Shloka 8
Indra’s Prayers and the Coronation of Śrī Kṛṣṇa as Govinda
Govindābhiṣeka
स त्वं ममैश्वर्यमदप्लुतस्यकृतागसस्तेऽविदुष: प्रभावम् । क्षन्तुं प्रभोऽथार्हसि मूढचेतसोमैवं पुनर्भून्मतिरीश मेऽसती ॥ ८ ॥
sa tvaṁ mamaiśvarya-mada-plutasya kṛtāgasas te ’viduṣaḥ prabhāvam kṣantuṁ prabho ’thārhasi mūḍha-cetaso maivaṁ punar bhūn matir īśa me ’satī
Intoxicated by pride in my dominion, and ignorant of Your majesty, I committed an offense against You. O Lord, please forgive me. My intelligence was bewildered; O Īśa, may my consciousness never again become so impure.
Although Lord Kṛṣṇa protected the residents of Vraja by lifting Govardhana Hill, He had not yet punished Indra himself, and Indra feared that at any moment Śrī Kṛṣṇa might call the son of Vivasvān, Yamarāja, who punishes impudent persons who defy the laws of God.
FAQs
This verse shows that intoxication with authority (aiśvarya-mada) leads to offense and delusion, and that true wisdom is to recognize the Lord’s supremacy and seek forgiveness with humility.
After sending destructive rains out of pride and being checked by Krishna’s protection of Vraja, Indra realizes his offense and admits he acted in ignorance of Krishna’s true greatness.
It teaches self-correction: when ego or status causes harm, one should admit fault, seek forgiveness, and pray that the same unhealthy mentality does not return.