Once Vasudev had asked Garga Muni, the family priest, to go to the house of Nanda Baba and perform the astrological calculation and name giving ceremony of Krsna.
Garga muni went to Vrindavan and was warmly greeted by Nanda Baba. After washing the feet of the sage and offering pleasing words, Nanda Baba had requested that Garga muni perform the astrological calculation of Krsna and Balarama. Garga muni knew that Krsna was the son of Vasudev and Devaki therefore he told Nanda Baba that Kamsa is on the war path of killing all children under the age of five. Since Krsna and Balarama were three years, they should not make a big festival but should perform the ceremony in secret.
Sitting in a cowshed, Krsna and Balarama were brought to Garga Muni. He informed Nanda Maharaja that the son of Rohini would be very pleasing to His family members and relatives and therefore would be called Rama. In the future He would be extraordinarily strong and therefore would be called Baladeva. Garga Muni further said, “Because your family and the family of the Yadus are so intimately connected and attracted, His name will also be Saṅkarṣaṇa.” This means that Garga Muni awarded three names to the son of Rohini—namely Balarama, Saṅkarṣaṇa and Baladeva. But he carefully did not disclose the fact that Balarama had also appeared in the womb of Devaki and was subsequently transferred to the womb of Rohini. Krsna and Balarama are real brothers, being originally sons of Devaki.
Garga Muni then informed Nanda Maharaja, “As far as your son is concerned, this child has taken different bodily complexions in different yugas [millennia]. First of all, He assumed the colour white, then the colour red, and then the colour yellow, and now He has assumed the colour black. Besides that, He was formerly the son of Vasudeva; therefore, His name should be Vāsudeva as well as Krsna. Some people will call Him Krsna, and some will call Him Vāsudeva. But one thing you must know; this son has had many, many other names and activities due to His different pastimes.”
Garga Muni could see the future and therefore hinted to Nanda Maharaja that his son would also be called Giridhārī because He will lift Govardhana Hill. This child will be very pleasing to all the cowherd men and cows. Being very popular in Vrindavan,
Garga Muni continued to say, “My dear King of Vraja, in His previous births this child many times protected righteous persons from the hands of rogues and thieves whenever there was political disruption. Your child is so powerful that anyone who will become a devotee of your boy will never be troubled by enemies. Just as demigods are always protected by Lord Vishnu, the devotees of your child will always be protected by Narayana, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This child will grow in power, beauty, opulence—in everything—on the level of Narayan, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Therefore, I would advise that you protect Him very carefully so that He may grow without disturbance. Garga Muni returned to his home and Nanda Maharaja began to think of himself as the most fortunate person, and he was very satisfied to receive such a benediction in this way.
