Shloka 27
Kṛṣṇa Kills Dantavakra; Balarāma’s Pilgrimage and the Slaying of Romaharṣaṇa
एतदर्थो हि लोकेऽस्मिन्नवतारो मया कृत: । वध्या मे धर्मध्वजिनस्ते हि पातकिनोऽधिका: ॥ २७ ॥
etad-artho hi loke ’sminn avatāro mayā kṛtaḥ vadhyā me dharma-dhvajinas te hi pātakino ’dhikāḥ
Der eigentliche Zweck Meines Abstiegs in diese Welt ist es, solche Heuchler zu töten, die vorgeben, religiös zu sein. In der Tat sind sie die sündigsten Schurken.
Lord Balarāma was not prepared to overlook Romaharṣaṇa’s offense. The Lord had descended specifically to eliminate those who claim to be great religious leaders but do not even respect the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
FAQs
This verse says that those who display religion outwardly while acting sinfully—“dharma-dhvajinaḥ”—are considered especially blameworthy, and Kṛṣṇa declares such hypocrisy a key reason for His avatāra.
In the context of Canto 10, Kṛṣṇa explains that His descent is not only to protect devotees but also to remove destructive forces—particularly those who misuse dharma as a disguise for wrongdoing.
Practice integrity: align conduct with spiritual principles, avoid using religion for prestige or harm, and cultivate genuine devotion and ethical behavior rather than external display.