॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥
Saturday, 1 April 2023 - X a.05 - The celebrations in Nanda's kingdom heralding Sri Krishna's birth. The meeting between Nanda and Vasudeva in Mathura.
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This short chapter beautifully introduces the happiness that dawned in Nanda's kingdom of Vraja Gokula immediately after the birth of Sri Krishna. Nanda and his people were supremely delighted with the birth of this child. Nanda celebrated with all the auspicious rituals, inviting and honouring great Brahmins and giving generous gifts, and conducting feasts and festivals.
Trust sage Vyasa to add this beautiful line of wisdom too:
कालेन स्नानशौचाभ्यां संस्कारैस्तपसेज्यया ।
शुध्यन्ति दानैः सन्तुष्ट्या द्रव्याण्यात्माऽऽत्मविद्यया ॥
T: The change ushered in the kingdom on Sri Krishna's arrival was like the change of seasons that cleanse the land. With time, especially in good times, possessions improve and there is economic development.
By bathing and other hygienic activities, people cleanse themselves. Similarly, by conducting the auspicious rituals, the child's birth is sanctified.
By doing Tapas, one cleanses the mind and senses. By worship and charity (Yajna and Daana), one's wealth is sanctified by offering gifts to worthy Brahmins. The mind attains peace when there is a sense of contentment and fulfilment. This was the mood in Gokula.
Finally, let us remember, only by attaining the lotus feet of Bhagavan, by self-realisation, the Jiva is truly blessed.
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Here are three verses that describe the glorious celebrations in Gokula. It also introduces the beautiful Gopis.
गोप्यः सुमृष्टमणिकुण्डलनिष्ककण्ठ्यश्चित्राम्बराः पथि शिखाच्युतमाल्यवर्षाः ।
नन्दालयं सवलया व्रजतीर्विरेजुर्व्यालोलकुण्डलपयोधरहारशोभाः ॥
ता आशिषः प्रयुञ्जानाश्चिरं पाहीति बालके । हरिद्राचूर्णतैलाद्भिः सिञ्चन्त्योऽजनमुज्जगुः ॥
अवाद्यन्त विचित्राणि वादित्राणि महोत्सवे । कृष्णे विश्वेश्वरेऽनन्ते नन्दस्य व्रजमागते ॥
T: The Gopis, sporting lovely ornaments including brilliant bejewelled earrings, lovely necklaces, delightful bangles, and beautiful flowers in their hair, looked simply lovely. As they came to Nanda's palace, their flowers were strewn as showers on the way. The Gopis were very beautiful with lovely figures.
Offering blessings to the newborn child, Bhagavan Sri Krishna, the Gopis, who were the wives and daughters of the cowherd men, said, “May You become the King of Vraja and long maintain all its inhabitants.” They sprinkled a mixture of turmeric powder, oil and water upon the child, little knowing that he was the birthless Supreme Lord Himself, and offered their prayers to Ishwara.
Now the all-pervading, Parama Purusha Bhagavan, the master of the cosmic manifestation, had arrived within the kingdom of King Nanda. The celebrations were accentuated by the playing of various types of musical instruments.
तत आरभ्य नन्दस्य व्रजः सर्वसमृद्धिमान् । हरेर्निवासात्मगुणै रमाक्रीडमभून्नृप ॥
T: Sri Krishna's birth heralded prosperity in Nanda Gokula. With Bhagavan, it was as if Devi Lakshmi had smiled on the land and its people, with great munificence.
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After some time, concluding the celebrations, Nanda entrusted the region to his trusted lieutenants and went to Mathura to pay the collective taxes to Kamsa. This was a serious activity. But he also took the opportunity to go and meet Vasudeva.
Their meeting was pregnant with feeling. Vasudeva knew that Bhagavan had started his Avatara in Nanda's home. His other son Balarama had been born to Rohini who also lived in Nanda Gokula. He enquired joyously about everyone's well-being. Nanda was very affectionate, too. He commiserated with Vasudeva for the loss of his seven children. Six were killed by Kamsa. Of course, Nanda mentioned that he had come to know how the seventh one, the female one, escaped to heaven. Thus, Devaki and Vasudeva were childless in his view.
His sympathies were most sincere, just as was Vasudeva's own inner sense of concern for Nanda since his two sons now in Gokula were the targets of Kamsa. He advised Nanda to leave Mathura, the city of Kamsa, and return quickly to Vraja Gokula to take care of his people.
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॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥
