Canto Ten - Chapter 28

Śrī Bādarāyaṇi said: Nanda fasted on Ekādaśī and worshiped Janārdana. Then, on Dvādaśī, he entered the Yamunā's water to bathe.

Because he entered the water at night during a time belonging to the demonic beings, one of Varuṇa's servants seized him and brought him before Varuṇa.

Unable to find Nanda, the cowherds cried out, 'Kṛṣṇa! Rāma!' Hearing them, almighty Bhagavān, who gives fearlessness to His own people, learned that Varuṇa had taken His father and went to Varuṇa's abode, O King.

When the guardian of the waters saw Hṛṣīkeśa arrive, the sight became a great festival for him. He worshiped Kṛṣṇa with magnificent offerings and then spoke.

Śrī Varuṇa said: Lord, today the purpose of my body is fulfilled, and today I have attained life's true goal. Bhagavān, those who worship Your feet have crossed to the far shore of the path.

Obeisance to You, Bhagavān, the Supreme Brahman and indwelling Self. In You there is no trace of Māyā, which projects the imagined diversity of worldly creation.

This father of Yours was brought here by my foolish servant, who acted in ignorance and did not understand proper conduct. Please forgive that offense.

Kṛṣṇa, seer of everything without exception, please bestow Your grace upon me as well. Govinda, lover of Your father, please take Your father with You.

Śrī Śuka said: Thus propitiated, Bhagavān Kṛṣṇa, the Lord of all rulers, took His father and returned home, bringing joy to their relatives.

Nanda had witnessed the sense-transcending opulence of the guardian of the waters and the reverence that Varuṇa and his attendants showed Kṛṣṇa. Filled with wonder, he described it to his kinsmen.

O King, the cowherds became intensely curious and understood Kṛṣṇa to be the Supreme Lord. They wondered, 'Will the supreme ruler reveal to us His subtle, eternal destination?'

Bhagavān, who personally sees everything, understood the desire of His own people. To fulfill their resolve, He compassionately reflected as follows.

In this world people wander through destinations high and low because of ignorance, desire and karma, and they do not know their own true destination.

Having considered this, Bhagavān Hari, who is supremely compassionate, showed the cowherds His own realm beyond material darkness.

It is the eternal Brahman effulgence, truth, knowledge and infinity, which sages in deep absorption behold when the material qualities have ceased.

Kṛṣṇa led them to the lake of Brahman, immersed them and then raised them out. They beheld the realm of Brahman that Akrūra also once saw.

When Nanda and the others saw that realm, they were immersed in supreme bliss. They were utterly amazed to see Kṛṣṇa there being praised by the personified Vedas.