The story of Nanda Baba, also known as Nandagopal or Nandagopar, is rich with spiritual significance and is woven into various Puranas, highlighting his pivotal role as the foster father of Lord Krishna. Nanda Baba is celebrated as the leader of the cowherds in the village of Gokul, where he played an essential role in the upbringing of Krishna, the eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu.
Birth and Early Life
Nanda Baba was born into the Yadava clan and was married to Yashoda. They lived in the village of Gokul, a pastoral community where cows were revered and central to daily life. Despite his seemingly humble life as a cowherd, Nanda Baba was blessed with immense spiritual merit from his previous births.
Previous Births and Divine Connections
In the Bhagavata Purana, it is revealed that Nanda Baba was one of the eight Vasus in his previous birth. The Vasus are celestial beings who are attendants of Indra, the king of the gods. Due to a curse, Nanda Baba was born as a mortal cowherd. However, Brahma granted him a boon that he would be liberated from the cycle of birth and death when he would take care of the incarnation of Lord Vishnu, which eventually manifested as his foster son, Krishna.
The Shiva Purana provides another layer to Nanda Baba's story, indicating that in one of his earlier births, he was also a cowherd and an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva. Pleased with Nanda's unwavering devotion, Lord Shiva blessed him with the opportunity to look after Lord Krishna in his future birth. This intertwining of destinies showcases the deep spiritual bond between Nanda Baba and the divine forces.
The Birth of Krishna and Nanda's Role
The birth of Lord Krishna was surrounded by divine mysteries and miracles. According to the Bhagavata Purana, Krishna was born in the prison of Mathura to Devaki and Vasudeva, under the tyrannical rule of King Kamsa. To protect Krishna from Kamsa's evil intentions, Vasudeva was divinely instructed to take the newborn child across the Yamuna River to Gokul and exchange him with Nanda Baba's newborn daughter, Yogmaya.
Nanda Baba and Yashoda were overjoyed to find the divine child Krishna in their care. They raised Krishna with immense love and affection, unaware of his true identity as the Supreme Being. Krishna’s childhood in Gokul, under the care of Nanda and Yashoda, is filled with tales of divine playfulness, miracles, and his eventual revelation as the savior of the world.
Incidents During Krishna's Childhood
Several incidents during Krishna's childhood illustrate Nanda Baba's love and concern for his foster son, as well as the divine protection that surrounded Krishna:
Putana's Attempt to Kill Krishna: One of the most famous incidents is when the demoness Putana, sent by Kamsa, attempted to kill the infant Krishna by breastfeeding him with poisoned milk. Unaware of the danger, Nanda Baba was devastated when he heard about the attack, but Krishna miraculously survived by sucking the life out of Putana, saving Gokul from her menace.
The Overturning of the Cart (Shakatasura): Another event involved a heavy cart that suddenly collapsed near baby Krishna. Nanda Baba was alarmed and rushed to protect Krishna, only to discover that the child had effortlessly overturned the cart, revealing his divine strength.
The Yamuna Crossing: On the night of Krishna's birth, Vasudeva carried the newborn across the Yamuna River, which miraculously parted to give him safe passage. Nanda Baba later performed rituals to honor the deities, not fully understanding the divine intervention that had allowed Krishna to come under his care.
The Protection of the Cows and Cowherds: Krishna’s famous act of lifting the Govardhan Hill to protect the villagers and cows from the wrath of Indra is another incident that highlights Nanda Baba's role. After the event, Nanda Baba realized Krishna's divine nature, yet his fatherly love remained pure and unconditional.
Legacy and Liberation
Nanda Baba's life is a testament to the ideals of devotion, duty, and the simple yet profound love between a parent and a child. The Puranas suggest that Nanda Baba was ultimately liberated and returned to his celestial form as a Vasu after completing his role in nurturing Krishna. His devotion and dedication to Lord Krishna are celebrated in various temples and festivals, particularly during Krishna Janmashtami, the festival marking Krishna's birth.
Nanda Baba's story is not just about his role as Krishna's foster father but also a narrative of spiritual elevation, where devotion and duty converge to fulfill divine prophecy. His life reminds devotees that even in humble circumstances, one can achieve spiritual greatness through devotion, love, and adherence to Dharma.