Gopal Champu

Chapter Four - Birth Celebration

[1] Just as on the previous day skillful Madhukaṇṭha had glorified Kṛṣṇa, the next day Snigdhakaṇṭha, taking his turn, glorified Kṛṣṇa in the shining assembly of Nanda.

[2] Madhukaṇṭha eagerly requested, “Just as you relished the topics about Kṛṣṇa that I spoke yesterday, today I will relish with my ears what you speak. Though a jīva becomes the enjoyer, my senses desire to be the enjoyer.” ||1||

[3] Snigdhakaṇṭha said, “The joyful old woman then approached Nanda and others who were in the cow pens in order to milk the cows. Stopping her quick gait, the overjoyed woman saw before her Nanda and others. She wanted to speak and the short distance seemed a long way. Holding fruit and flowers in her hands, she informed them of the birth of a son. Whatever little she managed to say, she repeated and they all respected her.” ||2||

[4] Madhukaṇṭha said, “What did she say?”

[5] Snigdhakaṇṭha spoke with a smile: “She said ‘Our king has given birth to a son. Will you not come and see him?’”

[6] Madhukaṇṭha said with a smile, “Then what happened?”

[7] Snigdhakaṇṭha said, “Like peacocks in a fresh shower, the cowherds began shouting in excitement on hearing the sweet news. Nanda’s hairs stood on end. He appeared like a tree with fresh buds. He displayed the greatest bliss but not by words.

[8] Madhukaṇṭha said, “Then what happened?”

[9] Snigdhakaṇṭha said:

Filled with eager smiles and great reverence, they all offered the old woman respects. Coming quickly forward she said, “May you and your son have auspiciousness.” She offered him an auspicious coconut and dūrvā sprouts anointed with sandalwood, turmeric and kuṁkuma. Nanda looked at Upananda and then spoke in joy: “Take all these cows gathered for milking and give them all, not excluding even one, to her husband.”

[10] They all said in great joy, “Give her whatever suitable item she desires.”

Did a son’s birth take place or did joy take birth like a son? Nanda was unable to distinguish the two. ||3||

[11] Bathing and dressing properly, Nanda made a vow to give cows in charity as he had previously stated. Though his offerings were plentiful, they seemed meager. Surrounded by Upananda and others, wearing the finest clothing, he desired to go to the house. On Rohiṇī’s order, from the gate of the town, two musicians began sounding drums. The sounds announced, “Nanda has become blissful! Nanda has become blissful!”

In the evening, one could hear the rumbling of instruments from the heavens, proclaiming, “Victory! Victory!” But one could not detect the cause. Hearing those sounds the villagers came and in bliss began to discuss loudly. ||4||

[12] Though he became stunned out of joy, he was pulled by his eagerness. Though he was eager, he began to tremble intensely. Since he served Nārāyaṇa, Nārāyaṇa supported him with his hands. Gaining some self-control, Nanda approached his house.

When the cowherds arrived at Nanda’s house, many friends were standing around together. As many streams enter the Gaṅgā, many people converged into a huge crowd. ||5||

Thousands of women holding auspicious items came and blissfully worshiped Yaśodā on the occasion of a new son. ||6||

Nanda joined the noisy crowd like the full moon amidst the constellations. In this way he was adorned with the anudātta, udātta and svarita accents of Vedic chanting. ||7||

Since brāhmaṇas were also eager to come, Nanda called them first individually with respect. ||8||

The auspicious, skillful, excellent brāhmaṇas sat in the assembly gracefully and, chanting mantras for giving blessings, placed auspicious items on the child’s head. Surrounded by the brāhmaṇas, Nanda was overcome with happiness. ||9||

While bathing, decorating and hearing the auspicious praise, Nanda thought,“I praise this birth of a son and nothing else.” That day, everyone, just by hearing about bathing but not taking bath themselves, achieved the infinite results of that act. ||10||

[13] When the elders said that the birth ceremony should be performed, Nanda prepared to do it.

