58 Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead

perform the purificatory process. We belong to the twice-born caste, and I
am taking this opportunity of your presence. So please perform the name-
giving ceremony without external pomp.” Nanda Maharaja wanted to
keep the name-giving ceremony a secret and yet take advantage of
Gargamuni’s_ performing the ceremony.

When Gargamuni was so eagerly requested by Nanda Maharaja, he
performed the name-giving ceremony as secretly as possible in the cowshed
of Nanda Maharaja. He informed Nanda Maharaja that Balarama, the son
of Rohini, would be very pleasing to his family members and relatives and
therefore would be called Rama. In the future He would be extraordinarily
strong and therefore would be called Balarama. Gargamuni said further,
“Because your family and the family of the Yadus are so intimately con-
nected and attracted, therefore His name will also be Sankarsana.” This
means that Gargamuni awarded three names to the son of Rohini—namely
Balarama, Sankarsana, and Baladeva. But he carefully did not disclose the
fact that Balarama also appeared in the womb of Devaki and was subse-
quently transferred to the womb of Rohini. Krsna and Balarama are real
brothers, being originally sons of Devaki.

Gargamuni then informed Nanda Maharaja, “As far as the other boy is
concerned, this child has taken different bodily complexions in different
yugas (millennia). First of all He assumed the color white, then He assumed
the color red, then the color yellow and now He has assumed the color
black. Besides that, He was formerly the son of Vasudeva; therefore His
name should be Vasudeva as well as Krsna. Some people will call Him
Krsna, and some will call Him Vasudeva. But one thing you must know:
This son has had many, many other names and activities due to His
different pastimes.”

Gargamuni gave Nanda Maharaja a further hint that his son will also be
called Giridhari because ef His uncommon pastimes of lifting Goverdhana
Hill. Since he could understand everything past and future, he said, “I
know everything about His activities and name, but others do not know.
This child will be very pleasing to all the cowherd men and cows. Being
very popular in Vrndavana, He will be the cause of all good fortune for
you. Because of His presence, you will overcome all kinds of material
calamities, despite opposing elements.”

Gargamuni continued to say, “My dear King of Vraja, in His previous
births, this child many times protected righteous persons from the hands of
rogues and thieves whenever there was political disruption. Your child is
so powerful that anyone who will become a devotee of your boy will never
be troubled by enemies. Just as demigods are always protected by Lord
