Shloka 16
साम्ब-हरणम्, बलदेवस्य रोषः, हस्तिनापुर-आकर्षणम्
प्रणतिर् या कृतास्माकं मान्यानां कुकुरान्धकैः ननाम सा कृता केयम् आज्ञा स्वामिनि भृत्यतः
praṇatir yā kṛtāsmākaṃ mānyānāṃ kukurāndhakaiḥ nanāma sā kṛtā keyam ājñā svāmini bhṛtyataḥ
That reverent bow which the Kukuras and Andhakas once offered to us, their honored elders, has now been forced low. What command is this, O lord, that a servant dares to lay upon his master?
A senior/elder party speaking within the dynastic narrative (as recounted by Sage Parāśara to Maitreya); the verse voices aristocratic indignation at a subordinate’s presumption
Speaker: Parasara
Teaching: Historical
Quality: authoritative
Avatara: Krishna
Purpose: Krishna descends to uphold dharma among the Yadus and the wider world by restraining adharma and protecting his devotees and kin.
Leela: Yuddha
Dharma Restored: Kshatriya maryādā (proper conduct), respect for elders, and the inviolability of kin and guests.
Concept: When social and familial hierarchies are inverted through arrogance, it signals adharma and invites corrective action.
Vedantic Theme: Dharma
Application: Maintain humility and boundaries in relationships; do not mistake familiarity for license to dishonor elders or benefactors.
Vishishtadvaita: Dharma is upheld as Bhagavān’s will in society; violations against devotees/kin are treated as offenses against the divine order.
Vamsha: Chandra
Key Kings: Kurus
Vishnu Form: Krishna
FAQs
The verse frames social and royal order as a dharmic hierarchy: a servant issuing commands to a master is portrayed as a disruption of rightful protocol and honor.
Through courtly speech and lineage episodes, Parāśara shows how pride, insult, and inverted authority trigger conflict—illustrating how dharma is maintained or broken in royal houses.
Even when Vishnu is not named in the verse, the Purana’s dynastic histories are presented under Vishnu’s overarching sovereignty—human power and status are meaningful only insofar as they align with dharma sustained by the Supreme.