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
اے کوروؤں کے سردار پریکشت! سادہ دل اور فیاض نند مہاراج نے اپنے بیٹے کو گود میں اٹھا لیا، گویا وہ موت سے لوٹ آیا ہو۔ پھر محبت سے اس کے سر کو سونگھ کر اس نے پرمانند، یعنی روحانی سرور، پایا۔
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.