loka - the people; nivārite - to check; haila - there were; tina - three; maṇḍala - circles; prathama-maṇḍale - in the first circle; nityānanda - Lord Nityānanda; mahā-bala - of great strength.

Just to check the crowds from coming too near the Lord, the devotees formed three circles. The first circle was guided by Nityānanda Prabhu, who is Balarāma Himself, the possessor of great strength.