Shloka 1
Ambikā-vana Śiva-pūjā; Nanda Saved from the Serpent; Śaṅkhacūḍa Slain
श्रीशुक उवाच एकदा देवयात्रायां गोपाला जातकौतुका: । अनोभिरनडुद्युक्तै: प्रययुस्तेऽम्बिकावनम् ॥ १ ॥
śrī-śuka uvāca ekadā deva-yātrāyāṁ gopālā jāta-kautukāḥ anobhir anaḍud-yuktaiḥ prayayus te ’mbikā-vanam
ศรีศุกเทวะกล่าวว่า วันหนึ่งเหล่าคนเลี้ยงโคเกิดความใคร่ไปทำเทวะยาตราเพื่อบูชาพระศิวะ จึงเดินทางด้วยเกวียนเทียมโคไปยังป่าอัมพิกา
According to Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī, the word ekadā here indicates the occasion of Śiva-rātri. He further mentions that Ambikāvana is in Gujarat province, near the city of Siddhapura. Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura adds that the departure of the cowherd men specifically took place on the fourteenth lunar day of the dark fortnight of the month of Phālguna. Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī also quotes authorities who claim that Ambikāvana lies on the bank of the Sarasvatī River, northwest of Mathurā. Ambikāvana is notable because within it are deities of Śrī Śiva and his wife, goddess Umā.
FAQs
This verse shows the Vraja cowherds joyfully undertaking a sacred journey (deva-yātrā), presenting pilgrimage as an act of devotion performed with faith and enthusiasm.
They went as part of a devotional pilgrimage; the chapter’s narrative connects this journey with worship in Ambikā-vana and the events that lead to the deliverance of Nanda Mahārāja.
Approach spiritual practices—pilgrimage, temple visits, or holy-day observances—with sincere eagerness and community spirit, making devotion a joyful, purposeful journey.