Shloka 59
Parīkṣit’s Questions and the Prelude to Kṛṣṇa’s Advent
Earth’s Burden, Viṣṇu’s Order, and Kaṁsa’s Fear
दृष्ट्वा समत्वं तच्छौरे: सत्ये चैव व्यवस्थितिम् । कंसस्तुष्टमना राजन् प्रहसन्निदमब्रवीत् ॥ ५९ ॥
dṛṣṭvā samatvaṁ tac chaureḥ satye caiva vyavasthitim kaṁsas tuṣṭa-manā rājan prahasann idam abravīt
O King, seeing Vasudeva firmly established in truthfulness and perfectly equipoised as he handed over the child, Kaṁsa became pleased at heart; smiling, he spoke as follows.
The word samatvam is very significant in this verse. Samatvam refers to one who is always equipoised, unaffected by either happiness or distress. Vasudeva was so steadily equipoised that he did not seem in the least agitated when delivering his first-born child into the hands of Kaṁsa to be killed. In Bhagavad-gītā (2.56) it is said, duḥkheṣv anudvigna-manāḥ sukheṣu vigata-spṛhaḥ. In the material world, one should not be very eager to be happy, nor should one be very much disturbed by material distress. Lord Kṛṣṇa advised Arjuna:
FAQs
It highlights Vasudeva’s even-minded composure (samatva) and firm commitment to truth (satya), qualities that even Kaṁsa could recognize and appreciate.
Because Vasudeva’s calm impartiality and steadfast truthfulness impressed Kaṁsa, softening his mood momentarily and prompting him to address Vasudeva with apparent satisfaction before continuing the narrative.
Maintain inner steadiness and truthful integrity even under pressure—responding without agitation can influence others and keep one aligned with dharma.