tam -- that; apatantam -- setting upon them; paritah -- on all sides; dava-agnim -- the forest fire; gopah -- the cowherd boys; ca -- and; gavah -- the cows; prasamikshya -- intensely watching; bhitah -- afraid; ucuh -- they addressed; ca -- and; krishnam -- Lord Krishna; sa-balam -- and Lord Balarama; prapannah -- taking shelter; yatha -- as; harim -- the Supreme Personality of Godhead; mrityu -- of death; bhaya -- by fear; arditah -- troubled; janah -- persons.

As the cows and cowherd boys stared at the forest fire attacking them on all sides, they became fearful. The boys then approached Krishna and Balarama for shelter, just as those who are disturbed by fear of death approach the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The boys addressed Them as follows.