Shloka 16
Nanda Mahārāja Celebrates Kṛṣṇa’s Birth; Vasudeva Warns of Danger
नन्दो महामनास्तेभ्यो वासोऽलङ्कारगोधनम् । सूतमागधवन्दिभ्यो येऽन्ये विद्योपजीविन: ॥ १५ ॥ तैस्तै: कामैरदीनात्मा यथोचितमपूजयत् । विष्णोराराधनार्थाय स्वपुत्रस्योदयाय च ॥ १६ ॥
nando mahā-manās tebhyo vāso ’laṅkāra-go-dhanam sūta-māgadha-vandibhyo ye ’nye vidyopajīvinaḥ
మహామనస్కుడైన నందుడు గోపులకు వస్త్రాలు, ఆభరణాలు, గోవులను దానంగా ఇచ్చాడు. సూతులు, మాగధులు, వందీలు మరియు ఇతర విద్యాజీవులను వారి అర్హతకు తగినట్లు కోరిన దానాలతో సంతృప్తిపరిచాడు—విష్ణు ఆరాధనకూ, తన కుమారుని శ్రేయస్సుకూ।
Although it has become fashionable to speak of daridra-nārāyaṇa, the words viṣṇor ārādhanārthāya do not mean that all the people satisfied by Nanda Mahārāja in this great ceremony were Viṣṇus. They were not daridra, nor were they Nārāyaṇa. Rather, they were devotees of Nārāyaṇa, and by their educational qualifications they would satisfy Nārāyaṇa. Therefore, satisfying them was an indirect way of satisfying Lord Viṣṇu. Mad-bhakta-pūjābhyadhikā ( Bhāg. 11.19.21). The Lord says, “Worshiping My devotees is better than worshiping Me directly.” The varṇāśrama system is entirely meant for viṣṇu-ārādhana, worship of Lord Viṣṇu. Varṇāśramācāravatā puruṣeṇa paraḥ pumān/ viṣṇur ārādhyate ( Viṣṇu Purāṇa 3.8.9). The ultimate goal of life is to please Lord Viṣṇu, the Supreme Lord. The uncivilized man or materialistic person, however, does not know this aim of life. Na te viduḥ svārtha-gatiṁ hi viṣṇum ( Bhāg. 7.5.31 ). One’s real self-interest lies in satisfying Lord Viṣṇu. Not satisfying Lord Viṣṇu but instead attempting to become happy through material adjustments ( bahir-artha-māninaḥ ) is the wrong way for happiness. Because Viṣṇu is the root of everything, if Viṣṇu is pleased, everyone is pleased; in particular, one’s children and family members become happy in all respects. Nanda Mahārāja wanted to see his newborn child happy. That was his purpose. Therefore he wanted to satisfy Lord Viṣṇu, and to satisfy Lord Viṣṇu it was necessary to satisfy His devotees, such as the learned brāhmaṇas, māgadhas and sūtas. Thus, in a roundabout way, ultimately it was Lord Viṣṇu who was to be satisfied.
FAQs
In Canto 10, Chapter 5, Nanda Mahārāja honors guests and learned bards with gifts like garments, ornaments, cows, and wealth, treating such charity as part of worship of Lord Viṣṇu and as an act seeking auspiciousness for his child.
Because the birth ceremony drew many who praised and recited auspicious words; Nanda respectfully rewarded them according to custom, and the verse states he did so for Viṣṇu’s worship and for his son’s prosperity.
It teaches offering generosity and proper respect to people—especially those engaged in learning and sacred speech—while keeping devotion central, turning celebrations into occasions for worship, gratitude, and charitable giving.