Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 23
The Slaying of Śālva and the Destruction of Saubha
निशम्य विप्रियं कृष्णो मानुषीं प्रकृतिं गत: । विमनस्को घृणी स्नेहाद् बभाषे प्राकृतो यथा ॥ २३ ॥
niśamya vipriyaṁ kṛṣṇo mānusīṁ prakṛtiṁ gataḥ vimanasko ghṛṇī snehād babhāṣe prākṛto yathā
When He heard this disturbing news, Lord Kṛṣṇa, who was playing the role of a mortal man, showed sorrow and compassion, and out of love for His parents He spoke the following words like an ordinary conditioned soul.
FAQs
This verse explains that Kṛṣṇa, within His līlā, assumes a human-like disposition and speaks like an ordinary person, even while remaining the Supreme—revealing His compassionate, intimate dealings with devotees.
Because He had heard distressing words and, out of affectionate concern, He adopted a human-like mood—an aspect of His līlā that deepens the realism of the pastimes and His relational closeness.
A devotee can learn to respond to painful news with empathy and steadiness—speaking gently and supportively—while keeping faith that the Divine remains in control beyond shifting emotions.