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Bhaktivedanta VedaBase: Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 10.8.10
alakshito 'smin rahasi
SYNONYMS
śrī-nandah uvāca — Nanda Mahārāja said (to Gargamuni); alakshitah — without Kamsa's knowledge; asmin — in this cow shed; rahasi — in a very solitary place; māmakaih — even by my relatives; api — a still more secluded place; go-vraje — in the cow shed; kuru — just execute; dvijāti-samskāram — the purificatory process of second birth (samskārād bhaved dvijah); svasti-vācana-pūrvakam — by chanting the Vedic hymns to perform the purificatory process.
TRANSLATION
Nanda Mahārāja said: My dear great sage, if you think that your performing this process of purification will make Kamsa 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.
PURPORT
Nanda Mahārāja did not like the idea of avoiding the purificatory process. Despite the many obstacles, he wanted to take advantage of Gargamuni's presence and do what was needed. The purificatory process is essential specifically for brāhmanas, kshatriyas and vaiśyas. Therefore, since Nanda Mahārāja presented himself as a vaiśya, this process of purification was essential. Formerly, such institutional activities were compulsory. Cātur-varnyam mayā srishtam guna-karma-vibhāgaśah (Bg. 4.13). Without these activities of purification, the society would be considered a society of animals. To take advantage of Gargamuni's presence, Nanda Mahārāja wanted to perform the nāma-karana 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. Mandāh sumanda-matayo manda-bhāgyā hy upadrutāh (Bhāg. 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 Mahārāja, however, did not want to neglect anything. To keep intact a happy society advanced in spiritual knowledge, he took full advantage of Gargamuni's presence to do what was necessary. How degraded society has become within five thousand years. Mandāh sumanda-matayo manda-bhāgyāh. 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.
Copyright © r The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International, Inc.
His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda, Founder Ācārya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness
His Holiness Hrdayananda dasa Goswami
Gopiparanadhana dasa Adhikari
Dravida dasa Brahmacari