A story · Krishna Lilas · Gokula

The Joy of Gokula

Bhagavata Purana 10.5 · read aloud in the app

The story · English

Nanda was filled with immense joy at the birth of his son. After bathing and dressing in clean clothes, he invited the learned Brahmins to perform the birth ceremonies. He had the priests recite the prayers for the child's well-being and conducted the traditional worship of the ancestors and the gods. To express his gratitude, Nanda gave the Brahmins hundreds of thousands of adorned cows, along with seven hills of sesame covered with heaps of jewels and gold-embroidered cloth. The air was filled with the sounds of auspicious chants, the singing of musicians, and the booming echoes of drums and kettledrums, signaling a celebration that would touch every corner of the village.

The entire village of Vraja was transformed into a festival ground. Houses and streets were decorated with colorful flags, banners, and garlands of leaves and flowers. The cows, bulls, and calves were smeared with turmeric and oil, and adorned with golden ornaments and colorful wreaths. The cowherds dressed in their finest attire, wearing embroidered tunics and turbans, and came carrying all kinds of gifts. The women of the village, hearing that Yasoda had given birth to a son, dressed themselves with great care. Using kohl, saffron, and vermilion to brighten their faces, they put on their jewelry and bright clothes, moving toward Nanda's home like a flowing stream of color.

As the women walked, their earrings and necklaces jingled, and they showered the path with flower petals. They blessed the infant child, praying for his long life, while sprinkling turmeric and oil on everyone around them. The celebration for the arrival of Krishna, the infinite Lord of the Universe, was magnificent. The cowherds celebrated with one another, splashing milk, curd, ghee, and water, and throwing butter in their excitement. Nanda, in his generosity, gifted clothing, ornaments, and cattle to the cowherds, to the bards and heralds, and to all others who lived by their learning. He did all this to worship Lord Vishnu and to celebrate the dawn of his son's life. Even Rohini, dressed in divine garments and ornaments, joined in the joy.

Once the festivities settled and Gokula prospered under the influence of Krishna's presence, Nanda appointed guards to protect the village and traveled to Mathura. He went there to pay the annual tribute to King Kansa. When he had paid it, his brother Vasudeva came to see him. Nanda was overcome with emotion upon seeing him; he rose at once, as if his very life had returned to him, and embraced Vasudeva with deep affection. Honoured and seated, Vasudeva asked whether his brother was healthy and well, and then he spoke. He remarked that it was a blessing that Nanda, old and childless, who had given up hope of a child, now had a son.

Vasudeva spoke of the rarity of such a meeting in the cycle of birth and death, comparing the parting of friends to logs carried apart by a river's current. He asked if the forests where Nanda lived were lush with grass and water for the cattle. He also asked if his own son was in Gokula with his mother Rohini, and if the boy regarded Nanda as his own father. Then Nanda grieved for Vasudeva's children by Devaki, many of whom Kansa had killed, while the youngest, a daughter, had also gone to heaven; all people, he said, are ruled by unseen destiny. Vasudeva replied that the tribute was paid and they had seen each other, so Nanda should not stay long in Mathura, for there were ill omens in Gokula. Nanda and his companions took their leave and set out for Gokula in their bullock carts.

कथा · हिन्दी

In this book

• Next: The Slaying of Putana · Bhagavata Purana 10.6
• All of Krishna Lilas · Ask Krishna about it

Sacred Sargam

The sacred texts with their meaning, read aloud, with Ask Krishna, a Panchang and bhajans. Free, on the web and as an app. Open Sacred Sargam