Shloka 533
Samrāt-Lakṣaṇa and the Counsel to Check Jarāsandha (सम्राट्-लक्षणं जरासन्ध-प्रतिबाधा-परामर्शः)
सामर्थ्यवन्त: सम्बन्धाद् गोमन्तं समुपाश्रिता: । राजन्! हम जरासंधके अपराधी हैं, अतः शक्तिशाली होते हुए भी जिस स्थानसे हमारा सम्बन्ध था, उसे छोड़कर गोमान् (रैवतक) पर्वतके आश्रयमें आ गये हैं
sāmarthyavantaḥ sambandhād gomantaṃ samupāśritāḥ | rājan jarāsandhake 'parādhinaḥ sma ataḥ śaktimanto 'pi yasmin sthāne 'smākaṃ sambandha āsīt taṃ tyaktvā gomān (raivataka) parvataṃ śaraṇaṃ prāptāḥ |
Śrī Kṛṣṇa said: “O King, though we are capable and strong, because of our prior ties we have taken refuge on Mount Gomanta. We have incurred fault in relation to Jarāsandha; therefore, even with power on our side, we abandoned the place with which we were connected and came to seek shelter on the Gomān (Raivataka) mountain.”
श्रीकृष्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
Power alone does not justify remaining in a compromised position; when one has incurred fault or created enmity, prudence and responsibility may require withdrawal and seeking a safer refuge, aligning strength with ethical accountability and strategic restraint.
Kṛṣṇa addresses a king and explains why his party has taken shelter on Mount Gomanta (Raivataka): despite being strong, their prior entanglement and offense connected with Jarāsandha compelled them to abandon their earlier associated place and relocate for protection.