My dear brother Nanda Mahārāja, at an advanced age you had no son at all and were hopeless of having one. Therefore, that you now have a son is a sign of great fortune.

TRANSLATION

Nanda Mahārāja gave two million cows, completely decorated with cloth and jewels, in charity to the brāhmaṇas. He also gave them seven hills of grain, covered with jewels and with cloth decorated with golden embroidery.

COMMENTARY

niyuta means twenty times one hundred thousand or two million.

 

tilādrīn: mountain of Śeṣame seeds; The Bhaviṣya-uttara Purāṇa describes this as follows: first class tilādrī is ten drones, second class tilādrī is five drones and third class tilādrī is three dronas. 256 palas make one drona and 4 tolas make one pala. Thus in one drona there are 1024 tolas.

 

|| 10.5.4 ||

kālena snāna-śaucābhyāṁ saṁskārais tapasejyayā

śudhyanti dānaiḥ santuṣṭyā dravyāṇy ātmātma-vidyayā

TRANSLATION

O King, by the passing of time, land and other material possessions are purified; by bathing, the body is purified; and by being cleansed, unclean things are purified. By purificatory ceremonies, birth is purified; by austerity, the senses are purified; and by worship and charity offered to the brāhmaṇas, material possessions are purified. By satisfaction, the mind is purified; and by self-realization, or Kṛṣṇa consciousness, the soul is purified.

COMMENTARY

The traditional methods of purification of the new born child are here listed using the literary device of dipika alankara (listing many things to make an idea clear). Articles are purified by time and other means. Time purifies roads and bathing ghatas; bathing purifies the body; scrubbing purifies things touched by contami-nating substances; Vedic saṁskāras purify birth; austerity purifies the senses; yajñas purify brāhmaṇas: charity purifies wealth; satisfaction purifies the mind, and self-realization purifies the soul.

 

|| 10.5.5 ||

saumaṅgalya-giro viprāḥ sūta-māgadha-vandinaḥ

gāyakāś ca jagur nedur bheryo dundubhayo muhuḥ

TRANSLATION

The brāhmaṇas recited auspicious Vedic hymns, which purified the environment by their vibration. The experts in reciting old histories like the Purāṇas, the experts in reciting the histories of royal families, and general reciters all chanted, while singers sang and many kinds of musical instruments, like bherīs and dundubhis, played in accompaniment.

COMMENTARY

saumaṅgalya-giro: most auspicious singing; The brāhmaṇas, who had the power to invoke auspiciousness, gave blessings. The Sūtas and others sang. A Sūta is a professional reciter of the old histories; a Māgadha praises the histories of royal dynasties, and a Vandi sings prayers according to the situation.

 

|| 10.5.6 ||

vrajaḥ sammṛṣṭa-saṁsikta-dvārājira-gṛhāntaraḥ

citra-dhvaja-patākā-srak-caila-pallava-toraṇaiḥ

TRANSLATION

Vrajapura, the residence of Nanda Mahārāja, was fully decorated with varieties of festoons and flags, and in different places, gates were made with varieties of flower garlands, pieces of cloth, and mango leaves. The courtyards, the gates near the roads, and everything within the rooms of the houses were perfectly swept and washed with water.

COMMENTARY

The doors, yards and interiors of the houses of Vraja were first scrubbed, and then sprinkled with sandalwood and flower-scented water. The doors were decorated with colorful flags, and three types of gates made from garlands, cloth and leaves.

 

|| 10.5.7 ||

gāvo vṛṣā vatsatarā haridrā-taila-rūṣitāḥ

vicitra-dhātu-barhasrag-vastra-kāñcana-mālinaḥ

TRANSLATION

The cows, the bulls and the calves were thoroughly smeared with a mixture of turmeric and oil, mixed with varieties of minerals. Their heads were bedecked with peacock feathers, and they were garlanded and covered with cloth and golden ornaments.

COMMENTARY

ruṣitāḥ: means anointed with.

