Shloka 53
यादवक्षयः, बलराम-निर्याणम्, कृष्णस्य उपसंहारः (प्रभासे विनाशः)
निर्याणं बलभद्रस्य यादवानां तथा क्षयम् योगे स्थित्वाहम् अप्य् एतत् परित्यक्ष्ये कलेवरम्
niryāṇaṃ balabhadrasya yādavānāṃ tathā kṣayam yoge sthitvāham apy etat parityakṣye kalevaram
“The departure of Balabhadra, and likewise the destruction of the Yādavas, are now at hand. Established in Yoga, I too shall abandon this body.”
Sage Parāśara (narrating to Maitreya; conveying Krishna’s declared intention in context)
Avatara: Krishna
Purpose: Having fulfilled his mission, Kṛṣṇa announces the imminent end of the Yādavas and his own yogic departure from the body.
Leela: Moksha-dana
Dharma Restored: Restoration of cosmic balance by withdrawing divine power from the world at the destined time
Concept: Established in yoga, the wise relinquish identification with the body, treating embodiment as a temporary vesture.
Vedantic Theme: Moksha
Application: Practice steady meditation and non-attachment so that change and loss are met with inner poise.
Vishishtadvaita: Liberation is attained by the Lord’s grace to the surrendered soul; yogic steadiness supports prapatti/bhakti rather than negating the reality of the self.
Vamsha: Chandra
Dharma Exemplar: Vairāgya (detached yogic relinquishment)
Key Kings: Balabhadra
Vishnu Form: Krishna
Bhakti Type: Shanta
Vyuha Form: Vasudeva
FAQs
This verse marks the deliberate closing of Krishna’s earthly līlā: Balabhadra departs, the Yadava line is withdrawn, and the world transitions toward Kali-yuga conditions—showing divine sovereignty over dynastic rise and dissolution.
In the dialogue framework, Parāśara presents it as a yogic, voluntary withdrawal—Krishna remains the Supreme Lord, yet ends the manifested embodiment as part of cosmic timing and order.
The verse emphasizes that the Lord’s embodiment is not compulsion but will: established in Yoga, he chooses to conclude the avatāra-līlā, underscoring Vishnu’s supremacy over life, death, and historical cycles.