Bhaktivedanta Narayana Gosvami
From the book “Sri Vraja-maṇḍala-parikramā”:
This is the residence of Nanda Bābā’s eldest brother, Upānanda. He was extremely wise and in every respect he was Mahārāja Nanda’s advisor. He loved Nanda-nandana Śrī Kṛṣṇa more than he loved his own life. Upānanda’s son was Subhadra, whom Śrī Kṛṣṇa respected like a real elder brother. Subhadra Sakhā, who was also extremely affectionate to Kṛṣṇa, was expert in astrology and all other arts. He zealously protected Kṛṣṇa from all types of hardships during cow herding. Subhadra’s wife was Kundalatā, who accepted Kṛṣṇa as her very life. Witty and playful, she loved to laugh and she was most expert in arranging meetings between Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa. On the order of Yaśodā, she would bring Śrīmatī Rādhikā with her from Jāvaṭa to cook for Kṛṣṇa.
Rajashekhara Dasa
From the book “Chaurasi-kosa Vraja Mandala Parikrama”:
This is the village where Upananda, the elder brother of Nanda Maharaja lived and had his residence. Upananda acted as King Nanda’s Prime Minister and chief advisor and although it was Upananda’s right as the eldest of his five brothers, to become the king of the cowherd men, he instead chose his younger brother Nanda to be the king, because he saw that Nanda possessed exceptional qualities of leadership.
When Akrura was taking Krishna and Balarama from Nandagoan to Mathura they passed through this village. In the Uddhava Sandesh (28) Krishna tells His dear friend Uddhava, “In that Sahara Grama lives Upananda, when seen even from a great distance this place brings happiness to the eyes. When I was being brought to Mathura on the chariot, I had eaten very tasty pure butter there”.
