Shloka 21
Vasudeva and Devakī Glorify Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma; The Recovery of Devakī’s Six Sons from Sutala
श्रीशुक उवाच आकर्ण्येत्थं पितुर्वाक्यं भगवान् सात्वतर्षभ: । प्रत्याह प्रश्रयानम्र: प्रहसन् श्लक्ष्णया गिरा ॥ २१ ॥
śrī-śuka uvāca ākarṇyetthaṁ pitur vākyaṁ bhagavān sātvatarṣabhaḥ pratyāha praśrayānamraḥ prahasan ślakṣṇayā girā
Śukadeva Gosvāmī sprach: Als der Höchste Herr, Führer der Sātvatas, die Worte Seines Vaters so vernommen hatte, neigte Er demütig das Haupt und antwortete lächelnd mit sanfter Stimme.
Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī describes what Lord Kṛṣṇa thought after hearing His father glorify Him: “Vasudeva has been honored with the eternal role of My father, something even demigods like Brahma cannot aspire for. Therefore he shouldn’t be absorbed in thinking of My godly aspects. Moreover, his reverence greatly embarrasses Me. It was to avoid this very situation that, after killing Kaṁsa, I made a special effort to reinforce their pure parental love for Me and Balarāma. But now, unfortunately, the statements of these sages threaten to revive some of Vasudeva’s and Devakī’s previous awareness of My majesty.”
FAQs
This verse highlights that even Bhagavān Kṛṣṇa responds to His father with respectful humility, smiling and speaking softly—showing that gentle speech and deference are divine virtues.
After hearing Vasudeva’s words, Kṛṣṇa models ideal dharma by honoring His father, responding with respectful demeanor and pleasing speech, teaching how devotees should relate to elders.
Practice respectful listening, avoid harsh speech, and respond with humility—especially with parents, teachers, and elders—making communication a form of dharma and devotion.