Hare Kṛṣṇa,
There are some wonderful lessons from this chapter applicable to our devotional life.
- Nanda Maharaja duly performing Ekādaśī vow shows that even eternally perfect devotees (nitya-siddhas) perform activities that are recommended in the scriptures and conducive to one’s bhakti. One of the 64 limbs of sadhana bhakti listed in Bhakti-Rasamrta Sindhu by Srila Rupa Goswami is Observing Ekādaśī-Janmastami and other sacred days (which are favorable to the Lord) by observing fast. Srila Prabhupada writes in Nectar of Devotion (Chapter 7) that “The basic principle is not just to fast but to increase one’s faith and love for Govinda, or Kṛṣṇa. The real reason for observing fasting on Ekādaśī is to minimize the demands of the body and to engage our time in the service of the Lord by chanting or performing similar service. The best thing to do on fasting days is to remember the pastimes of Govinda and to hear His holy name constantly.” Nanda baba was not observing Ekadasi as a ritual but to increase his devotion for Kṛṣṇa.
- Taking shelter of the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa is the best principle. Whatever life and death situations we find ourselves in, we must have the faith that Kṛṣṇa is the ultimate protector. In fact, having the conviction that Kṛṣṇa will give protection is one of the six characteristics of sarangati (complete self-surrender to the Lord). A devotee should not think that he is being protected by a demigod. He should depend only on Kṛṣṇa, considering Him the only protector. The devotee must be firmly convinced that within the three worlds he has no protector or maintainer other than Kṛṣṇa. This is what we learn from Nanda Maharaja’s kidnapping by the servants of Varuna. Seeing Nanda Maharaja disappearing in the water of Kalindi (Yamuna), the cowherd men called out to Kṛṣṇa in distress. This is the natural reaction of a devotee in distress. Time and again in Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes we see the Vrajavasis seeking Kṛṣṇa’s protection when in trouble or danger.
“Kṛṣṇa is called svanam-abhaya-dah, “relieving the fear of His associates” because by freeing Nanda from Varuna’s clutches, Kṛṣṇa relieved the fear of His relatives.” (Sārārtha-darśini, 10.28.3)
- The real and ultimate success of human life is to be able to see the Lord directly. Material possessions, wealth, fame, erudition, high birth, accomplishments, etc. do not make one successful. Varuna is one of the demigods with all opulences but still he considered himself materially defeated. He considered his life completely successful by seeing Kṛṣṇa.
Varuna said, “All the thousands of bodies which I have received till now have been useless because in all those lives I did not see You. Today my body has become successful…Today I have understood what is most valuable. Though I possess all varieties of jewels, until now I have not obtained such a jewel as You. Those who worship Your lotus feet can cross the ocean of material existence. How fortunate I am to attain Your darsana without any effort.” (Sārārtha-darśini, 10.28.5)
This mood is also reflected by Mother Kunti. In one of her prayers to Kṛṣṇa, she prays “I wish that all those calamities would happen again and again so that we could see You again and again, for seeing You means that we will no longer see repeated births and deaths.” (SB 1.8.25)
Srila Prabhupada explains in the purport, “For a pious person, if there is some calamity there is no other alternative than to take shelter of the lotus feet of the Lord. Constantly remembering the lotus feet of the Lord means preparing for liberation from birth and death. Therefore, even though there are so-called calamities, they are welcome because they give us an opportunity to remember the Lord, which means liberation…If someone is lucky enough to get in contact with the Lord by devotional service, it is all gain. Contact with the Lord by any one of the nine devotional services is always a forward step on the path going back to Godhead.” (SB 1.8.25)
Lastly, this is my own realization and not backed up by scriptures. The kidnapping of His father by Varuṇa is another pastime orchestrated by Kṛṣṇa to show special mercy to Varuna by giving him direct darshan. This pastime has some resemblance to the pastime where Lord Mahā-Viṣṇu kidnaps a brahmana’s son so that he could have an opportunity to see Śrī Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna. Mahā-Viṣṇu said, “I brought the brāhmaṇa’s sons here because I wanted to see the two of you, My expansions, who have descended to the earth to save the principles of religion. As soon as you finish killing the demons who burden the earth, quickly come back here to Me.” (SB 10.89.58)
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Krsna Katha 