 

|| 10.5.8 ||

mahārha-vastrābharaṇa-kañcukoṣṇīṣa-bhūṣitāḥ

gopāḥ samāyayū rājan nānopāyana-pāṇayaḥ

TRANSLATION

O King Parīkṣit, the cowherd men dressed very opulently with valuable ornaments and garments such as coats and turbans. Decorated in this way and carrying various presentations in their hands, they approached the house of Nanda Mahārāja.

 

|| 10.5.9 ||

gopyaś cākarṇya muditā yaśodāyāḥ sutodbhavam

ātmānaṁ bhūṣayāṁ cakrur vastrākalpāñjanādibhiḥ

TRANSLATION

The gopī wives of the cowherd men were very pleased to hear that mother Yaśodā had given birth to a son, and they began to decorate themselves very nicely with proper dresses, ornaments, black ointment for the eyes, and so on.

COMMENTARY

gopyaś: refers chiefly to the sisters-in-law of Yaśodā, as well as others.

 

|| 10.5.10 ||

nava-kuṅkuma-kiñjalka-mukha-paṅkaja-bhūtayaḥ

balibhis tvaritaṁ jagmuḥ pṛthu-śroṇyaś calat-kucāḥ

TRANSLATION

Their lotuslike faces extraordinarily beautiful, being decorated with saffron and newly grown kuṅkuma, the wives of the cowherd men hurried to the house of mother Yaśodā with presentations in their hands. Because of natural beauty, the wives had full hips and full breasts, which moved as they hurried along.

COMMENTARY

The lotus faces of the gopīs were splendid with new kuṅkuma powder.

 

balibhih: indicates putting gold coins, jewel necklaces, expensive cloth, fruits such as coconut, rice, durva grass, sandalwood and garlands on a gold tray covered with a golden cloth, and holding it in the left hand. Though the Vrajagopīs had heavy hips, they moved quickly because of joy and enthusiasm to see baby Kṛṣṇa.

 

|| 10.5.11 ||

gopyaḥ sumṛṣṭa-maṇi-kuṇḍala-niṣka-kaṇṭhyaś

citrāmbarāḥ pathi śikhā-cyuta-mālya-varṣāḥ

nandālayaṁ sa-valayā vrajatīr virejur

vyālola-kuṇḍala-payodhara-hāra-śobhāḥ

TRANSLATION

In the ears of the gopīs were brilliantly polished jeweled earrings, and from their necks hung metal lockets. Their hands were decorated with bangles, their dresses were of varied colors, and from their hair, flowers fell onto the street like showers. Thus while going to the house of Mahārāja Nanda, the gopīs, their earrings, breasts and garlands moving, were brilliantly beautiful.

COMMENTARY

Though the beauty of the gopīs has been described already, because of their great devotion, and because he felt somewhat unsatisfied with that description alone, Śukadeva elaborates further.

 

śikhā: refers to the gopīs’ tied up hair. vrajatīh: means while going.

 

|| 10.5.12 ||

tā āśiṣaḥ prayuñjānāś ciraṁ pāhīti bālake

haridrā-cūrṇa-tailādbhiḥ siñcantyo ’janam ujjaguḥ

TRANSLATION

Offering blessings to the newborn child, Kṛṣṇa, 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 birthless Supreme Lord and offered their prayers.

COMMENTARY

Entering the maternity ward, the Vraja-gopīs said, “May You protect us.” This means that, Kṛṣṇa, who is the son of the king, should protect them when He assumes the throne. Another reading; Out of parental affection the gopīs offered Kṛṣṇa a blessing saying, ciran jīva, “May You live a long life.” Then going outside, the elderly gopīs celebrated Kṛṣṇa’s birth by singing loudly, and sprinkling each other with a mixture of oil, water and turmeric.

 

|| 10.5.13 ||

avādyanta vicitrāṇi vāditrāṇi mahotsave

kṛṣṇe viśveśvare ’nante nandasya vrajam āgate

TRANSLATION

Now that the all-pervading, unlimited Lord Kṛṣṇa, the master of the cosmic manifestation, had arrived within the estate of Mahārāja Nanda, various types of musical instruments resounded to celebrate the great festival.

