Shloka 69
Parīkṣit’s Questions and the Prelude to Kṛṣṇa’s Advent
Earth’s Burden, Viṣṇu’s Order, and Kaṁsa’s Fear
उग्रसेनं च पितरं यदुभोजान्धकाधिपम् । स्वयं निगृह्य बुभुजे शूरसेनान् महाबल: ॥ ६९ ॥
ugrasenaṁ ca pitaraṁ yadu-bhojāndhakādhipam svayaṁ nigṛhya bubhuje śūrasenān mahā-balaḥ
The mighty Kaṁsa seized and imprisoned his own father, Ugrasena, lord of the Yadu, Bhoja, and Andhaka dynasties, and personally ruled the lands of Śūrasena.
The state known as Mathurā was also included within the states known as Śūrasena.
FAQs
This verse states that Kaṁsa, though powerful, acted irreligiously by subduing and effectively imprisoning his own father Ugrasena and seizing the rule of the Śūrasenas.
He is setting the historical and moral backdrop for Krishna’s advent—showing how adharma (tyranny and usurping rightful rule) spread in Mathurā under Kaṁsa.
It warns against power gained through injustice—especially betraying family, duty, and rightful authority—and encourages leadership rooted in dharma rather than domination.