Shloka 40
The Deliverance of Nalakūvara and Maṇigrīva
Yamala-Arjuna Līlā Prelude and Culmination
श्रीभगवानुवाच ज्ञातं मम पुरैवैतदृषिणा करुणात्मना । यच्छ्रीमदान्धयोर्वाग्भिर्विभ्रंशोऽनुग्रह: कृत: ॥ ४० ॥
śrī-bhagavān uvāca jñātaṁ mama puraivaitad ṛṣiṇā karuṇātmanā yac chrī-madāndhayor vāgbhir vibhraṁśo ’nugrahaḥ kṛtaḥ
Dijo el Señor Supremo: Todo esto lo supe desde el principio; el compasivo sabio Nārada lo dispuso de antemano. Vosotros dos, cegados por la embriaguez de la opulencia, recibisteis por su maldición el mayor favor; aunque caísteis de Svarga y os volvisteis árboles, fuisteis grandemente agraciados por él.
It is now confirmed by the Supreme Personality of Godhead that the curse of a devotee is also to be regarded as mercy. As Kṛṣṇa, God, is all-good, a Vaiṣṇava is also all-good. Whatever he does is good for everyone. This is explained in the following verse.
FAQs
This verse shows that the sage’s words, though appearing punitive, were intended as anugraha (mercy) to remove the intoxicated pride of those blinded by opulence.
Kṛṣṇa explains that He already knew Nārada’s merciful intention: the ‘downfall’ caused by the sage’s words was meant to reform and uplift the offenders, not merely to punish.
The shloka encourages seeing corrective reversals—especially those that reduce ego, addiction, or arrogance—as potential mercy that redirects one toward humility and spiritual growth.