Shloka 43
Pūtanā-mokṣa — The Witch Pūtanā’s Attempt and Kṛṣṇa’s Deliverance
नन्द: स्वपुत्रमादाय प्रेत्यागतमुदारधी: । मूर्ध्न्युपाघ्राय परमां मुदं लेभे कुरूद्वह ॥ ४३ ॥
nandaḥ sva-putram ādāya pretyāgatam udāra-dhīḥ mūrdhny upāghrāya paramāṁ mudaṁ lebhe kurūdvaha
Wahai Parīkṣit, yang terbaik antara Kuru! Nanda Mahārāja yang berhati mulia dan sederhana segera mendakap puteranya di pangkuan, seolah-olah kembali dari maut. Lalu beliau mencium kepala anak itu dengan penuh kasih dan menikmati kebahagiaan rohani yang tertinggi.
Nanda Mahārāja could not understand how the inhabitants of his house had allowed Pūtanā to enter the house, nor could he imagine the gravity of the situation. He did not understand that Kṛṣṇa had wanted to kill Pūtanā and that His pastimes were performed by Yoga-māyā. Nanda Mahārāja simply thought that someone had entered his house and created havoc. This was Nanda Mahārāja’s simplicity.
FAQs
This verse shows Nanda’s vātsalya-bhakti: embracing Kṛṣṇa, smelling His head, and feeling supreme joy when Kṛṣṇa is saved from Pūtanā’s deadly attack.
Śukadeva is narrating directly to King Parīkṣit, honoring him as the foremost of the Kuru dynasty while describing Nanda’s relief and happiness after Kṛṣṇa’s deliverance.
Cultivate loving, protective devotion toward God—serving with heartfelt care, gratitude, and remembrance—like a parent’s affection, especially during fear or crisis.