Shloka 17
Yoga-māyā Appears as Durgā; Kaṁsa’s Repentance and the Demonic Policy of Persecuting Vaiṣṇavas
दैवमप्यनृतं वक्ति न मर्त्या एव केवलम् । यद्विश्रम्भादहं पाप: स्वसुर्निहतवाञ्छिशून् ॥ १७ ॥
daivam apy anṛtaṁ vakti na martyā eva kevalam yad-viśrambhād ahaṁ pāpaḥ svasur nihatavāñ chiśūn
Alas, not only human beings but sometimes even providence lies. And I am so sinful that I believed the omen of providence and killed so many of my sister’s children.
FAQs
This verse shows that even if one blames fate or prophecy, the moral burden of sinful acts—like harming innocents—still rests on the doer, as Kaṁsa admits his wrongdoing.
After hearing misleading or fear-inducing assurances, Kaṁsa reflects that his trust in such ‘daiva’ led him to commit grave sins—killing Devakī’s infants—revealing his anxiety and self-justification mixed with remorse.
Do not hide behind “destiny” or external claims to excuse harmful choices; act with conscience and accountability, especially when fear or rumors push one toward cruelty.