Å›rÄ«-nanda uvÄca
alaká¹£ito 'smin rahasi
mÄmakair api go-vraje
kuru dvijÄti-saá¹skÄraá¹
svasti-vÄcana-pÅ«rvakam
Å›rÄ«-nandaḥ uvÄca - Nanda MahÄrÄja said (to Gargamuni); alaká¹£itaḥ - without Kaá¹sa's knowledge; asmin - in this cow shed; rahasi - in a very solitary place; mÄmakaiḥ - even by my relatives; api - a still more secluded place; go-vraje - in the cow shed; kuru - just execute; dvijÄti-saá¹skÄram - the purificatory process of second birth (saá¹skÄrÄd bhaved dvijaḥ); svasti-vÄcana-pÅ«rvakam - by chanting the Vedic hymns to perform the purificatory process.
Nanda MahÄrÄja said: My dear great sage, if you think that your performing this process of purification will make Kaá¹sa suspicious, then secretly chant the Vedic hymns and perform the purifying process of second birth here in the cow shed of my house, without the knowledge of anyone else, even my relatives, for this process of purification is essential.
Nanda MahÄrÄja did not like the idea of avoiding the purificatory process. Despite the many obstacles, he wanted to take advantage of Garga Muni’s presence and do what was needed. The purificatory process is essential specifically for brÄhmaṇas, ká¹£atriyas and vaiÅ›yas. Therefore, since Nanda MahÄrÄja presented himself as a vaiÅ›ya, this process of purification was essential. Formerly, such institutional activities were compulsory. CÄtur-varṇyaá¹ mayÄ sṛṣá¹aá¹ guṇa-karma-vibhÄgaÅ›aḥ (Bg. 4.13). Without these activities of purification, the society would be considered a society of animals. To take advantage of Garga Muni’s presence, Nanda MahÄrÄja wanted to perform the nÄma-karaṇa ceremonies, even secretly, without any gorgeous arrangements. Therefore, the opportunity for purification should be regarded as the essential duty of human society. In Kali-yuga, however, people have forgotten the essence. MandÄḥ sumanda-matayo manda-bhÄgyÄ hy upadrutÄḥ (BhÄg. 1.1.10). In this age, people are all bad and unfortunate, and they do not accept Vedic instructions to make their life successful. Nanda MahÄrÄja, however, did not want to neglect anything. To keep intact a happy society advanced in spiritual knowledge, he took full advantage of Garga Muni’s presence to do what was necessary. How degraded society has become within five thousand years. MandÄḥ sumanda-matayo manda-bhÄgyÄḥ. The human life is obtained after many, many millions of births, and it is intended for purification. Previously, a father was eager to give all kinds of help to elevate his children, but at present, because of being misguided, people are prepared even to kill to avoid the responsibility of raising children.
