Nanda, or Nandagopa, was the foster father of Bhagavan Sri
Krishna. There is an incident mentioned in the Puranas in which Nanda Gopa is
rescued by Sri Krishna from the mouth of a snake.
One day the Gopas headed by their chief Nanda performed
Maheswara Puja in a nearby forest. They then decided to spend the night on the
banks of Kalindi River. They were singing bhajans and keeping vigil.
Suddenly a python emerged from the forest and began
swallowing Nandagopa. The python started swallowing Nanda by the foot.
The Gopas tried hard to loosen the grip of python on
Nandagopa. However, they could not.
Bhagavan Sri Krishna reached the spot and gave the python a
kick. It suddenly transformed into a deva, celestial being.
The Deva was known as Sudarshana. He was converted into a
python due to a curse by Sage Angiras.
The Deva (demigod) had disturbed the Tapas of Sage Angiras and therefore he was cursed. The sage had told the deva that he will be relieved of the curse the day Lord Krishna touched him. So to get Krishna touch him, the python attacked Nanda.
In some stories the name of the Deva is Vidyadhara.
The Deva (demigod) had disturbed the Tapas of Sage Angiras and therefore he was cursed. The sage had told the deva that he will be relieved of the curse the day Lord Krishna touched him. So to get Krishna touch him, the python attacked Nanda.
In some stories the name of the Deva is Vidyadhara.
With Bhagavan touching him, he got relieved of the curse and
attained his former form.