Shloka 1
Kṛṣṇa Kills Dantavakra; Balarāma’s Pilgrimage and the Slaying of Romaharṣaṇa
श्रीशुक उवाच शिशुपालस्य शाल्वस्य पौण्ड्रकस्यापि दुर्मति: । परलोकगतानां च कुर्वन् पारोक्ष्यसौहृदम् ॥ १ ॥ एक: पदाति: सङ्क्रुद्धो गदापाणि: प्रकम्पयन् । पद्भ्यामिमां महाराज महासत्त्वो व्यदृश्यत ॥ २ ॥
śrī-śuka uvāca śiśupālasya śālvasya pauṇḍrakasyāpi durmatiḥ para-loka-gatānāṁ ca kurvan pārokṣya-sauhṛdam
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: O great King, though Śiśupāla, Śālva, and Pauṇḍraka had already gone to the next world, the wicked Dantavakra, professing friendship for them from afar, appeared on the battlefield in towering rage. Alone, on foot, club in hand, he seemed to shake the earth with his steps.
FAQs
This verse highlights a person who, despite hostility toward certain kings, shows indirect or performative goodwill after their death—warning that outward friendliness can conceal inner envy.
He references well-known adversaries connected to Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes to frame the character of the present antagonist—someone whose alliances and ‘friendships’ are politically motivated rather than sincere.
Judge relationships by consistent character and actions, not by public displays—especially when praise appears only after someone is absent or unable to respond.