Nanda worshiped the wives of his elder brothers, who became happy on seeing the happiness of a mother with a son. ||11||

Nanda then performed the nāndīmukha-śrāddha ceremony in which the forefathers personally recited auspicious prayers. ||12||

[14] Nanda then entered the inner chambers with boys endowed with Vedic knowledge and placed an auspicious pot on an altar in front of the delivery room. Rohiṇī, having the most sublime desires, understood that Nanda had come. Screening off the bed of Yaśodā, who gives fame to three families, she brought the covered child to the entrance. The wives of Nanda’s brothers asked in a joking mood for some priceless items for decorating themselves and Nanda promised these to them. Then they showed him the newborn child.

[15] He saw that child, nourished by persons without lamentation, the chief of blue lotuses, whose splendor no one could surpass. He was the playground of rare, soft, spotless beauty. All his limbs were superior to an image of flawless blue cintāmaṇi crafted by astonishing Viśvakarma with the greatest endeavor. His soft, curled hair was the color of new śaivāla plants growing in the still waters of the Yamunā, spread with ointment made of powdered vaidūrya gems. His eyes were purer than the central petals of the blue lotus held in the hand of Lakṣmī. His hands, feet and lips defeated the buds growing on a desire tree of Vaikuṇṭha. The child was attractive with cloth the hue of haritāla or saffron, defeating the color of gold. Bathing the child with milk in the form of his tears, Nanda remained stunned for some moments in astonishment.

Many emotions arose within Nanda. Then Nanda endowed with profound nature became completely stunned. ||13||

[16] After some time he recovered and Upananda’s wife, desiring to increase his bliss, placed the child in his lap.

When he held the child in his lap and Yaśodā from the other room heard the words, “The son is in the lap of Nanda” she shed tears, her hairs stood on end and she became stunned. ||14||

[17] The brāhmaṇas with the nameŚarmā performed the birth ceremony for bestowing intelligence to the child. Chanting the mantra staring bhūs tvayi, they fed the child ghee using the little finger decorated with a gold ring. They then gave blessing for long life by chanting agnir āyuṣmān in the child’s right ear. Chanting the mantra starting with divaspati they touched the child. They consecrated the earth with the mantras starting with oṁ hṛdam annaṁ prāṇāya prāṇāya in the four directions and the center. They had the child lie down in the bed with the mantra starting aśmā bhava. They purified the mother with the mantra starting with iḍāsi. They sprinkled water on the breasts of the mother while chanting the Ṛg Veda mantras starting with imaṁ stanam and yas te stanam. They turned the child on his back while chanting the mantra āpo deveṣu near his head and fixing a water pot there.

[18] After these auspicious acts were completed, the time to cut the umbilical cord arrived. A nurse who lost control out of bliss became steady and with hairs standing on end said several times ,“This is amazing.” In all lakes (navels) we see the lotus stalks, but not the flowers. Here however we see no stalk (umbilical cord) but only a lotus.

O lord of Vraja! Look at the auspicious marks of this dark complexioned child. His auspiciousness surpasses the marks described in the sāmudraka (bodily characteristics) scriptures. On his feet are the remarkable signs of conch, wheel, thunderbolt and lotus, and on his hands are other auspicious signs. The composition of his body is most amazing. ||15||

[19] When all were overcome with astonishment the brāhmaṇa boys said with a clever smile, “All people who give blessings! Since you who have spotless dharma, how can the impurity of cutting an umbilical cord told by the sages come upon you?” (Therefore there is no umbilical cord to cut.)

[20] Hearing this Nanda’s hairs stood on end and his moon-like face blossomed. He went outside to the sacrificial area with the young brāhmaṇa boys and remained there giving bliss to all. When his servants brought auspicious items he began giving charity profusely to the qualified brāhmaṇas.

