Shloka 74
कालियदमना: यमुनाशुद्धिः, करुणा-निग्रहः, स्तुति-तत्त्वम्
हतवीर्यो हतविषो दमितो ऽहं त्वयाच्युत जीवितं दीयताम् एकम् आज्ञापय करोमि किम्
hatavīryo hataviṣo damito 'haṃ tvayācyuta jīvitaṃ dīyatām ekam ājñāpaya karomi kim
My prowess is broken, my venom is spent, and I have been subdued by You, O Achyuta. Grant me but a single life; command me—what shall I do?
A defeated adversary addressing Lord Vishnu as Achyuta (speaker name not explicit in the provided verse)
Avatara: Krishna
Purpose: Krishna descends to subdue violent adharma and redirect hostile beings toward obedience and protection of the world.
Leela: Loka-rakshana
Dharma Restored: Non-violent containment of harm and restoration of safety for Vraja and the river’s inhabitants
Concept: True reformation begins when pride and harmful power are broken and one seeks guidance from the righteous ruler.
Vedantic Theme: Dharma
Application: When corrected, ask ‘what should I do now?’—turn remorse into concrete ethical change under wise counsel.
Vishishtadvaita: The Lord as compassionate sovereign: He subdues (nigraha) to enable uplift (anugraha), guiding the jīva toward proper service.
Vishnu Form: Krishna
Bhakti Type: Dasya
FAQs
The speaker openly admits defeat and asks for life only by Vishnu’s permission, modeling surrender where grace replaces self-reliance.
By depicting even a powerful opponent as “subdued” and dependent on Achyuta’s command, the text frames Vishnu as the ultimate controller of strength, fate, and survival.
“Achyuta” emphasizes Vishnu’s unfailing, unerring nature—his protection and judgment do not slip—supporting the Purana’s presentation of Vishnu as the Supreme Reality who grants or withholds life by divine will.