śrī-śuka uvāca
vaco niśamya kṛpaṇaḿ
bandhūnāḿ bhagavān hariḥ
nimīlayata mā bhaiṣṭa
locanānīty abhāṣata
sri-sukah uvaca -- Sri Sukadeva Gosvami said; vacah -- the words; nisamya -- hearing; kripanam -- pitiful; bandhunam -- of His friends; bhagavan -- the Supreme Personality of Godhead; harih -- Hari; nimilayata -- just close; ma bhaishta -- do not be afraid; locanani -- your eyes; iti -- thus; abhashata -- He spoke.
Sukadeva Gosvami said: Hearing these pitiful words from His friends, the Supreme Lord Krishna told them, "Just close your eyes and do not be afraid."
This verse clearly reveals the simple, sublime relationship between Krishna and His pure devotees. The Absolute Truth, the supreme almighty Lord, is actually a young, blissful cowherd boy named Krishna. God is youthful, and His mentality is playful. When He saw that His beloved friends were terrified of the forest fire, He simply told them to close their eyes and not be afraid. Then Lord Krishna acted, as described in the next verse.