As he was going to give charity he sent out messengers to announce the news of giving to the brāhmaṇas. However he could not find sufficient messengers to announce invitations. ||16||

He gave ten-thousand cows, then a hundred-thousand, then a million and two million. He gave two million cows with gold plated horns. But his heart was not satisfied. He gave seven piles of sesame each ten droṇas in volume. The brāhmaṇas estimated that his gifts of gems and gold were even greater than the amount of sesame he gave. Because his gifts were without limit, the eyes of all people filled with astonishment. Unlimited brāhmaṇas came without introduction but they were all recognized by their spiritual effulgence. ||17-21||

[21] All the brāhmaṇas knowledgeable of the Vedas and their particular fields, the skillful singers, bards, panegyrists and musicians joined for a festival. When each produced their special sound, all the different sounds seemed to merge into one beautiful sound, to the amazement of the universe. The unconscious land of Vraja seemed to awaken with joy, what to speak of its inhabitants. It became completely filled with people as if inundated with water. The flags seemed to dance. Though the cows, bulls and calves had natural affection, that affection seemed to be oozing out in the form of turmeric mixed with oil applied to their bodies. Joy seemed to be displayed externally in the form of flower garlands, peacock feathers, gold necklaces and mineral paints. If the animals had this appearance, what to speak of the cowherds? Today they also became famous for they are known as protectors of the earth (go). Endowed with rasa and bhāva and decorated with ornaments they were equal to great poetic works which have rasa, bhāva and literary ornaments. Holding many jeweled gifts in their hands with joy, they showed their strength of prema. How can one then describe the chief cowherd woman Yaśodā, overcome with bliss at the birth of her child, whose heart was colored with all good qualities and who was the embodiment of all life of Gokula’s people and the mother of Kṛṣṇa, who was the life of all beings?

[22] Many women had previously given up their ornaments, grieving because Yaśodā had no son. When they heard news of the new-born son, they became transformed with happiness. Putting on the ornaments as if dancing, they went to the house. Desiring to show auspiciousness and being transformed with affection, they held boxes of huge jewels in their hands in great bliss and spread splendor everywhere.

This effulgence of this group of gopīs’ faces defeats a pile of kuṁkuma. Yaśodā’s joy manifested completely on the occasion of her son’s birth. ||22||

[23] They sang as follows:

In the night Yaśodā gave birth to a beautiful son The women came to her house for this reason. In going there, they dressed themselves quickly. The path became filled with fallen garlands. Their swaying earrings lit up their cheeks. They were not aware that their cloth had fallen from their shoulders. Their effulgence was such that it seemed they were wearing necklaces of lightning. The bells on their clothing jingled. One could not overtake the other. The women laughed among themselves. ||23||

The devatās of music played instruments which sang, “Vraja became visible and Kṛṣṇa joined.” When such joy appeared, Upananda and others, generally sober, began to sport, dance and sing. ||24-25||

The women came and gave the child blessings. Sprinkling everyone with milk, they began to sing. ||26||

O prince of Vraja, O young child! Please protect us in Vṛndāvana for a long time.

You are the object of our desires. Give us auspiciousness.

We desire to see your smiling face at all times. We desire to see you crawl in the yard.

Please go about, holding the tail of a calf.

You will please us by playing with the calves.

The fortunate person will see you playing with the cows while you kill the demons with your strength and give special results to your devotees. ||27||

Absorbed in singing at the great festival, the women sprinkled oil mixed with turmeric and went outside. ||28||

Sprinkling each other with milk and yogurt, becoming all white, the chief cowherds began dancing like waves in the Milk Ocean. ||29||

[24] The women sang while watching the men dance:

O friends! Look at the king of cowherds. He is sporting because of the birth of a son.

Filled with piles of yogurt, the place appears like the Milk Ocean.

Nanda has a belt of Vasuki around his waist and is joyful in the company of his friends.

He gives valuable gifts which astonish all.

