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
彼女はあなたの妹で、哀れな幼い娘、まるで自分の娘のようなものです。あなたは弱き者に慈しみ深いのだから、この吉祥なる女性を殺すべきではなく、愛をもって守り養うべきです。
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.