Shloka 40
The Deliverance of Nalakūvara and Maṇigrīva
Yamala-Arjuna Līlā Prelude and Culmination
श्रीभगवानुवाच ज्ञातं मम पुरैवैतदृषिणा करुणात्मना । यच्छ्रीमदान्धयोर्वाग्भिर्विभ्रंशोऽनुग्रह: कृत: ॥ ४० ॥
śrī-bhagavān uvāca jñātaṁ mama puraivaitad ṛṣiṇā karuṇātmanā yac chrī-madāndhayor vāgbhir vibhraṁśo ’nugrahaḥ kṛtaḥ
The Supreme Lord said: I knew all this from the very beginning. The compassionate sage Nārada, by his words of curse, truly bestowed the greatest mercy upon you two, who were blinded by the intoxication of opulence; though you fell from Svarga and became trees, you were greatly favored by him.
It is now confirmed by the Supreme Personality of Godhead that the curse of a devotee is also to be regarded as mercy. As Kṛṣṇa, God, is all-good, a Vaiṣṇava is also all-good. Whatever he does is good for everyone. This is explained in the following verse.
FAQs
This verse shows that the sage’s words, though appearing punitive, were intended as anugraha (mercy) to remove the intoxicated pride of those blinded by opulence.
Kṛṣṇa explains that He already knew Nārada’s merciful intention: the ‘downfall’ caused by the sage’s words was meant to reform and uplift the offenders, not merely to punish.
The shloka encourages seeing corrective reversals—especially those that reduce ego, addiction, or arrogance—as potential mercy that redirects one toward humility and spiritual growth.