The moon rose after the churning of the Milk Ocean but Kṛṣṇa has arisen before the churning of the Milk Ocean. ||30||

O friends! Look at the king of cowherds. He is sporting because of the birth of a son.

Filled with piles of yogurt, the place appears like the Milk Ocean. Nanda has a belt of Vasuki around his waist and is joyful in the company of his friends. He gives valuable gifts which astonish all. The moon rose after the churning of the Milk Ocean but Kṛṣṇa has arisen before the churning of the Milk Ocean. ||30||

[25] They composed the following verse:

This was not a stream of yogurt which was thrown but the movement of a cloud. It was not clumps of butter thrown about but water drops falling from a cloud. It was not turmeric discoloring the water but a flash of lightning. In great joy the festival became a monsoon shower. ||31||

Kṛṣṇa’s uncles on the mother’s side approached his maternal grandfather for protection but Nanda’s brothers attacked them as if to steal their kingdom. The brothers then pulled the maternal uncles into the yogurt to punish them. ||32||

[26] Generous Nanda collecting abundant treasures, called many people who lived by their qualities, and not considering fit or unfit, distributed carefully to them piles of jewels, as much as they could carry. ||33||

The custom is that the receiver requests and then the donor gives. In the case of Nanda however this was reversed and he gave without the request being made. ||34||

When Nanda gave charity without anyone requesting, the desire trees and cintāmaṇi stone looked like misers. ||35||

While giving, Nanda thought, “May Nārāyaṇa be pleased and give blessings to my child.” ||36||

[27] When the festival was over, all desired to bathe. They went to the Yamunā.

[28] Everyone without shyness played in the water with Nanda. Rubbing fragrant oils on their bodies, taking bath, they then dressed in splendid clothing and smeared sandalwood with camphor on their bodies. In a grass hut, Paurṇamāsī was sitting with a satisfied heart since her desires had borne fruit. Offering her respects and having her hear the bards’ songs, they returned to the king’s house.

[29Finishing the joyful bath, Nanda, like a moon generating bliss, filled the ocean in the form of his friends.

[30] After charity was completed, all the guests whom Rohiṇī had respectfully invited ate food cooked in ghee and, loaded with the treasures from the festival, returned to their houses. Filled with bliss and recalling the day’s events, they stayed awake in the night, dancing and singing.

How can one describe Rohiṇī’s joy when Kṛṣṇa was born? Though she was separated from her husband Vasudeva, she decorated herself nicely on the occasion. How astonishing! See her pure beauty. Nanda considered it his great fortune that she came to his house. ||37||

[31] From the day that Kṛṣṇa took birth, the ocean of Vraja daily increased in wealth and astonishment. And the place became the residence of many excellent women who took birth from cowherds.

[32] Madhukaṇṭha began to think: Ah! The Bhāgavatam conversation explains this:

tata ārabhya nandasya vrajaḥ sarva-samṛddhimān |

harer nivāsātma-guṇai ramā-krīḍam abhūn nṛpa ||

O Mahārāja Parīkṣit, the home of Nanda Mahārāja is eternally the abode of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and His transcendental qualities and is therefore always naturally endowed with the opulence of all wealth. Yet beginning from Lord Kṛṣṇa’s appearance there, it became the place for the pastimes of the goddess of fortune. SB 10.5.18

[33] Thinking, Snigdhakaṇṭha then spoke: “Nanda has such a wealth of qualities. Who can describe his unlimited charity, his unlimited wealth, his unlimited arrangement for festivals, his unlimited number of servants, his unlimited protection of all people and his unlimited attention?” ||38||

[34] Concluding the topic he said, “O king of the cowherds! You have given birth to a child who has astonished all the cowherds by his wealth of qualities.” ||39||

[35] After all had come to pass, as on the previous day, everyone returned to their houses and Nanda returned to the cow pens.

