Shloka 19
Nanda Mahārāja Celebrates Kṛṣṇa’s Birth; Vasudeva Warns of Danger
गोपान् गोकुलरक्षायां निरूप्य मथुरां गत: । नन्द: कंसस्य वार्षिक्यं करं दातुं कुरूद्वह ॥ १९ ॥
gopān gokula-rakṣāyāṁ nirūpya mathurāṁ gataḥ nandaḥ kaṁsasya vārṣikyaṁ karaṁ dātuṁ kurūdvaha
นندا มหาราชแต่งตั้งชาวโคบาลให้คุ้มครองโคกุล แล้วเดินทางไปมถุรา โอผู้พิทักษ์วงศ์กุรุ เพื่อถวายภาษีประจำปีแก่กังสะ
Because the killing of babies was going on and had already become known, Nanda Mahārāja was very much afraid for his newborn child. Thus he appointed the local cowherd men to protect his home and child. He wanted to go immediately to Mathurā to pay the taxes due and also to offer some presentation for the sake of his newborn son. For the protection of the child, he had worshiped various demigods and forefathers and given charity to everyone’s satisfaction. Similarly, Nanda Mahārāja wanted not only to pay Kaṁsa the yearly taxes but also to offer some presentation so that Kaṁsa too would be satisfied. His only concern was how to protect his transcendental child, Kṛṣṇa.
FAQs
He went to Mathurā to pay Kaṁsa the annual tax/tribute, after first arranging protection for Gokula.
It portrays him as a careful leader who ensures the community’s safety (Gokula-rakṣā) and also fulfills civic obligations like paying the yearly levy.
The verse teaches responsible planning—secure dependents and duties at home first, then attend external obligations with steadiness and integrity.