Shloka 7
Indra’s Prayers and the Coronation of Śrī Kṛṣṇa as Govinda
Govindābhiṣeka
ये मद्विधाज्ञा जगदीशमानिन-स्त्वां वीक्ष्य कालेऽभयमाशु तन्मदम् । हित्वार्यमार्गं प्रभजन्त्यपस्मयाईहा खलानामपि तेऽनुशासनम् ॥ ७ ॥
ye mad-vidhājñā jagad-īśa-māninas tvāṁ vīkṣya kāle ’bhayam āśu tan-madam hitvārya-mārgaṁ prabhajanty apasmayā īhā khalānām api te ’nuśāsanam
Even fools like me, proudly imagining ourselves lords of the universe, quickly abandon that arrogance when we behold You fearless even before Time, and we take up the noble path of spiritual progress. Thus Your punishment of the wicked is also Your instruction to them.
History is filled with examples of the supreme authority breaking the conceit of foolish men. Modern world leaders proudly fight one another, placing the common people in unprecedented jeopardy. Similarly Indra, proud of his apparently illustrious position, dared to threaten the lives of the innocent residents of Vṛndāvana with terrible weapons, until his arrogance was curbed by the dynamic response of the Supreme Lord.
FAQs
This verse shows that those who imagine themselves powerful (even like Indra) lose their arrogance when they truly see Kṛṣṇa’s fearless supremacy; the Lord’s correction is meant to remove pride and restore right understanding.
After being humbled by Kṛṣṇa during the Govardhana episode, Indra admits his ignorance and recognizes that Kṛṣṇa’s actions—even when they chastise—are meant to discipline and reform the proud and the wicked.
When success or authority creates arrogance, remember that power is temporary; accept correction with humility, return to dharma, and see setbacks as opportunities for inner reform.