Shloka 2
Kṛṣṇa Teases Rukmiṇī; Her Devotional Reply and the Lord’s Assurance
यस्त्वेतल्लीलया विश्वं सृजत्यत्त्यवतीश्वर: । स हि जात: स्वसेतूनां गोपीथाय यदुष्वज: ॥ २ ॥
yas tv etal līlayā viśvaṁ sṛjaty atty avatīśvaraḥ sa hi jātaḥ sva-setūnāṁ gopīthāya yaduṣv ajaḥ
Dia, Tuhan Yang Mahatinggi yang tak terlahir, dengan lila-Nya mencipta, memelihara, lalu menelan alam semesta; demi menjaga tatanan dharma-Nya Ia lahir di wangsa Yadu।
As stated in the Sixth Canto of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (6.3.19) dharmaṁ tu sākṣād bhagavat-praṇītam: “Religion is the law established by God.” The word setu means a “boundary” or “limit,” as in the case of a dike. Earth is raised up on both sides of a river or canal so that the water will not deviate from its proper path. Similarly, God establishes laws so that people who follow them can peacefully progress along the path back home, back to Godhead. These laws, which are meant to guide human behavior, are thus called setu.
FAQs
This verse states that the Supreme Lord creates, sustains, and withdraws the universe as His divine play (līlā), showing His sovereignty while remaining personally present for His devotees.
Rukmiṇī explains that the all-powerful Lord chose to appear among the Yadus specifically to protect His own people—His devotees—and to uphold their righteous order and safety.
Remembering that God is both cosmic controller and intimate protector helps one cultivate trust, practice devotion steadily, and align daily choices with dharma even in uncertainty.