Shloka 41
The Slaying of Narakāsura (Bhaumāsura), Rescue of the Princesses, and the Pārijāta Episode Begins
ययाच आनम्य किरीटकोटिभि: पादौ स्पृशन्नच्युतमर्थसाधनम् । सिद्धार्थ एतेन विगृह्यते महा- नहो सुराणां च तमो धिगाढ्यताम् ॥ ४१ ॥
yayāca ānamya kirīṭa-koṭibhiḥ pādau spṛśann acyutam artha-sādhanam siddhārtha etena vigṛhyate mahān aho surāṇāṁ ca tamo dhig āḍhyatām
Even after bowing to Lord Acyuta, touching His feet with the tips of his crown and begging fulfillment, Indra—his aim achieved—still chose to fight the Supreme Lord. Alas, what darkness of ignorance among the gods! To hell with their opulence!
It is well known that material wealth and power tend to produce arrogance, and thus an opulent life can often be the royal road to hell.
FAQs
It shows that Kṛṣṇa is artha-sādhana—the fulfiller of all aims—and that true resolution comes by bowing to and taking shelter of His lotus feet.
Because power, position, and success do not automatically remove ignorance; without pure devotion and humility, even exalted beings can act from pride and continue conflict despite receiving mercy.
Even after achieving one’s goal, one should not keep fighting out of ego; cultivate humility, gratitude, and conscious surrender to God to avoid being driven by tamas and pride.