Shloka 52
इति स्वाघमनुस्मृत्य कृष्णे ते कृतहेलना: । दिदृक्षवो व्रजमथ कंसाद् भीता न चाचलन् ॥ ५२ ॥
iti svāgham anusmṛtya kṛṣṇe te kṛta-helanāḥ didṛkṣavo vrajam atha kaṁsād bhītā na cācalan
Thus, remembering the sin of neglecting Kṛṣṇa, they longed to see Him; yet, fearing Kaṁsa, they did not dare go to Vraja.
Realizing their offense against Lord Kṛṣṇa, and finally appreciating His almighty position, the brāhmaṇas naturally wanted to rush to Vraja and surrender at the lotus feet of the Lord. But they were afraid that Kaṁsa would certainly kill them when his spies reported that they had gone to Kṛṣṇa. The brāhmaṇas’ wives were absorbed in ecstatic Kṛṣṇa consciousness and thus went to Kṛṣṇa anyway, just as the gopīs, simply to dance with the Lord, traveled in the dead of night through a forest inhabited by wild animals. But the brāhmaṇas were not on such an advanced platform of Kṛṣṇa consciousness and thus, overcome by fear of Kaṁsa, could not see the Lord face to face.
FAQs
This verse shows that the brahmanas recognized their wrongdoing toward Kṛṣṇa and felt remorse, indicating that awareness of one’s offense and sincere longing to see and serve the Lord is a key step toward rectification.
Although they desired to see Kṛṣṇa in Vraja, fear of Kaṁsa’s power and retaliation restrained them, revealing how worldly fear can obstruct spiritual impulse even after remorse arises.
When we realize neglect or disrespect in our spiritual life, we should honestly acknowledge it and renew our desire for Kṛṣṇa—while also recognizing and overcoming practical fears that keep us from taking devotional steps.