Shloka 2
Nanda Mahārāja Celebrates Kṛṣṇa’s Birth; Vasudeva Warns of Danger
श्रीशुक उवाच नन्दस्त्वात्मज उत्पन्ने जाताह्लादो महामना: । आहूय विप्रान् वेदज्ञान्स्नात: शुचिरलङ्कृत: ॥ १ ॥ वाचयित्वा स्वस्त्ययनं जातकर्मात्मजस्य वै । कारयामास विधिवत् पितृदेवार्चनं तथा ॥ २ ॥
śrī-śuka uvāca nandas tv ātmaja utpanne jātāhlādo mahā-manāḥ āhūya viprān veda-jñān snātaḥ śucir alaṅkṛtaḥ
シュカデーヴァ・ゴースヴァーミーは語った。寛大なるナンダ・マハーラージャは、主シュリー・クリシュナがわが子として顕れたとき、歓喜に満たされた。沐浴して身を清め、相応に装って、ヴェーダ真言に通じたブラーフマナたちを招き、吉祥なるスヴァスティヤヤナの讃歌を誦させたのち、新生児のために規定どおりジャータカルマの儀礼を執り行い、さらに諸デーヴァと祖霊への礼拝も整えた。
Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura has discussed the significance of the words nandas tu. The word tu, he says, is not used to fulfill the sentence, because without tu the sentence is complete. Therefore the word tu is used for a different purpose. Although Kṛṣṇa appeared as the son of Devakī, Devakī and Vasudeva did not enjoy the jāta-karma, the festival of the birth ceremony. Instead, this ceremony was enjoyed by Nanda Mahārāja, as stated here ( nandas tv ātmaja utpanne jātāhlādo mahā-manāḥ ). When Nanda Mahārāja met Vasudeva, Vasudeva could not disclose, “Your son Kṛṣṇa is actually my son. You are His father in a different way, spiritually.” Because of fear of Kaṁsa, Vasudeva could not observe the festival for Kṛṣṇa’s birth. Nanda Mahārāja, however, took full advantage of this opportunity.
FAQs
In Canto 10, Chapter 5, Nanda Mahārāja arranges the prescribed birth-rites (jātakarma) for his newborn son with Vedic recitations and proper worship, showing dharmic celebration of the Lord’s appearance.
Because he wished to sanctify the birth with Vedic auspicious invocations (svastyayana) and have the proper rites performed according to injunction, honoring both spiritual tradition and the sacredness of the event.
It teaches to welcome sacred moments with purity, gratitude, and prayer—seeking blessings through authentic spiritual practice and remembering God at life’s milestones.