Chapter Five - Killing Pūtanā

[1] The next day in the splendid assembly, auspicious Madhukaṇṭha, making everybody anxious with the sound of his voice, began to speak, “O Snigdhakaṇṭha, please listen.”

[2] In the faultless evening, a messenger in disguise sent by Vasudeva, who is the form of all devatās, arrived at the lotus feet of Nanda. Recognizing him as the best among Vasudeva’s old servants, Nanda asked how he was. Offering respects the messenger spoke, “How can there be unrestricted peace when cruel Kaṁsa has Rākṣasas eat everyone? This you can infer by seeing my torn, worn clothing. It was not possible to depart and cross using a boat during the day. I have crossed the Yamunā by swimming. With damp clothing I have arrived here in the evening.”

[3] Nanda laughing loudly said, “Please tell any other particular event.”

[4] The messenger said, “No other message is necessary. Now it is likely we will all die. Our life is in such danger that my master is without assistance. All have become subservient to Kaṁsa.”

[5] Nanda said, “What has happened to him at present?”

[6] The messenger said, “What has happened? Because of that, he has sent me, trying to act for his benefit.”

[7] Nanda said, “What is that?”

[8] The messenger said, “In the middle of the night a daughter was born to Vasudeva from Devakī in the prison house.”

[9] Nanda said, “Then what happened?”

[10] The messenger said, “She tried to hide the child but the guards heard the child cry. They went to inform evil, angry Kaṁsa residing in the inner palace. Depraved Kaṁsa, from the day after the marriage of Devakī, fearing the message of the devatās, had remained alert with agitation. Just by hearing a syllable of the guards’ words he became completely agitated and, with hair flying everywhere, cruel Kaṁsa took his sword and went to the prison.”

[11] Nanda in fear said, “Then what happened?”

[12] The messenger said, “Going quickly to the bed in the prison, without mercy, like a head-strong person, with no shame, merciless Kaṁsa took the girl from the lap of wailing Devakī and angrily threw the child against the stone in front of Devakī. For that evil deed Kaṁsa has gained the criticism and disrespect of all people.”

[13] With tearful eyes Nanda said, “Ah! How can you let us hear such unpleasant news? Let that be, but do not speak such unwelcome topics in my house. Yaśodā, the friend of Devakī, will become completely grief-stricken and Rohiṇī, Vasudeva’s wife in separation, will faint.”

[14] The messenger said, “O lord! Please hear with steady heart what was most astonishing.”

[15] Nanda said, “O long-lived messenger! Please keep speaking.”

[16] The messenger said, “Though the child was thrown from sinful Kaṁsa’s hand, she did not fall on the stone, but rather, putting her feet on his head and rising upwards quickly in the sky, she revealed an extraordinary celestial form.”

[17] Nanda said, “What was that form?”

[18] The messenger said, “She had a dark complexion and eight arms, holding the cakra and other weapons. She rode on lion in the sky and was praised profusely by the devatās. With raised heads everyone gazed at her.” ||1||

[19] Nanda said in astonishment, “What did she say?”

[20] The messenger said, “O Nanda! It was not otherwise. Please hear more auspicious news. She spoke with pride and pleasure:

“O sinful Kaṁsa! Why have you tried to kill me? Your attempt is futile. Your previous enemy has been born already somewhere else. This enemy will come from there and kill you. You should not try to kill any more young children.” ||2||

[21] Nanda said with astonishment and a smile, “Certainly, because of Vasudeva’s bhakti, the child became Bhadra-kālī and spoke auspicious words. Today, finally, someone has disrespected him words.”

[22] The messenger said, “O respectable king! Please hear another astonishing fact! Thinking that his enemies the devatās had announced that the eighth child of his sister would be a danger, Kaṁsa, an enemy disguised as a brother, called Devakī and Vasudeva from the prison and, holding their feet while begging pardon, repenting that he had killed her six previous sons, he freed them from their chains.”

