Shloka 16
Indra’s Prayers and the Coronation of Śrī Kṛṣṇa as Govinda
Govindābhiṣeka
मामैश्वर्यश्रीमदान्धो दण्डपाणिं न पश्यति । तं भ्रंशयामि सम्पद्भ्यो यस्य चेच्छाम्यनुग्रहम् ॥ १६ ॥
mām aiśvarya-śrī-madāndho daṇḍa pāṇiṁ na paśyati taṁ bhraṁśayāmi sampadbhyo yasya cecchāmy anugraham
One blinded by the intoxication of power and opulence cannot see Me nearby, holding the rod of punishment. If I desire his true welfare, I pull him down from his materially fortunate position.
One may argue, “God should desire everyone’s real welfare; therefore why should Lord Kṛṣṇa state in this verse that He removes the intoxicating opulence of one who is about to receive His mercy, rather than simply stating that He will remove everyone’s opulence and bless everyone?” On the other hand, we may point out that irrevocable death occurs for everyone, and thus Lord Kṛṣṇa does take away everyone’s opulence and everyone’s false pride. However, if we apply the Lord’s statement to events within one’s immediate life, before death, we may refer to Kṛṣṇa’s statement in the Bhagavad-gītā (4.11) : ye yathā māṁ prapadyante tāṁs tathaiva bhajāmy aham. “As people surrender to Me, I reward them accordingly.” Lord Kṛṣṇa desires everyone’s welfare, but when He says here yasya cecchāmy anugraham, “for one whose welfare I desire,” it is understood that the Lord refers to those who by their own activities and thoughts have manifested a desire to achieve spiritual benefit. Lord Kṛṣṇa wants everyone to be happy in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, but when He sees that a specific person also desires spiritual happiness, the Lord especially desires it for that person. This is a natural act of reciprocation consistent with the Lord’s statement samo ’haṁ sarva-bhūteṣu : “I am equal in My attitude to all living beings.” ( Bg. 9.29 )
FAQs
This verse says that intoxication with opulence blinds a person to God’s authority, and Krishna may remove that prosperity to bestow mercy and restore humility.
After the Govardhana pastime, Krishna explains the spiritual danger of pride (as seen in Indra) and teaches that loss of opulence can be a form of divine correction and grace.
Treat success as stewardship, not entitlement; cultivate humility and gratitude, and if setbacks come, use them to deepen devotion and reduce ego-driven living.