Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 2
The Curse on the Yadus Begins: Kṛṣṇa’s Plan to Withdraw His Dynasty
ये कोपिता: सुबहु पाण्डुसुता: सपत्नै- र्दुर्द्यूतहेलनकचग्रहणादिभिस्तान् । कृत्वा निमित्तमितरेतरत: समेतान् हत्वा नृपान् निरहरत् क्षितिभारमीश: ॥ २ ॥
ye kopitāḥ su-bahu pāṇḍu-sutāḥ sapatnair durdyūta-helana-kaca-grahaṇādibhis tān kṛtvā nimittam itaretarataḥ sametān hatvā nṛpān niraharat kṣiti-bhāram īśaḥ
敵方の数々の罪—欺きの賭博、侮辱の言葉、ドラウパディーの髪を掴むこと等の残虐—により、パーンドゥの子らは憤った。至上主は彼らを御意志の因縁として用い、クルクシェートラの戦いを口実に諸王を軍勢とともに両陣に集め、戦争を媒介として滅ぼし、大地の重荷を除かれた。
The Pāṇḍavas were repeatedly harassed by their enemies, such as Duryodhana and Duḥśāsana. As innocent young princes, the Pāṇḍavas had no enemy, but Duryodhana was constantly plotting against his helpless cousins. The Pāṇḍavas were sent to a house of lac, which was later burned to the ground. They were administered poison, and their chaste wife Draupadī was publicly insulted when her hair was pulled and an attempt was made to strip her naked. Throughout these dangers, Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa constantly protected the Pāṇḍavas, who were fully surrendered to Him and who knew no shelter other than Him.
FAQs
This verse explains that the Supreme Lord used the conflict culminating in Kurukṣetra to bring the kings together for mutual destruction, thereby relieving the earth’s burden.
They were enraged by their rivals’ offenses—especially the wicked dice-game, the humiliation, and the pulling of Draupadī’s hair—events that became the immediate cause for war.
It teaches that grave injustice should be met with steadfast commitment to dharma, while recognizing that outcomes ultimately unfold under the Lord’s higher arrangement.