Shloka 27
Parīkṣit’s Questions and the Prelude to Kṛṣṇa’s Advent
Earth’s Burden, Viṣṇu’s Order, and Kaṁsa’s Fear
शूरसेनो यदुपतिर्मथुरामावसन् पुरीम् । माथुराञ्छूरसेनांश्च विषयान् बुभुजे पुरा ॥ २७ ॥
śūraseno yadupatir mathurām āvasan purīm māthurāñ chūrasenāṁś ca viṣayān bubhuje purā
Formerly Śūrasena, chief of the Yadu dynasty, came to reside in the city of Mathurā; there he ruled and enjoyed the regions known as Māthura and Śūrasena.
FAQs
This verse notes that Mathurā was an established royal city ruled by Śūrasena, the Yadu leader, indicating Mathurā’s longstanding prominence before Krishna’s advent.
He is setting the historical and dynastic background of the Yadus and the Mathurā region, preparing the narrative stage for Krishna’s appearance in the same lineage and land.
It reminds readers that sacred events unfold within real histories and responsibilities—leadership, stewardship, and culture can become instruments for divine purpose when aligned with dharma.