Shloka 51
Garga Muni Names Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma; the Butter-Thief Pastimes; Yaśodā Sees the Universe in Kṛṣṇa’s Mouth
ततो भक्तिर्भगवति पुत्रीभूते जनार्दने । दम्पत्योर्नितरामासीद् गोपगोपीषु भारत ॥ ५१ ॥
tato bhaktir bhagavati putrī-bhūte janārdane dampatyor nitarām āsīd gopa-gopīṣu bhārata
Kemudian, wahai Parīkṣit yang terbaik dalam keturunan Bhārata, apabila Janārdana Bhagavān menjadi putera Nanda dan Yaśodā, bhakti mereka dalam rasa keibubapaan menjadi teguh tanpa putus; dan melalui pergaulan itu, para gopa dan gopī di Vṛndāvana turut memupuk kṛṣṇa-bhakti.
Although when the Supreme Personality of Godhead stole the butter, curd and milk of the neighboring gopas and gopīs, this teasing superficially seemed troublesome, in fact it was an exchange of affection in the ecstasy of devotional service. The more the gopas and gopīs exchanged feelings with the Lord, the more their devotional service increased. Sometimes we may superficially see that a devotee is in difficulty because of being engaged in devotional service, but the fact is different. When a devotee suffers for Kṛṣṇa, that suffering is transcendental enjoyment. Unless one becomes a devotee, this cannot be understood. When Kṛṣṇa exhibited His childhood pastimes, not only did Nanda Mahārāja and Yaśodā increase their devotional affection, but those in their association also increased in devotional service. In other words, persons who follow the activities of Vṛndāvana will also develop devotional service in the highest perfection.
FAQs
This verse states that when the Supreme Lord Janārdana appeared as their son, Nanda and Yaśodā’s devotion became extremely intense, and the same devotional mood spread among the gopas and gopīs.
Śukadeva emphasizes that the child of Vraja is not ordinary—He is Janārdana, the Supreme Lord—yet He accepts a familial role, deepening the devotees’ love and intimacy.
By serving the Lord with protective, caring affection—through daily worship, offering food, and heartfelt prayer—one can cultivate intimate devotion while remembering God’s sweetness and nearness.