍa-ghaṭa-sapta-vitasti-kāyaḥ: what am I, a small creature measuring seven spans of my own hand, enclosed in a pot-like universe composed of material nature, the total material energy, false ego, ether, air, fire, water and earth? (SB 10.14.11) Instead of hariḥ the word vibhuḥ is also seen. Vibhuḥ indicates the eternal nature of his powers.
Purport (Sanatana Goswami)
He though, or considered or decided in this way (iti), being the Lord, and also because he was most merciful. There was no other reasons than great mercy. He showed his form (svaṁ lokam) to the cowherds. It was beyond ignorance. Because he was full of all powers (bhagavān), this was easy. He was all-pervading. Even Brahman is dependent on him.
Or he showed them his form because he is directly the supreme Lord (bhagavān) and particularly shows great mercy (mahā-kāruṇikaḥ). He was the master of the cowherds, controlled by their prema. This was also the cause of his thinking or deciding.
(The next section discusses the last three verses of the chapter, to explain svaṁ lokam in this verse.)
(verse 15)
He showed a place superior to the material world of Brahmā. The phrases are arranged according to greater cause being later. Hi means “because of” or “certainly.” The word yat excluded that they saw the Lord.
(verse 16)
The word ca means certainly. Being raised up by Kṛṣṇa, they saw their svarūpas (Brahman). They were completely absorbed (magnāḥ) in this. With Kṛṣṇa as his object (yatra), Akrura had realized Brahman previously. This means that brahman is included within Kṛṣṇa, being his aṁśa. This incident shows the Lord’s mercy, power and pervasion in regards to devotees.
(verse 17)
Seeing Kṛṣṇa the form of eternity, knowledge and bliss, , like the sun with its mass of rays, in the planet of Brahman, there was no doubt. He was praised by the Vedas.
According to the interpretation of the request—for brahman or the Lord—these verses can be taken either way: as showing Brahman (svam lokam=svarūpam) or showing Vaikuṇṭha (his planet, svam lokam). Or he showed the planet of the cowherds (gopānām), Goloka. Because it was beyond prakṛti, it must be Vaikuṇṭha or Goloka.