[23] Nanda said, “Then what happened?”

[24] The messenger said, “Devakī, because of her gentle nature did not become angry with the killer of her children. Vasudeva considered as follows, ‘Previously he dried us up and pulverized us and now he soaks us in ghee and pulverizes us. Though he is by nature crooked, because of the strength of his good character, he is now gentle.’ Taking permission from evil Kaṁsa, Vasudeva returned to his house with his wife, but he did not trust Kaṁsa, because Kaṁsa, coming from a different lineage, always afflicted those under his care: he afflicted his mother just as a grind stone scrapes another stone.” ||3||

[25] Nanda said, with a smile, “What did the uncivilized brute do from that morning on?”

[26] The messenger said, “He did what was natural to him. The evil fellow performed further wicked acts.”

[27] Nanda said, “Please tell us.”

[28] The messenger said, “The black spot on this dynasty, Kaṁsa called his demon friends and told them what happened in the night. These associates, like demonic Rāhu, breakers of laws like ghosts, held a clamorous meeting which sounded like tigers roaring. The sound, conquering Mahendra Mountain, afflicted the attendants of Viṣṇu, the devatās, the worshippers of the devatās, the cows and the brāhmaṇas. This afflicted Viṣṇu himself. He cruelly afflicted children ten days old or less. He accomplished this with the help of his evil friends. By their advice he gave charity.”

[29] Nanda on hearing those angry words spoke with anger and fear: “What peaceful instructions has Vasudeva given me?”

[30] The messenger said, “Vasudeva explained ‘Nanda will soon go to this Rākṣasa disguised as Kaṁsa and pay taxes. Nanda will meet me then. I am very eager to know about his son. We will meet by auspicious events. Balarāma who is not-different from him should also be maintained.’”

[31] After hearing this and having worries, Nanda fed the messenger, and meeting with his elder and younger brothers, reviewed in private what the messenger had said.

[32] Upananda said, “What Vasudeva has said is correct. By paying the tax we can keep the serpent’s mouth closed.”

[33] Taking his brothers words to heart, Nanda informed the messenger who approached in the morning: “Dear messenger! Go to him and inform him of the auspicious news of a son and other news which will give joy to his heart. On the instructions of my brothers I will gather the taxes and distribute gifts everywhere. Tell him we will come in five days.”

[34] When the messenger left, Nanda arranged for Yaśodā’s bath and daily celebrated huge festivals. Bringing respectable people along with priests to see her, Nanda looked at the new child.

Just by the nectar of seeing Kṛṣṇa on that most auspicious day, a sacrifice was performed. Just by the fragrance of hearing about him, they became capable of manifesting perspiration, hairs standing on end and tears, as if they had attained the tender child after many births and were carrying the dearest object. ||4||

He invited the chief people to see the child and they all came. As well, many who were uninvited came to see the child. Will not the lotus-pond, spread with lotuses, automatically attract the bees? ||5||

Though the cowherds repeatedly saw the child in the lap of Upananda’s aged wife in front of Yaśodā, in a huge house having many doors and spread with cloth made of deers’ hair, they could not be fully satisfied, since they had to move aside to allow others who were behind to come forward. ||6||

A sacrificial priest spoke to Upananda’s wife, telling her it was not necessary to rise on seeing him or other elders. As he said this, he began to tremble in bliss. With tears in his eyes he sprinkled white rice and offered svasti prayers. ||7||

Children gathered in front of Kṛṣṇa, and asked questions as children will. Seeing the child, they said to other children with joyful hearts, “His beauty is clearly visible, but cannot be understood by any amount of words.” Out of bliss, others could not answer because of choked throats or because they had not heard those words. ||8||

People gave so much cloth and ornaments that the child would have enough to wear monthly until his kaiśora age. Nanda gave gifts equal to an infinite storehouse. ||9||

Those who saw the child took away his beauty to their houses. That beauty was both natural and produced. The natural beauty was his eyes and other features. The produced beauty was that created by his clothing and ornaments. ||10||

When people saw that pleasing child and went home, they continually kept seeing him in their minds for several days. ||11||

[35] After making arrangements for his elder brothers to protect the child when he went to Mathurā, Nanda began to think as he travelled to Mathurā: “Though my mind usually gives equal regard to friend and enemy, I have become very attracted to this boy such that I do not desire a long life. I am going to an evil person, and do not know what will happen. Looking at this child repeatedly to drive away my agitation, let me go to Mathurā.”

