Narayana

Maharishi Śuka continued,

“The wicked Kamsa, who was tied by the noose called death, agreed that torturing Vedic scholars was truly the best option. He therefore commanded, ‘Harm all pious persons. Ensure that truthfulness, discipline, righteousness and Yagna, which are like mother roots, are plucked out’.

Having issued these commands, Kamsa returned to his palace. His anxiety however prevented him from sleeping, eating or relaxing. The demons, who are filled with lust, desire and anger that stem from traits of passion (rajas), derive great delight in tormenting others. Their intellect is completely deluded due to spiritual ignorance. As their time of death had neared, these demons gleefully began to torment pious persons through the region.

Āyuḥ śriyaṁ yaśo dharmaṁ lokān āśiṣa eva ca

Hanti śreyāṁsi sarvāṇi puṁso mahad-atikramaḥ

Longevity, wealth, renown, sons and all other forms of prosperity and the ability to attain heavens after death are destroyed in a human being who insults Mahatmas (noble saintly person)”.

With this the fourth chapter of the tenth canto comes to an end.

Tenth Canto Chapter Five

In this chapter, the residents of Gokula celebrate the birth of Krishna.

Maharishi Śuka continued, “Nanda Maharaj, who was broad-minded and large-hearted, was ecstatic at the birth of a son. He bathed, purified himself and dressed elegantly. He immediately invited the learned Vedic Brahmins to recite auspicious Vedic hymns and shower blessings upon his son. He then had the horoscope of his son prepared. He also ensured that due worship was offered to the ancestors and to Devatas.

He gifted two lakh cows, which were completely ornamented, to Vedic Brahmin scholars. He also gifted away mountains of precious stones that were covered with fine golden cloth.

Bathing purifies the body; washing purifies the dirty cloth; purificatory ceremonies purify the pregnancy; senses are purified with penance, Yāgas purify the Brahmin, charity purifies wealth and happiness purifies the mind. Likewise, through Supreme Knowledge the living entity is purified.

At that auspicious moment, Vedic Brahmin scholars who were exponents in Puranas, who glorify the lineage, and who chant auspicious hymns befitting the situation, chanted Vedic hymns. Professional singers sang melodiously. Drums and kettle drums were beaten heralding auspiciousness.

All the residents of Nanda’s cowherd-settlement cleaned the entrances, door-ways and the inner portions of their homes with water and sprinkled scented-waters all over. Colourful flags decorated their homes. Arches made of flower garlands, beautiful clothing and tender mango leaves were hung artistically everywhere. Turmeric mixed in gingelly oil was applied to all cows, buffaloes and calves. The cows were decorated with peacock feathers, colourful clothing, ornaments and golden chains.

The cowherds decked themselves in expensive clothing, headgear and coats. They wore expensive ornaments. Dressed elegantly all of them proceeded to Nanda’s residence holding gifts in their hands.

The wives of these cowherds (Gopikas) were excited that Yashoda had given birth to a boy. They too wore expensive clothing, applied kohl (kajal) to their eyes, decorated themselves with costly ornaments, applied perfumes and sandal paste on their bodies. These beautiful ladies, applied kumkum powder upon their lotus-like faces, which shone like the lotus filament. In great eagerness, they hurried to Yashoda’s house holding gifts.

These Gopikas wore pure gem earrings, chains and necklaces that had gem-studded costly lockets. Colourful bangles adorned their hands and they were draped in costly colourful sarees. As they rushed eagerly to Yashoda’s home, the flowers from their braids loosened and fell causing the roads leading to Nanda’s home to resemble a carpet of flowers. Due to their gem-studded earrings, chains and wristbands they glowed brightly. All of them blessed the infant saying, “May he live long with the Lord’s grace”.

Sprinkling the mixture of oil, turmeric and water upon the infant, they sang loudly and joyously. In this way when the eternal Lord Srihari, who rules over the entire creation, incarnated in Nanda’s settlement, a huge festive celebration commenced. Cowherds played different musical instruments. In great merriment, they joyfully splashed milk, ghee, curd and water upon each other. They applied butter upon one other.

The large-hearted Nanda presented clothes, ornaments, wealth and cows to the cowherd men and women, to the scholars who had mastered the Puranas as well as to the professional singers who glorified the lineage and thus pleased them all. Through this ritual, Nanda worshipped the Supreme Lord. Desiring that his son should be bestowed with prosperity and should be graced abundantly by the Lord, Nanda worshipped them all by gifting to them many valuable objects.

Rohini, mother of Balarama, was a very fortunate lady. Her son was blessed by Nanda and all other cowherds. Wearing expensive clothing and costly ornaments, she was excitedly moving busily engrossed in attending to the festive work.

From the moment of the Lord’s birth, Nanda’s residence had become a repository of all prosperity. It glowed with its inherent goodness and beauty. When Srihari decided to reside there, Gokula became the sporting arena for Mother Goddess Lakshmi.

A few days after the birth of his son, Maharaja Nanda left to Mathura to pay yearly tributes and taxes to King Kamsa after issuing instructing the cowherds to protect their settlement. Vasudeva came to know of his friend Nanda’s arrival into the city. He learnt that Nanda had paid the tribute to King Kamsa. He therefore approached Nanda who, after having rested the bullocks, was resting in a tent. Vasudeva was very dear to Nanda”.

Narayana