Shloka 57
Kṛṣṇa Arrives at Kuṇḍina and Abducts Rukmiṇī
Rukmiṇī-haraṇa Prelude
तं मानिन: स्वाभिभवं यश:क्षयं परे जरासन्धमुखा न सेहिरे । अहो धिगस्मान् यश आत्तधन्वनां गोपैर्हृतं केशरिणां मृगैरिव ॥ ५७ ॥
taṁ māninaḥ svābhibhavaṁ yaśaḥ-kṣayaṁ pare jarāsandha-mukhā na sehire aho dhig asmān yaśa ātta-dhanvanāṁ gopair hṛtaṁ keśariṇāṁ mṛgair iva
ジャラーサンダを筆頭とする、主に敵対する驕れる王たちは、この屈辱と名誉の失墜に耐えられなかった。彼らは叫んだ。「ああ、我らは何と恥ずべきか！強弓の射手であるこの我らの誉れが、ただのゴーパたちに奪われた。まるで小さな獣が獅子の威光を奪うかのようだ！」
From the last two verses of this chapter it is clear that the perverted intelligence of demons makes them perceive things in a way exactly opposite to reality. It is clearly stated that Kṛṣṇa stole Rukmiṇī like a lion taking his prey from the midst of jackals. The demons, however, saw themselves as lions and Lord Kṛṣṇa as an inferior creature. Without Kṛṣṇa consciousness, life becomes most dangerous.
FAQs
It shows that worldly pride and reputation are fragile: even powerful rulers can be disgraced, and the Lord’s arrangement can humble false ego instantly.
Because their identity was rooted in kṣatriya prestige and fame; being overcome—especially by Kṛṣṇa’s cowherd associates—felt like an unbearable loss of honor.
It cautions against building self-worth on status and public image; cultivate humility and steadiness, recognizing that success and reputation can change quickly by higher arrangement.