Nanda Maharaja Saved and Sankhacuda Killed

The thirty fourth chapter describes how Krsna delivered his father Nanda from being swallowed by a snake, killing Sankhacuda, the son of Kuvera and taking his crown jewel.

After describing the autumn rasa lila and before describing the holi lila of spring, Sukadeva describes the celebration of Siva ratri. On the caturdasi (waning phase) of phalguna month, the inhabitants of Vraja when to Amibika vana, a forest with Siva and Uma deities on the bank of the Sarasvati river to the northwest of Mathura. Others however say that the place was located at Siddhapura in Gujarat.

Gavah is used for the normal form of feminine plural accusative case gah (cows). Nanda and others gave cows, gold, the remnants of honey from the bathing of Siva, and rice sprinkled with honey to the brahmanas.

4.Sunanda was Nanda’s younger brother. Ka indicates his younger age. Sipping water and observing vows they resided on the bank of the river that night.

Mahan ahih means boa constrictor. The word uraga (snake)as well as ahih (snake) is used to indicate that he slithered into the forest on his chest (uras + ga to go), so that he would be unseen by others.

Nanda began to call out for Krsna, remembering the words of Garga that Krsna would save the inhabitants of Vraja from all dangers.

Hearing his cries, the cowherd men began beating the snake with flaming pieces of firewood (ulmukaih).

Being beaten by the sticks (alataih), the snake still did not let go of Nanda.

Being worshipped by the Vidyadharas indicates that the person freed from offenses by the touch or Krsna’s foot was the best of the Vidyadharas.

Krsna inquired from the vidyadhara in order to show fear of disrespecting the brahmanas to all the pilgrims from various villages who had gathered there. Krsna is addressed as the controller of all the senses (hrsikesa) to indicate that he made the assembled pilgrims listen attentively to the words of the vidyadhara.

How did you get (praptah) this condemned body? It suggests “Who did this?”

I was a well known (sruta) vidyadhara named Sudarsana. I used to move around here and there for amusement (disah acaran) in my airplane.

As a result of my sin (svena papmana) I received birth as a snake by the rsis who I had laughed at (pralabdhaih taih).

Because (yat) of this curse, I have been touched by your foot and been relieved of the curse.

I am praying for the order to go to my own abode (aprcche yace), o destroyer of suffering (amiva han).

O mahayogi! I was a great evil snake devouring your father just now. And now I have attained intelligence and am praising you. How inconceivable is your power of your yoga! O lord of the devotees (sat pati), of nanda and other great persons (mahapurusa), you saved me from the snake body, and you protect your devotees. This is a display of your immeasurable mercy. Know me (anujanihi) to be one of your followers.

Just by seeing you I became liberated from the snake body. What then to speak of receiving the touch of your lotus foot?

If just by chanting your name once a person becomes purified, what should I attain, having seen you and been touched by your foot?

The inhabitants of Vraja were astonished at this and began to discuss among themselves. “Can this boy whom we fondle with affection, who is not peaceful for a moment without us, be the supreme lord? If that is so, then all of us, mothers and fathers, are also great personalities. Blessing to Garga muni, who from the first told us that Krsna is just like Narayana. And we have heard this from the mouth of Varuna and the Vidyadhara.”

After observing the vows of Siva ratri, on the night of the purnima full of moonlight, Balarama and Krsna and other friends, standing amongst the gopis, began to observe holika pastimes.

They respected the beginning of night (nisamukham), fragrant with winds laden with perfume of the water lilies (kumuda vayuna), served by the rising moon and stars and bees maddened by the fragrance of jasmine flowers.

Krsna and Balarama sang together, improvising melodies (svara mandala murchana) making what was impossible possible.

Those gopis who were dear to them fainted on hearing those melodies. Such was their state that clothing fell from their bodies and flowers fell from their hair.

In front of Krsna and balaramas’ eyes, sankhacuda drove away the gopis, who were shouting and crying “O Rama, o Krsna, please protect us.” Frightening them by whirling a big stick, he fled with them to the north. One should understand that he could not actually touch them. In the next verse this is explained (yatha ga).

As cowherds, in order to protect their cows, pursue a person on seeing that he is herded away all their cows, Krsna and Balarama pursued Sankhacuda.

30 Like time, the inspirer, and death, the inspired, Balarama, the inspirer, said, “Kill him quickly!” and Krsna, the inspired, said, “Yes I will kill him.”

Balarama stayed with the gopis, tired from running, comforting and protecting them.

Though he appeared far away, suddenly Krsna appeared close to Sankhachuda, and with his fist decapitated the demon.

In order to prevent each gopi from thinking that she alone should be given the jewel and prevent the rise of envy, Krsna gave the jewel to Balarama. However, later, Balarama gave the jewel to Radha.