Shloka 45
Parīkṣit’s Questions and the Prelude to Kṛṣṇa’s Advent
Earth’s Burden, Viṣṇu’s Order, and Kaṁsa’s Fear
एषा तवानुजा बाला कृपणा पुत्रिकोपमा । हन्तुं नार्हसि कल्याणीमिमां त्वं दीनवत्सल: ॥ ४५ ॥
eṣā tavānujā bālā kṛpaṇā putrikopamā hantuṁ nārhasi kalyāṇīm imāṁ tvaṁ dīna-vatsalaḥ
Elle est ta sœur cadette, une jeune fille sans défense, semblable à ta propre fille. Toi qui es compatissant envers les malheureux, il ne te sied pas de tuer cette femme vertueuse; protège-la plutôt avec tendresse.
FAQs
In 10.1.45, Vasudeva argues that Devakī is a helpless young woman and should not be killed, appealing to dharma and compassion toward the innocent.
Kaṁsa was about to kill Devakī after hearing the prophecy about his death; Vasudeva tried to stop him by reminding him she was his own sister and by appealing to his reputation as compassionate.
It teaches restraint and moral courage—protecting vulnerable persons and refusing to justify cruelty, even when fear, anger, or self-interest pressures one to act violently.