[36] Before going to Mathurā Nanda looked at the face of his child on his lap repeatedly and experienced bliss. He kissed the child’s forehead and cheeks and embraced his body, but could not be fully satisfied, yet this sustained him on his way to Mathurā. ||12||

The nurse said, “O dark child! Your father is asking permission to go and see the king. Please give him permission.” With his astonishing child-like nature, Kṛṣṇa smiled. Seeing this, Nanda departed with a steady heart. ||13||

While remembering the sweet smile of his son and trying to hide his love, he talked to the cowherds joyfully. He seemed like a yogī immersed in the bliss of Brahman. ||14||

[37] Arriving at Mathurā, Nanda offered the taxes to the officials and left his carts to please Kaṁsa, who accepted them through his officials from a distance. Nanda did not go to Vasudeva’s house, so that Kaṁsa could not understand his attachment to Vasudeva.

[38] Snigdhakaṇṭha said, “Kaṁsa was inimical to the good and had criminal hatred towards newborn children. He was greedy for others’ wealth. How could he act nicely towards Nanda - who was endowed with Vedic culture; who had just astonished the universe with the birth ceremony of his son; and who was famous for having unlimited wealth?”

[39] Madhukaṇṭha said, “It was previously said, ‘Who could not be bound by the good qualities of the moon-like king of Vraja, rightly famous for those qualities?’”

[40] Snigdhakaṇṭha said, “Then what happened?”

[41] Madhukaṇṭha said: Then Nanda made a plan to meet Vasudeva in a secret place, and Vasudeva then came to meet Nanda along with a special servant.

[42] When Vasudeva arrived, Nanda, spreading effulgence everywhere, rose up in respect and went towards Vasudeva. With attachment he embraced Vasudeva and Vasudeva embraced him. But they did not bow to each other, since Vasudeva was elder, being of kṣatriya birth, and Nanda was elder in years. Not only that, but they had great affection for each other and thus did not bother with formalities.

[43] This is made clear by Śukadeva:

When Nanda Mahārāja heard that Vasudeva had come, he was overwhelmed with love and affection, being as pleased as if his body had regained its life. Seeing Vasudeva suddenly present, he got up and embraced him with both arms. SB 10.5.21

In this example, to show Nanda’s attachment to him, Nanda is represented as the body and Vasudeva as the life air. The life air can move in some other body, but the body cannot exist without the life air. But Vasudeva, coming to Nanda’s encampment out of love, was worshiped like a guest by Nanda, and, satisfied by his behavior, spoke with attachment about the two new children.

diṣṭyā bhrātaḥ pravayasa idānīm aprajasya te |

prajāśāyā nivṛttasya prajā yat samapadyata ||”

“My dear brother Nanda Mahārāja, at an advanced age you had no son at all and were hopeless of having one. Therefore, that you now have a son is a sign of great fortune.” SB 10.5.23

[44] Like the Milk Ocean with full affection which did not increase or decrease and with a deep voice, Nanda lamented the destruction of Vasudeva’s family by Kaṁsa. Fortifying his will with the acceptance of karma, he produced happiness in himself and Vasudeva by his sweet and truthful words.

[45] Understanding that Nanda had completed his duties, Vasudeva allowed him to return home, since he understood that troubles would be occurring in the future. In fact, Nanda had already left for home in his heart, but now he brought his body back to Vraja.