Shloka 6
Kṛṣṇa Kills Dantavakra; Balarāma’s Pilgrimage and the Slaying of Romaharṣaṇa
तर्ह्यानृण्यमुपैम्यज्ञ मित्राणां मित्रवत्सल: । बन्धुरूपमरिं हत्वा व्याधिं देहचरं यथा ॥ ६ ॥
tarhy ānṛṇyam upaimy ajña mitrāṇāṁ mitra-vatsalaḥ bandhu-rūpam ariṁ hatvā vyādhiṁ deha-caraṁ yathā
“Then, O unintelligent one, I who am obliged to my friends will have repaid my debt to them by killing You, my enemy disguised as a relative, who are like a disease within my body.”
According to the ācāryas, the word ajña indicates that in comparison to Lord Kṛṣṇa, no one is more intelligent. Further, the word bandhu-rūpam indicates that Lord Kṛṣṇa is actually everyone’s true friend, and vyādhim indicates that Lord Kṛṣṇa is the Supersoul, the object of meditation within the heart, who takes away our mental distress. Furthermore, the ācāryas translate the word hatvā as jñātvā; in other words, by knowing Kṛṣṇa properly one can actually liberate all of one’s friends.
FAQs
This verse says such an enemy should be removed like a disease in the body—external appearance (as a ‘bandhu’) does not cancel hostile intent, and dharma may require decisive action.
Kṛṣṇa explains that protecting and repaying the loyalty of His allies is part of His righteous duty; by eliminating the threat, He fulfills His obligation to those who stood by Him.
Be loyal to genuine well-wishers, but set firm boundaries against harmful behavior—even when it comes from someone close—addressing it promptly like treating an illness.