Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 12
Akrūra’s Mission: The Departure from Vraja and the Yamunā Vision of Viṣṇu-Ananta
गोपान् समादिशत्सोऽपि गृह्यतां सर्वगोरस: । उपायनानि गृह्णीध्वं युज्यन्तां शकटानि च ॥ ११ ॥ यास्याम: श्वो मधुपुरीं दास्यामो नृपते रसान् । द्रक्ष्याम: सुमहत्पर्व यान्ति जानपदा: किल । एवमाघोषयत् क्षत्रा नन्दगोप: स्वगोकुले ॥ १२ ॥
gopān samādiśat so ’pi gṛhyatāṁ sarva-go-rasaḥ upāyanāni gṛhṇīdhvaṁ yujyantāṁ śakaṭāni ca
Nanda Mahārāja then issued orders to the cowherd men by having the village constable make the following announcement throughout Nanda’s domain of Vraja: “Go collect all the available milk products. Bring valuable gifts and yoke your wagons. Tomorrow we shall go to Mathurā, present our milk products to the King and see a very great festival. The residents of all the outlying districts are also going.”
Nanda wanted to bring ghee and other milk products as taxes for the King.
FAQs
Because Vraja’s custom was to travel with wagons and bring abundant dairy offerings (gorasa) as gifts; Nanda planned to present these delicacies to the Mathurā king as part of the journey and festival occasion.
This verse describes Nanda publicly announcing the next day’s departure to Madhupurī (Mathurā) to witness a major festival and to offer gifts—setting the narrative stage for Krishna’s movement from Vraja toward Mathurā.
By preparing for sacred duties with organization and a spirit of offering—bringing one’s best “upāyana” (gifts, service, resources) to God and His devotees, and participating in devotional gatherings with enthusiasm and responsibility.