Shloka 28
या: कृष्णरामजन्मर्क्षे मनोदत्ता महामति: । ताश्चाददादनुस्मृत्य कंसेनाधर्मतो हृता: ॥ २८ ॥
yāḥ kṛṣṇa-rāma-janmarkṣe mano-dattā mahā-matiḥ tāś cādadād anusmṛtya kaṁsenādharmato hṛtāḥ
Then the magnanimous Vasudeva remembered the cows he had mentally offered in charity on the occasion of Kṛṣṇa’s and Balarāma’s birth. Kaṁsa had seized them unrighteously, and Vasudeva recovered them and gave them away in charity once again.
At the time of Kṛṣṇa’s appearance, Vasudeva had been imprisoned by Kaṁsa, who had stolen all his cows. Still, Vasudeva had been so jubilant at the birth of the Lord that he had mentally donated ten thousand of his cows to the brāhmaṇas.
FAQs
This verse highlights that offerings made with sincere intention—even first conceived mentally—remain spiritually significant, and a devotee like Akrura later fulfills them in action when circumstances allow.
Kaṁsa ruled through fear and adharma, confiscating others’ wealth; the verse notes that Akrura’s intended gifts were seized unrighteously, showing the contrast between tyranny and devotional integrity.
Keep your sacred intentions and promises, and when obstacles pass, complete them ethically—especially acts of charity and service—without being discouraged by temporary injustice.