Shloka 15
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
大心的难陀王为取悦毗湿奴、并使自己的儿子诸事吉祥，向牧人们施舍衣服、饰物与牛群；又按学艺与身份，向苏多、摩伽陀、颂赞者等诸般以学为业之人分施所愿之物，使众皆称心。
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
It describes Nanda Mahārāja’s magnanimous giving—clothes, ornaments, cows, and wealth—to honored guests and learned persons as part of the joyous celebration connected to devotion to Viṣṇu.
They were traditional bards and panegyrists—professional reciters and praisers—who would sing, announce, and glorify auspicious events in royal and village celebrations.
Celebrate sacred occasions by sharing resources—supporting spiritual education, community welfare, and those who preserve and teach sacred knowledge—without miserliness.