Kṛṣṇa Kills Dantavakra; Balarāma’s Pilgrimage and the Slaying of Romaharṣaṇa
श्रीभगवानुवाच चरिष्ये वधनिर्वेशं लोकानुग्रहकाम्यया । नियम: प्रथमे कल्पे यावान् स तु विधीयताम् ॥ ३३ ॥
śrī-bhagavān uvāca cariṣye vadha-nirveśaṁ lokānugraha-kāmyayā niyamaḥ prathame kalpe yāvān sa tu vidhīyatām
The Personality of Godhead said: I will certainly perform the atonement for this killing, since I wish to show compassion to the people in general. Please, therefore, prescribe for Me whatever ritual is to be done first.
This verse shows Kṛṣṇa voluntarily accepting the same religious regulations established at creation, to guide society and demonstrate dharma through His own conduct.
Kṛṣṇa explains that He will “act out” the apparent consequence of killing for the world’s welfare (lokānugraha), teaching that even powerful leaders should respect moral and scriptural law.
Act responsibly even when you could bypass rules—model integrity, accept accountability, and choose actions that uplift others rather than merely asserting power.