Shloka 1
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
Śukadeva Gosvāmī berkata: Nanda Mahārāja yang berhati besar dilimpahi kegembiraan ketika Śrī Kṛṣṇa menampakkan diri sebagai puteranya. Setelah mandi, menyucikan diri dan berhias dengan wajar, beliau menjemput para brāhmaṇa yang mahir melafazkan mantra Veda; setelah mereka melantunkan himpunan svastyayana yang membawa berkat, beliau mengatur upacara kelahiran (jātakarma) bagi bayi itu menurut tatacara, serta mengadakan pemujaan kepada para dewa dan leluhur.
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
It describes Nanda Mahārāja becoming overwhelmed with joy at Krishna’s birth and properly honoring the occasion by bathing, becoming purified, and calling learned brāhmaṇas for Vedic rites.
To sanctify the birth through authorized Vedic recitations and rites, showing that devotion in Vraja is expressed with reverence, purity, and dharmic tradition.
Mark life’s blessings with cleanliness, prayer, and gratitude—seeking wise guidance and dedicating auspicious moments to God through meaningful, sattvic practices.