COMMENTARY

viśveśvare: lord of the universe. Because the Supreme Lord of the cosmic manifestation had appeared, musical instruments resounded throughout the three worlds: Svarga, earth and hell. anante: unlimi-ted. Because Kṛṣṇa is unlimited, unlimited musical instruments began to sound.

 

|| 10.5.14 ||

gopāḥ parasparaṁ hṛṣṭā dadhi-kṣīra-ghṛtāmbubhiḥ

āsiñcanto vilimpanto navanītaiś ca cikṣipuḥ

TRANSLATION

In gladness, the cowherd men enjoyed the great festival by splashing one another’s bodies with a mixture of curd, condensed milk, butter and water. They threw butter on one another and smeared it on one another’s bodies.

COMMENTARY

cikṣipuḥ: throw. In a joking mood the gopas energetically threw milk, yogurt, ghee and water on each other. Cikṣipuḥ can mean the cowherd men began to fall on the slippery earth, since kṣip means moving the feet as well as the hands.

 

|| 10.5.15-16 ||

nando mahā-manās tebhyo vāso ’laṅkāra-go-dhanam

sūta-māgadha-vandibhyo ye ’nye vidyopajīvinaḥ

tais taiḥ kāmair adīnātmā yathocitam apūjayat

viṣṇor ārādhanārthāya sva-putrasyodayāya ca

TRANSLATION

The great-minded Mahārāja Nanda gave clothing, ornaments and cows in charity to the cowherd men in order to please Lord Viṣṇu, and thus he improved the condition of his own son in all respects. He distributed charity to the sūtas, the māgadhas, the vandīs, and men of all other professions, according to their educational qualifications, and satisfied everyone’s desires.

COMMENTARY

mahāmanaḥ: means very generous. Nanda Mahārāja, who was very charitable, gave lavishly to all in attendance. vidyopajīvinaḥ: educated professionals; refers to those who made a living by dancing, singing and playing instruments, teaching scriptures and the use of weapons. tais taiḥ kāmaih: means whatever was desired or asked. Nanda Mahārāja gave suitably according to the level of one’s knowledge and reputation. Since all in attendance were devotees of Viṣṇu, Nanda Mahārāja gave them charity in order to please Lord Viṣṇu, and thereby bring happiness and auspiciousness to his newborn child.

 

Nanda Mahārāja thought, “May Viṣṇu be pleased by this charity, and by His pleasure my son will be blessed.”

 

|| 10.5.17 ||

rohiṇī ca mahā-bhāgā nanda-gopābhinanditā

vyacarad divya-vāsa-srak-kaṇṭhābharaṇa-bhūṣitā

TRANSLATION

The most fortunate Rohiṇī, the mother of Baladeva, was honored by Nanda Mahārāja and Yaśodā, and thus she also dressed gorgeously and decorated herself with a necklace, a garland and other ornaments. She was busy wandering here and there to receive the women who were guests at the festival.

COMMENTARY

mahā bhāgā: most fortunate; Rohiṇī is addressed as most fortunate, because among all of Vasudeva’s wives, she alone attained the opportunity to see Kṛṣṇa’s childhood pastimes. nanda gopā: means Nandarāja, for the word gopa also means king according to the Amara-kośa dictionary. Go means earth, as well as cow. Gopa means protector of the earth. abhinanditā: honored; This means that Nanda praised Rohiṇī saying, “because of your coming here, my child was born.” Vyacarat indicates that Rohiṇī went around giving proper respect to the assembled women. Rohiṇī was decorated with beautiful clothing and ornaments given by Nanda and Yaśodā. Absorbed in the bliss of celebrating Kṛṣṇa’s birth, Rohiṇī forgot about her separation from her husband and her sorrow over her husband’s condition in prison.

 

|| 10.5.18 ||

tata ārabhya nandasya vrajaḥ sarva-samṛddhimān

harer nivāsātma-guṇai ramākrīḍam abhūn nṛpa

TRANSLATION

O Mahārāja Parīkṣit, the home of Nanda Mahārāja is eternally the abode of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and His transcendental qualities and is therefore always naturally endowed with the opulence of all wealth. Yet beginning from Lord Kṛṣṇa’s appearance there, it became the place for the pastimes of the goddess of fortune.

