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
至上主は仰せになった――この一切は初めから我が知るところであった。憐れみ深き聖仙ナーラダは前もってこれを定め、富貴の酔いに盲いた汝ら二人に、呪詛という形で最大の恩寵を授けた。天界スヴァルガより堕ちて樹となっても、なお彼の加護により汝らは大いに恵まれたのだ。
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.