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Shloka 20

The Vraja Elders Question Kṛṣṇa’s Identity; Nanda Recounts Garga’s Prophecy

पुरानेन व्रजपते साधवो दस्युपीडिता: । अराजके रक्ष्यमाणा जिग्युर्दस्यून्समेधिता: ॥ २० ॥

purānena vraja-pate sādhavo dasyu-pīḍitāḥ arājake rakṣyamāṇā jigyur dasyūn samedhitāḥ

O Nanda, Herr von Vraja, wie es in den alten Überlieferungen heißt: Als die Regierung unordentlich und unfähig war und rechtschaffene Menschen von Räubern bedrängt wurden, erschien dieses Kind, um die Schurken zu zügeln und das Volk zu schützen, damit es gedeihen könne.

purānenaby ancient precedent
purānena:
Karaṇa (करण)
TypeNoun
Rootpurāṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (Instrumental), एकवचन; ‘by an ancient (custom/precedent)’
vraja-pateO lord of Vraja
vraja-pate:
Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
TypeNoun
Rootvraja (प्रातिपदिक) + pati (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (Vocative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: ‘lord of Vraja’
sādhavaḥthe virtuous
sādhavaḥ:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootsādhu (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; ‘good people’
dasyu-pīḍitāḥoppressed by bandits
dasyu-pīḍitāḥ:
Karta-samānādhikaraṇa (कर्तृ-समानाधिकरण)
TypeAdjective
Rootdasyu (प्रातिपदिक) + pīḍita (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; क्त-प्रत्यय (PPP) ‘oppressed’; तत्पुरुष: ‘oppressed by bandits’
arājakewhen there was no king
arājake:
Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
TypeAdjective
Roota-rājaka (प्रातिपदिक)
Formनपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (Locative), एकवचन; विशेषण: ‘in a kingless (state)’
rakṣyamāṇāḥbeing protected
rakṣyamāṇāḥ:
Karta-samānādhikaraṇa (कर्तृ-समानाधिकरण)
TypeAdjective
Rootrakṣ (धातु) + rakṣyamāṇa (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
Formवर्तमानकृदन्त (present passive participle/शानच्), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; ‘being protected’
jigyuḥthey conquered
jigyuḥ:
Kriyā (क्रिया)
TypeVerb
Rootji (धातु)
Formलिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन; परस्मैपद; ‘they conquered’
dasyūnbandits
dasyūn:
Karma (कर्म)
TypeNoun
Rootdasyu (प्रातिपदिक)
Formपुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन
samedhitāḥhaving become strong
samedhitāḥ:
Karta-samānādhikaraṇa (कर्तृ-समानाधिकरण)
TypeAdjective
Rootsam√edh (धातु) + samedhita (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
Formभूतकृदन्त (PPP/क्त), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; ‘strengthened, well-equipped/prospered’
N
Nanda Mahārāja

FAQs

This verse states that even without a ruler, saintly people can protect themselves through unity, resolve, and practical strength, ultimately overcoming aggressors.

He speaks to Nanda Mahārāja as the leader of Vraja, highlighting Nanda’s responsibility to safeguard the community and reassuring him with an ancient precedent.

Cultivate community support, preparedness, and principled courage—so that even when external systems fail, one can uphold dharma and resist harmful influences.