Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 10
The Curse on the Yadus Begins: Kṛṣṇa’s Plan to Withdraw His Dynasty
श्रीबादरायणिरुवाच बिभ्रद् वपु: सकलसुन्दरसन्निवेशं कर्माचरन् भुवि सुमङ्गलमाप्तकाम: । आस्थाय धाम रममाण उदारकीर्ति: संहर्तुमैच्छत कुलं स्थितकृत्यशेष: ॥ १० ॥
śrī-bādarāyaṇir uvāca bibhrad vapuḥ sakala-sundara-sanniveśaṁ karmācaran bhuvi su-maṅgalam āpta-kāmaḥ āsthāya dhāma ramamāṇa udāra-kīṛtiḥ saṁhartum aicchata kulaṁ sthita-kṛtya-śeṣaḥ
シュカデーヴァ・ゴースヴァーミーは語った。主は、あらゆる美が結晶したかのような御身を帯び、地上で最も吉祥なる御業を行われた。しかも主は本来、努力なくして満ち足りるアープタカーマである。自らのダーマに住して歓喜し、寛大なる栄光を放つ主は、なお僅かな務めが残っていたため、今や自らの王族を滅ぼすことを望まれた。
This verse answers Parīkṣit Mahārāja’s question as to how the powerful members of the Yadu dynasty could be cursed by the brāhmaṇas and thus destroy themselves in a fratricidal war. By the words saṁhartum aicchata kulam it is clearly stated that Lord Kṛṣṇa Himself desired to withdraw His dynasty and therefore engaged the brāhmaṇas as His agent. Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura remarks here that Kṛṣṇa had clearly demonstrated the insurpassable beauty and strength of His personal form, pastimes and pleasures to all the residents of the earth. Thus His incarnation to kill the demons, save the devotees and reestablish religious principles had been completely successful. When Lord Kṛṣṇa noticed that His mission was now complete, everything having been done perfectly, He desired to return to His transcendental abode, along with the Vṛṣṇis. Thus the Lord personally arranged for the Yadu dynasty to be cursed by the brāhmaṇas.
FAQs
This verse indicates that after completing His auspicious mission on earth, Kṛṣṇa desired to wind up His dynasty as part of concluding His manifest līlā and returning fully to His own abode.
Śukadeva Gosvāmī (Śrī Bādarāyaṇi) speaks this narration to King Parīkṣit while describing the events surrounding Lord Kṛṣṇa’s departure.
Even when one is spiritually complete, one should act for the welfare of the world; Kṛṣṇa’s example teaches selfless duty and devotion without personal need.