Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 12
The Freed Kings Glorify Kṛṣṇa; Instruction on Kingship, Detachment, and Remembrance
वयं पुरा श्रीमदनष्टदृष्टयो जिगीषयास्या इतरेतरस्पृध: । घ्नन्त: प्रजा: स्वा अतिनिर्घृणा: प्रभो मृत्युं पुरस्त्वाविगणय्य दुर्मदा: ॥ १२ ॥ त एव कृष्णाद्य गभीररंहसा दुरन्तेवीर्येण विचालिता: श्रिय: । कालेन तन्वा भवतोऽनुकम्पया विनष्टदर्पाश्चरणौ स्मराम ते ॥ १३ ॥
vayaṁ purā śrī-mada-naṣṭa-dṛṣṭayo jigīṣayāsyā itaretara-spṛdhaḥ ghnantaḥ prajāḥ svā ati-nirghṛṇāḥ prabho mṛtyuṁ puras tvāvigaṇayya durmadāḥ
Previously, blinded by the intoxication of riches, we wanted to conquer this earth, and thus we fought one another to achieve victory, mercilessly harassing our own subjects. We arrogantly disregarded You, O Lord, who stood before us as death. But now, O Kṛṣṇa, that powerful form of Yours called time, moving mysteriously and irresistibly, has deprived us of our opulences. Now that You have mercifully destroyed our pride, we beg simply to remember Your lotus feet.
FAQs
This verse condemns pride born of opulence: it blinds judgment, breeds rivalry and cruelty, and makes one disregard inevitable death—whereas true safety lies in remembering the Lord.
Seeing Kṛṣṇa’s supremacy and mercy at Yudhiṣṭhira’s sacrifice, the kings recognize their past misdeeds and admit that their arrogance made them forget the Lord, so they seek His shelter.
Power, success, or status can cloud ethics; this verse urges honest self-audit, compassion toward those dependent on us, and steady remembrance of God to dissolve arrogance.