Varuṇa’s Stotra to Kṛshṇa
This is the short stotra that Varuṇa offered to Bhagavān Kṛshṇa when Kṛshṇa came to his realm to bring back his foster-father Nanda. It is found in the Bhāgavata Mahā Purāṇa, Tenth Skandha, Chapter 28. In it Varuṇa greets Bhagavān Kṛshṇa in human form and speaks of his joy at seeing him face to face.
The setting
The gopas were on a pilgrimage to Ambikāvana. Nanda kept the Ekādaśī fast. In the hours before dawn he went to bathe in the river and entered the water in the dark.
One of Varuṇa’s servants saw a mortal bathing in the river at a time when it was not allowed. He seized Nanda and took him to Varuṇa’s realm.
Bhagavān Kṛshṇa was told that his foster-father had gone. He went down to Varuṇa’s realm to bring him back. Varuṇa, the deva of the waters, came forward at once when Kṛshṇa arrived.
The stotra
Varuṇa offered his respects to Bhagavān Kṛshṇa with a short but bright stotra. He said:
- Kṛshṇa had taken birth as a human for the sake of līlā, divine play, but his true nature is the Paramātmā, who fills all the worlds.
- Varuṇa had now gained the highest good fortune of seeing Bhagavān Kṛshṇa face to face. This is a darśana for which even the great devas wait through ages of tapas.
- The seizing of Nanda was a mistake of his servants, who did not know him as the father of Bhagavān Kṛshṇa. Varuṇa asked Kṛshṇa’s forgiveness for this offence and gave Nanda back at once.
- He was glad that Bhagavān Kṛshṇa had chosen to come in person, and that his realm was made holy by Kṛshṇa’s coming into it.
What came after
Bhagavān Kṛshṇa received the stotra kindly and accepted the apology. He left with Nanda.
Sources
- Bhāgavata Mahā Purāṇa, Tenth Skandha, Chapter 28