Shloka 61
Parīkṣit’s Questions and the Prelude to Kṛṣṇa’s Advent
Earth’s Burden, Viṣṇu’s Order, and Kaṁsa’s Fear
तथेति सुतमादाय ययावानकदुन्दुभि: । नाभ्यनन्दत तद्वाक्यमसतोऽविजितात्मन: ॥ ६१ ॥
tatheti sutam ādāya yayāv ānakadundubhiḥ nābhyanandata tad-vākyam asato ’vijitātmanaḥ
Saying, “So be it,” Vasudeva, known as Ānakadundubhi, took his son and returned home. Yet because Kaṁsa was unprincipled and without self-control, Vasudeva could not trust his word.
FAQs
This verse highlights that a sinful person like Kaṁsa, being avijitātmā (not self-controlled), cannot feel peace or goodwill even when hearing agreeable words—showing how lack of mastery over the mind fuels fear and hostility.
Although Vasudeva agreed to comply, Kaṁsa’s inner insecurity and uncontrolled mind made him suspicious and agitated; his impiety prevented him from trusting or feeling relief.
When the mind is not governed, even good news feels threatening; cultivating self-control through bhakti practices (hearing, chanting, remembering) helps replace suspicion and fear with clarity and steadiness.