Shloka 2
Nanda’s Captivity by Varuṇa and the Revelation of the Spiritual World
Brahma-hrada
तं गृहीत्वानयद् भृत्यो वरुणस्यासुरोऽन्तिकम् । अवज्ञायासुरीं वेलां प्रविष्टमुदकं निशि ॥ २ ॥
taṁ gṛhītvānayad bhṛtyo varuṇasyāsuro ’ntikam avajñāyāsurīṁ velāṁ praviṣṭam udakaṁ niśi
Because Nanda Mahārāja entered the water in the darkness of night, disregarding the inauspicious time, a demoniac servant of Varuṇa seized him and brought him before his master.
Nanda Mahārāja was intent on breaking his fast during the Dvādaśī day, of which there remained only a few minutes. Thus he entered the water to bathe at an inauspicious time, before the first dawn light.
FAQs
Because he entered the water at night, disregarding an asuric time-restriction, and Varuṇa’s servant seized him and brought him to Varuṇa.
It refers to an “asuric” or improper restriction of time—here, the rule that one should not enter the water at night—used as the stated reason for detaining Nanda.
Even when mistakes or technical lapses occur, a devotee should take shelter of the Lord’s protection; devotion and surrender are ultimately stronger than fear and anxiety.