A Sacred Day in Vṛndāvana
After the subduing of Kāliya, the waters of the Yamunā became pure, and the residents of Vṛndāvana once again resumed their joyful life. One morning, on the auspicious occasion of Dvādaśī, Nanda Mahārāja, following Vedic tradition, went early to the Yamunā to bathe and perform his spiritual rites before sunrise.
As he stepped into the water in silence and reverence, something unexpected happened.
Nanda Mahārāja Captured by Varuṇa’s Servants
The servants of Varuṇa, the demigod of the waters, mistook Nanda Mahārāja’s actions for a breach of divine regulation, as he bathed before the appropriate time. In their zeal, they captured the king of Vraja and dragged him to the abode of Varuṇa at the bottom of the ocean.
When Nanda did not return, the Vrajavāsīs became alarmed. They cried out in despair, and the gopas ran to Kṛṣṇa, their only shelter.
With urgency and concern, they said:
“O Kṛṣṇa! Your father has vanished into the waters of Yamunā. We are helpless! Please save him!”
Kṛṣṇa’s Swift Response
Hearing this, Kṛṣṇa immediately dove into the river, parting the waters with His divine form. He descended to the subaquatic realm of Varuṇa, a palace of shimmering crystals, jewels, and flowing currents that echoed with hymns of the Vedas.
There, Nanda Mahārāja sat respectfully, bewildered but unharmed, in the assembly of Varuṇa-deva.
Varuṇa Realizes His Mistake
As soon as Varuṇa saw Kṛṣṇa, he was overwhelmed with awe. His eyes filled with devotion and he offered his obeisances, realizing that the Supreme Personality of Godhead had personally entered his court.
He said:
“O Lord! I am blessed beyond measure! I committed a great offense by allowing my foolish servants to arrest Your father. Please forgive us. All that we possess is Yours.”
Varuṇa then worshiped Kṛṣṇa with great reverence and returned Nanda Mahārāja, safe and honored.
Nanda’s Amazement
Nanda Mahārāja was struck with wonder. He saw the opulence of Varuṇa’s kingdom, the beauty of the celestial waters, and most of all, his own son worshiped as the Supreme Lord.
When they returned to the surface of the Yamunā, Nanda remained silent, his heart filled with questions.
Later, speaking softly to the elder gopas, he said:
“Today I saw with my own eyes how even the gods worship our Gopāla. Who is He really? Is He not the Supreme Deity Himself?”
The Vrajavāsīs’ Simple Love
The elders, though curious, could not break their vatsalya-bhāva—their loving mood of parental affection. Even if Kṛṣṇa were the Supreme, He was still their son, their Kānha, the cowherd boy who played, danced, and stole butter in their homes.
This is the sweetness of Vṛndāvana: even the revelation of Kṛṣṇa’s divinity only deepens their love, never disturbs it.
Lessons to Be Learned:
- Kṛṣṇa rescues His devotees from every realm—even the depths of the ocean or the courts of gods.
- The demigods, though powerful, recognize and revere the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
- The sweetness of Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes lies in His choice to conceal His majesty for the sake of love.
- Parental devotion (vatsalya-rasa) is so powerful that even divine realizations cannot shake it.
- The Lord personally protects those who love Him, and even the gods bow before that love.
Origin of the Story: Harivaṁśa Purāṇa – Viṣṇu-parva, Chapters 57–58
