Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 31
Kṛṣṇa Kills Dantavakra; Balarāma’s Pilgrimage and the Slaying of Romaharṣaṇa
अजानतैवाचरितस्त्वया ब्रह्मवधो यथा । योगेश्वरस्य भवतो नाम्नायोऽपि नियामक: ॥ ३१ ॥ यद्येतद् ब्रह्महत्याया: पावनं लोकपावन । चरिष्यति भवाँल्लोकसङ्ग्रहोऽनन्यचोदित: ॥ ३२ ॥
ajānataivācaritas tvayā brahma-vadho yathā yogeśvarasya bhavato nāmnāyo ’pi niyāmakaḥ
“You have unknowingly killed a brāhmaṇa. Of course, even the injunctions of revealed scripture cannot dictate to You, the Lord of all mystic power. But if by Your own free will You nonetheless carry out the prescribed purification for this slaying of a brāhmaṇa, O purifier of the whole world, people in general will greatly benefit by Your example.”
FAQs
This verse acknowledges the gravity of brahmahatyā, yet points to Kṛṣṇa’s unique position as the supreme controller of the Vedic order, implying that His actions transcend ordinary karmic fault while still honoring dharma for the world’s instruction.
Because Kṛṣṇa is yogeśvara and the source behind scriptural law; the speaker highlights the paradox that although an apparent fault occurred, Kṛṣṇa ultimately governs the very rules by which faults are judged.
Take responsibility for harm done, honor ethical and spiritual guidelines, and seek purification through sincere rectification—while remembering that divine will is higher than our limited judgments.