Nanda Baba

Nanda Baba, chief of the cowherds of Vraja, in whose courtyard Krishna, the darling "Nandalala", played.

Nanda Baba, the chief of the cowherds of Vraja, is the foster father of Shri Krishna. He was generous, simple-hearted and righteous, and a close friend of Vasudeva. On the night of Krishna's birth, when Vasudeva brought the newborn to Gokula and laid him beside Yashoda, Nanda celebrated the birth of "his" son the next day with great joy, giving cows and gifts to the brahmins. This festival is still celebrated as Nandotsava, the day after Janmashtami.

When the demons sent by Kamsa kept attacking Gokula, Nanda, on the advice of the elders, led the whole community to Vrindavan. According to tradition, Nandagaon too is remembered as Nanda Baba's home.

Several lilas show Krishna's love for him. Once, after keeping the Ekadashi fast, Nanda entered the Yamuna to bathe at an improper hour and was carried away by a servant of Varuna. Krishna went to Varuna's realm and brought his father back, and Varuna himself bowed to the Lord and asked forgiveness. On another occasion, during a pilgrimage to Ambikavana, a huge serpent seized Nanda; Krishna touched it with his foot, and a celestial being named Sudarshana emerged, freed from a curse. It was also Krishna who persuaded Nanda and the cowherds to worship Govardhana hill instead of Indra, which led to the famous lifting of Govardhana.

When Krishna left for Mathura, Nanda's grief was immense, yet he returned to Vraja carrying the Lord in his heart. Nanda Baba stands for a father's love that protects and provides and asks for nothing in return. Devotees still lovingly call the Lord "Nandalala" and "Nandanandana", the darling son of Nanda.

Relation

Foster father

Source

Shrimad Bhagavatam, Canto 10