Shloka 28
Hari’s Special Mercy, Śiva’s Quick Boons, and the Deliverance from Vṛkāsura
तं तथाव्यसनं दृष्ट्वा भगवान् वृजिनार्दन: । दूरात् प्रत्युदियाद् भूत्वा बटुको योगमायया ॥ २७ ॥ मेखलाजिनदण्डाक्षैस्तेजसाग्निरिव ज्वलन् । अभिवादयामास च तं कुशपाणिर्विनीतवत् ॥ २८ ॥
taṁ tathā vyasanaṁ dṛṣṭvā bhagavān vṛjinārdanaḥ dūrāt pratyudiyād bhūtvā baṭuko yoga-māyayā
In that bāṭuka guise, adorned with belt, deerskin, staff, and japa beads, the Lord blazed with firelike splendor; holding kuśa grass in His hand, He humbly greeted Vṛkāsura.
Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī quotes the disguised Lord Nārāyaṇa as saying, “For Us seers of the Absolute Truth, all created beings are worthy of respect. And since you are the son of Śakuni, a wise man and performer of great austerities, you certainly deserve the respectful greeting of a young brahmacārī like Myself.”
FAQs
In this verse, Kṛṣṇa uses His Yoga-māyā to assume the form of a young brahmacārī, showing that the Lord can conceal His identity to accomplish His divine purpose while remaining fully in control.
He takes a humble, ascetic form to approach the person in distress without provoking pride or fear, and to guide events through a respectful, dharmic interaction rather than overt display of supremacy.
Even when capable or powerful, one can approach others with courtesy and restraint—offering respect, speaking gently, and choosing the right “role” to help—so that guidance is received and suffering is eased.