Shloka 55
Parīkṣit’s Questions and the Prelude to Kṛṣṇa’s Advent
Earth’s Burden, Viṣṇu’s Order, and Kaṁsa’s Fear
श्रीशुक उवाच स्वसुर्वधान्निववृते कंसस्तद्वाक्यसारवित् । वसुदेवोऽपि तं प्रीत: प्रशस्य प्राविशद् गृहम् ॥ ५५ ॥
śrī-śuka uvāca svasur vadhān nivavṛte kaṁsas tad-vākya-sāra-vit vasudevo ’pi taṁ prītaḥ praśasya prāviśad gṛham
Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: Understanding the sound reasoning in Vasudeva’s words and trusting them fully, Kaṁsa refrained from killing his sister. Vasudeva, pleased with Kaṁsa, praised and further pacified him, and then entered his own home.
Although Kaṁsa was a sinful demon, he believed that Vasudeva would never deviate from his word. The character of a pure devotee like Vasudeva is such that even so great a demon as Kaṁsa firmly believed in his words and was satisfied. Yasyāsti bhaktir bhagavaty akiñcanā sarvair guṇais tatra samāsate surāḥ ( Bhāg. 5.18.12 ). All good attributes are present in a devotee, so much so that even Kaṁsa believed in Vasudeva’s words without a doubt.
FAQs
Because he grasped the essence of Devakī’s words and refrained from the immediate sin of killing his sister, even though his fear of the prophecy remained.
Vasudeva, relieved that Devakī was spared, spoke in a way that pacified Kaṁsa—praising his restraint—so the danger would not flare up again at that moment.
Even in tense situations, recognizing the “essence” of wise counsel and choosing restraint can prevent immediate harm; calm, respectful speech can de-escalate conflict.