Shloka 9
Chapter 54
हन्यमान-बलानीका वृष्णिभिर् जय-काङ्क्षिभिः ।
राजानो विमुखा जग्मुर् जरासन्ध-पुरःसराः ॥
hanyamāna-balānīkā vṛṣṇibhir jaya-kāṅkṣibhiḥ / rājāno vimukhā jagmur jarāsandha-puraḥ-sarāḥ //
As their military divisions were cut down by the victory-seeking Vṛṣṇis, the kings turned their backs and fled—Jarāsandha leading the retreat.
This verse highlights the decisive superiority of Kṛṣṇa’s party—here represented by the Vṛṣṇis—over the coalition of worldly monarchs. Though many kings had assembled with pride, numbers and prestige collapse when confronted by determined, dharma-aligned warriors protected by the Lord’s will. Jarāsandha, famous for repeatedly opposing Kṛṣṇa, is described as going in front—yet now as the leader of withdrawal, not conquest. The Bhagavatam repeatedly teaches that material power, alliances, and political calculation cannot stand before bhakti-supported righteousness. When one opposes Bhagavān and His devotees, the result is not merely defeat but loss of heart (utsāha) and direction; conversely, those who stand with the Lord gain fearless momentum. For the sādhaka, the scene is also internal: when devotion becomes “jaya-kāṅkṣī”—eager to conquer anarthas—negative tendencies and their ‘allies’ are forced to retreat.
FAQs
In this verse, the allied kings’ armies are shattered by the Vṛṣṇis, and the kings retreat with Jarāsandha leading them—showing that opposition to Kṛṣṇa’s side ends in reversal and flight.
Because they are determined to protect Kṛṣṇa’s purpose and uphold dharma; their resolve contrasts with the wavering morale of the opposing kings once defeat begins.
When devotion becomes firm and purposeful, destructive habits and doubts lose strength and ‘retreat’; align with dharma and steady practice rather than relying on pride or external support.