Shloka 11
Aftermath of Gajendra’s Deliverance: Hūhū’s Release, Indradyumna’s Curse, and Sārūpya-mukti
श्रीशुक उवाच एवं शप्त्वा गतोऽगस्त्यो भगवान् नृप सानुग: । इन्द्रद्युम्नोऽपि राजर्षिर्दिष्टं तदुपधारयन् ॥ ११ ॥ आपन्न: कौञ्जरीं योनिमात्मस्मृतिविनाशिनीम् । हर्यर्चनानुभावेन यद्गजत्वेऽप्यनुस्मृति: ॥ १२ ॥
śrī-śuka uvāca evaṁ śaptvā gato ’gastyo bhagavān nṛpa sānugaḥ indradyumno ’pi rājarṣir diṣṭaṁ tad upadhārayan
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: O King, having thus cursed him, the venerable Agastya departed with his disciples. The rajarṣi Indradyumna, understanding it to be the will of the Supreme Lord, accepted that curse as auspicious.
This is the unique position of a devotee of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Although the King was cursed, he welcomed the curse because a devotee is always aware that nothing can happen without the desire of the Supreme Lord. Although the King was not at fault, Agastya Muni cursed him, and when this happened the King considered it to be due to his past misdeeds. Tat te ’nukampāṁ susamīkṣamāṇaḥ ( Bhāg. 10.14.8 ). This is a practical example of how a devotee thinks. He regards any reverses in life as blessings of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Therefore, instead of being agitated by such reverses, he continues his activities of devotional service, and Kṛṣṇa takes care of him and enables him to be promoted to the spiritual world, back to Godhead. If a devotee has to suffer the reactions of his past misdeeds, the Supreme Lord arranges for him to be given only a token of these reactions, and very soon he is freed from all the reactions of material contamination. One should therefore adhere to devotional service, and the Lord Himself will very soon see to one’s promotion to the spiritual world. A devotee should not be disturbed by unfortunate circumstances, but must continue his regular program, depending on the Lord for everything. The word upadhārayan, “considering,” is very significant in this verse. This word indicates that a devotee knows what is what; he understands what is happening in material, conditional life.
FAQs
This verse shows King Indradyumna accepting the result of the curse as providence (diṣṭa) and enduring it without resentment—an attitude praised in bhakti teachings.
In the narrative, Indradyumna’s momentary neglect of proper reception led Agastya to curse him; the verse highlights what followed—Agastya’s departure and Indradyumna’s calm acceptance of the ordained result.
Respond to setbacks without bitterness, take responsibility for what can be changed, and maintain devotion and integrity—like Indradyumna, who accepted the outcome and continued spiritually.