Shloka 15
Chapter 54
अधुनापि वयं सर्वे वीर-यूथप-यूथपाः । पराजिताः फल्गु-तन्त्रैर् यदुभिः कृष्ण-पालितैः ॥
adhunāpi vayaṃ sarve vīra-yūthapa-yūthapāḥ / parājitāḥ phalgu-tantrair yadubhiḥ kṛṣṇa-pālitaiḥ //
Even now, all of us—leaders of heroic battalions—have been defeated by the Yadus, though their tactics were insignificant, because they are protected by Kṛṣṇa.
This verse highlights a recurring theme of the Tenth Canto: Kṛṣṇa’s protection overturns ordinary calculations of power. The speaker laments that despite commanding “heroic battalions,” their side was routed by the Yadus—whom he dismisses as using “paltry” or “feeble” strategy. The deeper point is that victory and defeat are not merely products of numbers, weapons, or clever maneuvers; when the Supreme Lord stands behind His devotees, even seemingly small forces become unconquerable. The verse also exposes the psychology of the proud: rather than admit the moral and spiritual strength of the Yadus (and Kṛṣṇa’s divine will), the speaker minimizes their competence. Śrīmad Bhāgavatam repeatedly teaches that surrender to Kṛṣṇa is the real source of fearlessness and success, while opposition to Him—however well-armed—ends in frustration. Devotion, not material might, is the decisive factor in the Lord’s līlā.
FAQs
This verse states that the Yadus prevailed not due to impressive tactics, but because they were protected by Kṛṣṇa—showing divine protection as the true cause of victory.
He speaks from wounded pride, trying to explain his defeat by minimizing the opponent’s skill, while the text points to Kṛṣṇa’s protection as the real reason.
Rely on sincere devotion and righteous conduct rather than mere strategy and force; spiritual alignment brings steadiness and unexpected support in adversity.