Text 3] The Meeting of Nanda Maharaja and Vasudeva 321

PURPORT

Srila Viévanatha Cakravarti Thakura has discussed the significance of
the words nandas tu. The word tu, he says, is not used to fulfill the sen-
tence, because without tu the sentence is complete. Therefore the word tu
is used for a different purpose. Although Krsna appeared as the son of
Devaki, Devaki and Vasudeva did not enjoy the jaéta-karma, the festival
of the birth ceremony. Instead, this ceremony was enjoyed by Nanda
Maharaja, as stated here (nandas tv dtmaja utpanne jatahlado mahé-
manah). When Nanda Maharaja met Vasudeva, Vasudeva could not dis-
close, “Your son Krsna is actually my son. You are His father in a
different way, spiritually.” Because of fear of Karnsa, Vasudeva could
not observe the festival for Krsna’s birth. Nanda Maharaja, however,
took full advantage of this opportunity.

The jdta-karma ceremony can take place when the umbilical cord,
connecting the child and the placenta, is cut. However, since Krsna was
brought by Vasudeva to the house of Nanda Maharaja, where was the
chance for this to happen? In this regard, Visvanatha Cakravarti
Thakura desires to prove with evidence from many Sdstras that Krsna ac-
tually took birth as the son of Yasoda before the birth of Yogamaya, who
is therefore described as the Lord’s younger sister. Even though there
may be doubts about the cutting of the umbilical cord, and even though
it is possible that this was not done, when the Supreme Personality of
Godhead appears, such events are regarded as factual. Krsna appeared as
Varahadeva from the nostril of Brahma, and therefore Brahma is de-
scribed as the father of Varahadeva. Also significant are the words
kaérayam asa vidhivat. Being overwhelmed with jubilation over the birth
of his son, Nanda Maharaja did not see whether the cord was cut or not.
Thus he performed the ceremony very gorgeously. According to the
opinion of some authorities, Krsna was actually born as the son of
Yasoda. In any case, without regard for material understandings, we can
accept that Nanda Maharaja’s celebration for the ceremony of Krsna’s
birth was proper. This ceremony is therefore well known everywhere as
Nandotsava.

TEXT 3
Wat faa maT Fase: AHIFA |
RIM GREET IDAIGCAS EUG MEM
