Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 22
The Disappearance of the Yadu Dynasty and Lord Kṛṣṇa’s Departure
प्रत्यनीकं मन्यमाना बलभद्रं च मोहिता: । हन्तुं कृतधियो राजन्नापन्ना आततायिन: ॥ २२ ॥
pratyanīkaṁ manyamānā balabhadraṁ ca mohitāḥ hantuṁ kṛta-dhiyo rājann āpannā ātatāyinaḥ
O King, bewildered by delusion, they even mistook Lord Balarāma for an enemy. Weapons in hand, intent on killing Him, they rushed toward Him like murderous assailants.
FAQs
This verse shows that delusion can so overpower the mind that people misidentify even Lord Balarāma as an enemy and become resolved to commit violence, illustrating moha’s power to distort perception and lead to grave offense.
In the Prabhāsa episode, by the Lord’s arrangement the Yādavas became bewildered and hostile; under that delusion they saw Balarāma as an opposing force and advanced with murderous intent.
Pause before reacting, examine whether anger or group-think is shaping your view, and seek clarity through sādhana—hearing scripture, prayer, and the counsel of sādhus—so you don’t mistake the innocent or the holy for an enemy.