Shloka 3
Vasudeva Meets Nanda; Pūtanā’s Fall; Viṣṇu-Rakṣā (Protective Hymn) in Gokula
दत्तो हि वार्षिकः सर्वो भवद्भिर् नृपतेः करः यदर्थम् आगतास् तस्मान् नात्र स्थेयं महाधनाः
datto hi vārṣikaḥ sarvo bhavadbhir nṛpateḥ karaḥ yadartham āgatās tasmān nātra stheyaṃ mahādhanāḥ
Indeed, you have paid in full the king’s annual levy. Since the purpose for which you came has been fulfilled, O wealthy men, you should not remain here any longer.
A royal authority/attendant addressing wealthy taxpayers/merchants within the dynastic-kingship narrative (as related by Sage Parāśara to Maitreya)
Speaker: Parasara
Topic: Why the cowherds should depart after paying the levy and how events proceed toward Krishna’s concealment in Vraja
Teaching: Historical
Quality: matter-of-fact
Avatara: Krishna
Purpose: To protect the Vraja community from Kaṃsa’s oppressive control and to set the stage for the unfolding of His līlā away from the tyrant’s gaze.
Leela: Loka-rakshana
Dharma Restored: Proper social order where rulers protect rather than exploit, and communities live without fear
Concept: Worldly duties (such as paying lawful dues) should be completed promptly, and one should avoid needless entanglement in dangerous or morally compromised environments.
Vedantic Theme: Dharma
Application: Fulfill obligations efficiently, then disengage from toxic systems and seek safer, dharmic company.
Vishishtadvaita: Affirms dharma as lived social order under divine supervision—ethical action in the world supports devotion rather than opposing it.
Vishnu Form: Krishna
FAQs
This verse treats tax as a regulated annual duty—once the lawful levy is paid, subjects are not to be further detained—reflecting dharmic governance and orderly sovereignty.
Through reported speech within the dynasty narrative, royal authority is shown as administrative and procedural: it enforces due payment, then releases people, indicating restraint and rule-bound power.
Even in political episodes, the Purana’s worldview implies that righteous kingship and social order operate under Vishnu’s overarching sovereignty, where dharma functions as a manifestation of cosmic governance.