Shloka 12
वयं पुरा श्रीमदनष्टदृष्टयो जिगीषयास्या इतरेतरस्पृध: । घ्नन्त: प्रजा: स्वा अतिनिर्घृणा: प्रभो मृत्युं पुरस्त्वाविगणय्य दुर्मदा: ॥ १२ ॥ त एव कृष्णाद्य गभीररंहसा दुरन्तेवीर्येण विचालिता: श्रिय: । कालेन तन्वा भवतोऽनुकम्पया विनष्टदर्पाश्चरणौ स्मराम ते ॥ १३ ॥
vayaṁ purā śrī-mada-naṣṭa-dṛṣṭayo jigīṣayāsyā itaretara-spṛdhaḥ ghnantaḥ prajāḥ svā ati-nirghṛṇāḥ prabho mṛtyuṁ puras tvāvigaṇayya durmadāḥ
O Lord, formerly we were blinded by the intoxication of wealth; desiring to conquer this earth, we rivaled one another and, most mercilessly, tormented our own subjects. In arrogant madness we disregarded You, though You stood before us as death itself.
FAQs
This verse condemns pride born of opulence: it blinds judgment, breeds rivalry and cruelty, and makes one disregard inevitable death—whereas true safety lies in remembering the Lord.
Seeing Kṛṣṇa’s supremacy and mercy at Yudhiṣṭhira’s sacrifice, the kings recognize their past misdeeds and admit that their arrogance made them forget the Lord, so they seek His shelter.
Power, success, or status can cloud ethics; this verse urges honest self-audit, compassion toward those dependent on us, and steady remembrance of God to dissolve arrogance.