Shloka 15
Bhīṣmadeva’s Passing Away in the Presence of Lord Kṛṣṇa
यत्र धर्मसुतो राजा गदापाणिर्वृकोदर: । कृष्णोऽस्त्री गाण्डिवं चापं सुहृत्कृष्णस्ततो विपत् ॥ १५ ॥
yatra dharma-suto rājā gadā-pāṇir vṛkodaraḥ kṛṣṇo ’strī gāṇḍivaṁ cāpaṁ suhṛt kṛṣṇas tato vipat
¡Qué asombroso es el poder del Tiempo inevitable! Pues, de otro modo, ¿cómo habría reveses donde están el rey Yudhiṣṭhira, hijo del señor del dharma; Bhīma, de maza en mano; Arjuna, arquero del Gāṇḍīva; y, sobre todo, el Señor Śrī Kṛṣṇa, bienqueriente directo de los Pāṇḍavas?
As far as the material or spiritual resources were required, there was no scarcity in the case of the Pāṇḍavas. Materially they were well equipped because two great warriors, namely Bhīma and Arjuna, were there. Spiritually the King himself was the symbol of religion, and above all of them the Personality of Godhead, Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, was personally concerned with their affairs as the well-wisher. And yet there were so many reverses on the side of the Pāṇḍavas. Despite the power of pious acts, the power of personalities, the power of expert management and the power of weapons under the direct supervision of Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Pāṇḍavas suffered so many practical reverses, which can only be explained as due to the influence of kāla, inevitable time. Kāla is identical with the Lord Himself, and therefore the influence of kāla indicates the inexplicable wish of the Lord Himself. There is nothing to be lamented when a matter is beyond the control of any human being.
FAQs
This verse teaches that when Śrī Kṛṣṇa is present as the intimate well-wisher of His devotees, calamity cannot truly prevail—His shelter is the decisive protection.
Because Kṛṣṇa was not merely an ally; He was their intimate well-wisher who guided, protected, and ensured dharma’s victory—so His presence itself dispelled fear of misfortune.
Cultivate steady remembrance and friendship with Kṛṣṇa through bhakti (hearing, chanting, prayer); with that shelter, adversity is faced with clarity, courage, and dharmic resolve.