Shloka 11
देवकी-विवाहः, आकाशवाणी, भूरभारावतरण-याचना, क्षीराब्धि-स्तुति, केशावतार-नियोजनम्
तथेत्य् आह च तं कंसो वसुदेवं द्विजोत्तम न घातयाम् आस च तां देवकीं तस्य गौरवात्
tathety āha ca taṃ kaṃso vasudevaṃ dvijottama na ghātayām āsa ca tāṃ devakīṃ tasya gauravāt
“So be it,” Kaṃsa said to Vasudeva, O best of the twice-born. Out of regard for him, he did not slay Devakī; though cruelty had seized his heart, he restrained his hand.
Sage Parāśara (narrating to Maitreya)
Speaker: Parasara
Topic: Kṛṣṇa’s advent and the circumstances leading to Kaṃsa’s oppression
Teaching: Historical
Quality: authoritative
Vishnu Form: Krishna
FAQs
This moment shows how providence can work through human hesitation: Devakī’s life is preserved, allowing the divine plan connected to Krishna’s birth to unfold.
Parāśara highlights that even a fearful, unrighteous ruler may exhibit restraint due to social bonds and honor—revealing dharma’s residual influence amid adharma.
The verse functions as narrative groundwork for Vishnu’s avatāra purpose: the Supreme Lord’s order is protected through seemingly ordinary causes, ensuring the preservation of the righteous line and the defeat of tyranny.