Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 61
The Yadu–Vṛṣṇi–Andhaka Genealogies and the Purpose of Kṛṣṇa’s Advent
कलौ जनिष्यमाणानां दु:खशोकतमोनुदम् । अनुग्रहाय भक्तानां सुपुण्यं व्यतनोद् यश: ॥ ६१ ॥
kalau janiṣyamāṇānāṁ duḥkha-śoka-tamo-nudam anugrahāya bhaktānāṁ supuṇyaṁ vyatanod yaśaḥ
To show causeless mercy to the devotees who would take birth in the future in this Age of Kali, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, acted in such a way that simply by remembering Him one will be freed from all the lamentation and unhappiness of material existence. [In other words, He acted so that all future devotees, by accepting the instructions of Kṛṣṇa consciousness stated in Bhagavad-gītā, could be relieved from the pangs of material existence.]
The Lord’s activities of saving the devotees and killing the demons ( paritrāṇāya sādhūnāṁ vināśāya ca duṣkṛtām ) take place side by side. Kṛṣṇa actually appears for the deliverance of the sādhus, or bhaktas, but by killing the demons He shows them mercy also, for anyone killed by Kṛṣṇa is liberated. Whether the Lord kills or gives protection, He is kind to both the demons and the devotees.
FAQs
This verse says the Lord’s supremely pious fame (His glories) dispels misery, lamentation, and the darkness of ignorance for those born in Kali-yuga, as a special mercy to devotees.
Because in Kali-yuga people are especially afflicted by sorrow and ignorance, and Śukadeva highlights that hearing and spreading the Lord’s glories is a divinely arranged mercy that purifies and uplifts devotees.
Regularly hear, chant, read, and share the Lord’s names and pastimes (Krishna-katha); the verse teaches that this practice gradually clears mental darkness and reduces grief by bringing spiritual clarity and devotion.