Shloka 23
Kṛṣṇa Kills Dantavakra; Balarāma’s Pilgrimage and the Slaying of Romaharṣaṇa
अप्रत्युत्थायिनं सूतमकृतप्रह्वणाञ्जलिम् । अध्यासीनं च तान् विप्रांश्चुकोपोद्वीक्ष्य माधव: ॥ २३ ॥
apratyutthāyinaṁ sūtam akṛta-prahvaṇāñjalim adhyāsīnaṁ ca tān viprāṁś cukopodvīkṣya mādhavaḥ
Lord Balarāma became extremely angry upon seeing how this member of the sūta caste had failed to stand up, bow down or join his palms, and also how he was sitting above all the learned brāhmaṇas.
Romaharṣaṇa had failed to greet Lord Balarāma in any of the standard ways for welcoming a superior personality. Also, despite being of a lower caste, he sat in a seat above the assembly of exalted brāhmaṇas.
FAQs
This verse highlights dharmic conduct: one should rise, offer respectful obeisance, and greet properly—especially in the presence of the Lord and venerable brāhmaṇas.
Kṛṣṇa saw a lack of proper honor—no one stood up or offered folded-hand obeisance—so He reacted to the breach of respectful conduct (maryādā).
Practice humility and respect: acknowledge others sincerely, especially teachers, elders, and saintly persons—through attentive greeting, courteous speech, and appropriate gestures of honor.