Shloka 33
भाण्डीरवट-क्रीडा: प्रलम्बासुरवधः, मानुष्यलीला, एक-कारण-तत्त्वम्
तत् स्मर्यताम् अमेयात्मंस् त्वयात्मा जहि दानवम् मानुष्यम् एवावलम्ब्य बन्धूनां क्रियतां हितम्
tat smaryatām ameyātmaṃs tvayātmā jahi dānavam mānuṣyam evāvalambya bandhūnāṃ kriyatāṃ hitam
Remember, O one of immeasurable Self: by your own Self, strike down the Daitya. Taking refuge in a human form alone, accomplish what is beneficial for your kinsmen.
A kinsman/ally addressing a divine or heroic figure within the dynastic narrative (as recounted by Sage Parāśara to Maitreya).
Avatara: Krishna
Purpose: Krishna directs divine strength to remove the daitya threat endangering the cowherd community and restore safety and dharma in Vraja.
Leela: Loka-rakshana
Dharma Restored: Protection of the innocent and restoration of communal order among Krishna’s kinsmen.
Concept: Remembering one’s true divine strength, one should act decisively to remove harm and secure the welfare of one’s community.
Vedantic Theme: Dharma
Application: In crises, ground yourself in higher purpose, then take practical protective action for family/community rather than remaining passive.
Vishishtadvaita: Divine immanence empowers righteous action through embodied instruments (human form as līlā-vehicle).
Vishnu Form: Krishna
Bhakti Type: Sakhya
Antaryamin: Yes
FAQs
This verse frames human embodiment as a deliberate divine strategy: power remains transcendent, yet action is performed within human limits to protect dharma and secure the welfare of one’s people.
Through brief, command-like exhortations such as this, the narrative shows that decisive victories over adharma occur by inner sovereignty (“by your own Self”), even when the actor appears human within the royal lineage setting.
The language of the “immeasurable Self” underscores supreme lordship: the defeat of demonic forces is not merely heroic prowess, but the restoration of cosmic order by a higher, governing Reality.