Shloka 2
पारिजातहरणम्, द्वारकाप्रवेशः, षोडशसहस्रविवाहः
Pārijāta, Return to Dvārakā, and the Lord’s Many Forms
देवराजो भवान् इन्द्रो वयं मर्त्या जगत्पते क्षन्तव्यं भवतैवैतद् अपराधकृतं मम
devarājo bhavān indro vayaṃ martyā jagatpate kṣantavyaṃ bhavataivaitad aparādhakṛtaṃ mama
You are Indra, sovereign of the gods; we are but mortals, O Lord of the worlds. Therefore, you alone must forgive this fault that has been committed by me.
A mortal supplicant addressing Indra (Devaraja) in a plea for forgiveness (as narrated within the Vishnu Purana’s ongoing discourse).
Speaker: Parasara
Teaching: Devotional
Quality: revealing
Avatara: Krishna
Purpose: He receives the surrender of even Indra, teaching that forgiveness and protection flow from the Lord of the worlds.
Leela: Dharma-upadesa
Dharma Restored: Humility (amanitva), confession of fault, and restoration of right conduct toward Bhagavan.
Concept: True devotion includes humility and seeking forgiveness from the Jagatpati, recognizing the limits of deva-status and the primacy of Bhagavan’s grace.
Vedantic Theme: Dharma
Application: Admit faults without defensiveness, seek pardon through prayer and corrective action, and cultivate humility regardless of status or achievement.
Vishishtadvaita: Dependence (śeṣatva) of all beings—even devas—upon the Lord’s grace, consistent with Vishnu as supreme ruler.
Vishnu Form: Hari
Bhakti Type: Dasya
FAQs
It highlights cosmic hierarchy—Indra governs the devas, while mortals acknowledge their lesser station and seek protection or pardon through rightful authority.
Forgiveness is presented as a mark of true lordship: the higher power is asked to restrain anger and restore order by pardoning an admitted offense.
Even when addressing a deva like Indra, the Purana’s worldview treats governance as part of a larger sacred order—where rightful power is measured by dharma, including mercy and restraint.