The Killing of Ariṣṭāsura and Kaṁsa’s Plot to Summon Kṛṣṇa
इत्याज्ञाप्यार्थतन्त्रज्ञ आहूय यदुपुङ्गवम् । गृहीत्वा पाणिना पाणिं ततोऽक्रूरमुवाच ह ॥ २७ ॥
ity ājñāpyārtha-tantra-jña āhūya yadu-puṅgavam gṛhītvā pāṇinā pāṇiṁ tato ’krūram uvāca ha
Nachdem er so seine Minister angewiesen hatte, ließ Kaṁsa, kundig darin, eigenen Vorteil zu sichern, Akrūra, den Vornehmsten der Yadus, rufen. Er nahm dessen Hand und sprach wie folgt.
This verse describes Kaṁsa as artha-tantra-jña—expert in statecraft—showing how he carefully plans and executes orders to further his aims.
Kaṁsa outwardly shows warmth and trust—holding Akrūra’s hand—while preparing to assign him a significant mission in the unfolding narrative.
It highlights how outward gestures can accompany serious responsibilities; a devotee learns discernment—judging situations by purpose and character, not merely appearances.