Shloka 17
Kṛṣṇa Arrives at Kuṇḍina and Abducts Rukmiṇī
Rukmiṇī-haraṇa Prelude
तत्र शाल्वो जरासन्धो दन्तवक्रो विदूरथ: । आजग्मुश्चैद्यपक्षीया: पौण्ड्रकाद्या: सहस्रश: ॥ १७ ॥
tatra śālvo jarāsandho dantavakro vidūrathaḥ ājagmuś caidya-pakṣīyāḥ pauṇḍrakādyāḥ sahasraśaḥ
There arrived Śālva, Jarāsandha, Dantavakra and Vidūratha, and also Śiśupāla’s supporters—Pauṇḍraka and thousands of other kings.
Those familiar with the history of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s life will immediately recognize the names given in this text. The kings mentioned here maintained a deep animosity toward Śrī Kṛṣṇa and opposed Him in one way or another. But they were all to be frustrated and defeated on the occasion of Śiśupāla’s would-be wedding.
FAQs
This verse lists major opponents—Śālva, Jarāsandha, Dantavakra, and Vidūratha—along with thousands of allies aligned with Śiśupāla, including Pauṇḍraka.
They were politically and personally hostile to Kṛṣṇa; Śiśupāla’s camp gathered powerful kings who shared enmity toward Kṛṣṇa and sought to control the marriage alliance.
Even when opposition gathers in great numbers, devotion remembers that the Lord remains fully in control; faith stays steady amid social pressure and conflict.