Shloka 72
कालियदमना: यमुनाशुद्धिः, करुणा-निग्रहः, स्तुति-तत्त्वम्
यद्य् अन्यथा प्रवर्तेयं देवदेव ततो मयि न्याय्यो दण्डनिपातो वै तवैव वचनं यथा
yady anyathā pravarteyaṃ devadeva tato mayi nyāyyo daṇḍanipāto vai tavaiva vacanaṃ yathā
If I should ever act contrary to what is right, O God of gods, then let punishment fall upon me in true justice—exactly as Your word decrees.
A devotee or subordinate addressing the Supreme Lord (Devadeva/Vishnu) in a tone of surrender; framed by Parasara’s narration to Maitreya
Avatara: Krishna
Purpose: Krishna descends to protect the world by subduing destructive forces and restoring dharmic order through compassionate yet decisive līlā.
Leela: Loka-rakshana
Dharma Restored: Protection of the community and purification of the sacred river, re-establishing rightful conduct under divine sovereignty
Concept: Accepting divine justice, one should submit to rightful punishment rather than defend adharma.
Vedantic Theme: Dharma
Application: Cultivate accountability: when wrong, accept consequences and realign conduct with dharma instead of rationalizing harm.
Vishishtadvaita: The Lord’s governance is personal and moral: His command is the normative order that directs the soul’s conduct.
Vishnu Form: Krishna
Bhakti Type: Dasya
FAQs
It presents dharma as submission to divine law: if one deviates, punishment is not cruelty but a just restoration of order under Vishnu’s sovereignty.
By placing a vow-like statement in the mouth of a speaker addressing Devadeva, the narrative shows that right conduct is measured against the Lord’s command, not personal convenience.
Vishnu is implied as the final authority whose word establishes justice; obedience to him becomes the standard for righteousness and the correction of wrongdoing.