Shloka 38
Kṛṣṇa Comforts His Parents, Restores Ugrasena, Studies with Sāndīpani, and Returns the Guru’s Son
तथेत्यथारुह्य महारथौ रथं प्रभासमासाद्य दुरन्तविक्रमौ । वेलामुपव्रज्य निषीदतु: क्षणं सिन्धुर्विदित्वार्हणमाहरत्तयो: ॥ ३८ ॥
tethety athāruhya mahā-rathau rathaṁ prabhāsam āsādya duranta-vikramau velām upavrajya niṣīdatuḥ kṣanaṁ sindhur viditvārhanam āharat tayoḥ
“So be it,” replied the two mighty chariot warriors, and at once They mounted Their chariot and set out for Prabhāsa. Reaching there, They went to the seashore and sat for a moment. Then the deity of the ocean, recognizing Them as the Supreme Lords, quickly approached with offerings of homage.
Western scholars sometimes think that references in ancient books of wisdom to the deity of the ocean, the deity of the sun and so on reveal a primitive, mythical way of thinking. They sometimes say that primitive men think that the ocean is a god or that the sun and moon are gods. In fact, references such as the word sindhu in this verse, meaning “the ocean,” indicate the person who governs that aspect of physical nature.
FAQs
This verse presents Prabhāsa as a sacred place visited by Śrī Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma, where even the ocean recognizes their divinity and offers respectful worship.
Because the ocean understood who they truly were—supreme, irresistible heroes—so it responded in reverence by presenting arhaṇa (honorary offerings).
Approach holy places and moments of pause with reverence, recognizing the Lord’s presence everywhere; humility and honor toward the sacred invites devotion to deepen.