Shloka 38
Pūtanā-mokṣa — The Witch Pūtanā’s Attempt and Kṛṣṇa’s Deliverance
पद्भ्यां भक्तहृदिस्थाभ्यां वन्द्याभ्यां लोकवन्दितै: । अङ्गं यस्या: समाक्रम्य भगवानपितत् स्तनम् ॥ ३७ ॥ यातुधान्यपि सा स्वर्गमवाप जननीगतिम् । कृष्णभुक्तस्तनक्षीरा: किमु गावोऽनुमातर: ॥ ३८ ॥
padbhyāṁ bhakta-hṛdi-sthābhyāṁ vandyābhyāṁ loka-vanditaiḥ aṅgaṁ yasyāḥ samākramya bhagavān api tat-stanam
清浄な भक्तの心髄に住し、梵天やシヴァらに礼拝される至上主クリシュナは、プータナーの身を御足で踏み、その乳房を吸われた。大いなる魔女であっても、彼女は超越界で母の位を得て最高の成就に至った。ましてや、クリシュナが喜んで乳を吸い、母の愛で歓びつつ乳を捧げた牝牛たちは、どれほど祝福されていることか。
These verses explain how devotional service rendered to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, whether directly or indirectly, knowingly or unknowingly, becomes successful. Pūtanā was neither a devotee nor a nondevotee; she was actually a demoniac witch instructed by Kaṁsa to kill Kṛṣṇa. Nonetheless, in the beginning she assumed the form of a very beautiful woman and approached Kṛṣṇa exactly like an affectionate mother, so that mother Yaśodā and Rohiṇī did not doubt her sincerity. The Lord took all this into consideration, and thus she was automatically promoted to a position like that of mother Yaśodā. As explained by Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura, there are various roles one may play in such a position. Pūtanā was immediately promoted to Vaikuṇṭhaloka, which is also sometimes described as Svarga. The Svarga mentioned in this verse is not the material heavenly planet, but the transcendental world. In Vaikuṇṭhaloka, Pūtanā attained the position of a nurse ( dhātry-ucitām ), as described by Uddhava. Pūtanā was elevated to the position of a nurse and maidservant in Goloka Vṛndāvana to assist mother Yaśodā.
FAQs
This verse states that Kṛṣṇa’s feet are “situated in the hearts of devotees,” indicating His intimate presence and protection for those who remember and worship Him with devotion.
In the narrative of Canto 10 Chapter 6, Pūtanā came to kill the infant Kṛṣṇa by offering poisoned milk, but Kṛṣṇa accepted the act in such a way that He removed both the milk and her life-air, turning the demon’s attack into His divine pastime.
It teaches that sincere devotion brings the Lord close to one’s heart, and that Kṛṣṇa’s grace is supremely powerful—even transforming hostile situations into spiritual outcomes.