COMMENTARY

It is impossible for even Kuvera to satisfy everyone’s desires. How then was it possible for Nanda Mahārāja to accomplish this? This verse answers the question. Vraja, which is Kṛṣṇa’s eternal place of residence, always increases in Kṛṣṇa’s qualities by its very nature. This started from the birth of Kṛṣṇa, tata ārabhya. Kṛṣṇa’s home in Nandagrama became the place of pastimes for all wealth. If all wealth began to play in Nanda’s house, how was it possible that anything was lacking to give in charity?

 

|| 10.5.19 ||

gopān gokula-rakṣāyāṁ nirūpya mathurāṁ gataḥ

nandaḥ kaṁsasya vārṣikyaṁ karaṁ dātuṁ kurūdvaha

TRANSLATION

Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: Thereafter, my dear King Parīkṣit, O best protector of the Kuru dynasty, Nanda Mahārāja appointed the local cowherd men to protect Gokula and then went to Mathurā to pay the yearly taxes to King Kaṁsa.

COMMENTARY

Many days after the birth of the great treasure known as his son, Nanda began to think, “In all good fortune there are many impediments.” First Nanda Mahārāja satisfied the demigods, forefathers and planets with worship. Then he immediately left for Mathurā with gifts of gold coins, jewels and cloth to give to the evil king Kaṁsa as yearly tax to please him.

 

|| 10.5.20 ||

vasudeva upaśrutya bhrātaraṁ nandam āgatam

jñātvā datta-karaṁ rājñe yayau tad-avamocanam

TRANSLATION

When Vasudeva heard that Nanda Mahārāja, his very dear friend and brother, had come to Mathurā and already paid the taxes to Kaṁsa, he went to Nanda Mahārāja’s residence.

COMMENTARY

King Devamīḍha of the Yadu clan (Yadavas) had two wives, one of a kṣatriya family, the other of a vaiśya family. Through the kṣatriya wife he bore a son named Sura and through the vaiśya wife he bore a son named Parjanya. Sura had a son named Vasudeva, a kṣatriya, and Parjanya had a son named Nanda, a cowherd or vaiśya.

 

Thus Vasudeva and Nanda were brothers or cousins, with the same grandfather (a Yadava) and different grandmother. Nanda was therefore a Yadava. In Skanda Purāṇa, Kṛṣṇa says, “I lifted Govardhana for the benefit of the Yadavas (Nanda and others).” Kṛṣṇa told His brother Baladeva, “Among all the Yadavas (those living in Mathurā and Vraja), you are the most dear.”

 

tad avamocanam: loosen the clothes; This phrase means the place where Nanda was residing.

 

|| 10.5.21 ||

taṁ dṛṣṭvā sahasotthāya dehaḥ prāṇam ivāgatam

prītaḥ priyatamaṁ dorbhyāṁ sasvaje prema-vihvalaḥ

TRANSLATION

When Nanda Mahārāja heard that Vasudeva had come, he was overwhelmed with love and affection, being as pleased as if his body had regained its life. Seeing Vasudeva suddenly present, he got up and embraced him with both arms.

COMMENTARY

When Nanda saw Vasudeva, he embraced him (sasvaje), but did not pay obeisances because he was elder to Vasudeva.

 

|| 10.5.22 ||

pūjitaḥ sukham āsīnaḥ pṛṣṭvānāmayam ādṛtaḥ

prāsakta-dhīḥ svātmajayor idam āha viśāmpate

TRANSLATION

O Mahārāja Parīkṣit, having thus been received and welcomed by Nanda Mahārāja with honor, Vasudeva sat down very peacefully and inquired about his own two sons because of intense love for them.

COMMENTARY

Vasudeva spoke after being welcomed by Nanda.

 

|| 10.5.23 ||

diṣṭyā bhrātaḥ pravayasa idānīm aprajasya te

prajāśāyā nivṛttasya prajā yat samapadyata

TRANSLATION