As those incidences transpired, (in which Kṛṣṇa went to Mathurā and killed Kaṁsa) Nanda Bābā was waiting at the bank of the Yamunā. He was thinking that Devakī and Vāsudeva had been showing Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma so much affection that They would not want to go back to Vṛndāvana with him. They came in the evening, and each sat on his knee—Kṛṣṇa on his right side, and Baladeva on his left. He asked them, “Why did you wait three days to come? Do You think You are the sons of Devakī and Vāsudeva?” They replied, “No. As soon as We were born, Devakī and Vāsudeva threw us out of their house, and you have fed us from a young age.” Whoever shows love and affection is the parent. Nanda Bābā was so kind that he was thinking, “How can I take them from Devakī and Vāsudeva? Maybe Baladeva can stay to pacify Devakī.” When he suggested that, however, Baladeva said that He could not stay without Kṛṣṇa.
September 27, 2000 Mathurā