Shloka 11
Akrūra in Hastināpura: Kuntī’s Lament and Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Moral Instruction
कृष्ण कृष्ण महायोगिन् विश्वात्मन् विश्वभावन । प्रपन्नां पाहि गोविन्द शिशुभिश्चावसीदतीम् ॥ ११ ॥
kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa mahā-yogin viśvātman viśva-bhāvana prapannāṁ pāhi govinda śiśubhiś cāvasīdatīm
കൃഷ്ണാ, കൃഷ്ണാ! മഹായോഗീ, വിശ്വാത്മാവേ, വിശ്വത്തെ പോഷിപ്പിക്കുന്ന ഗോവിന്ദാ! ശരണം പ്രാപിച്ച എന്നെ രക്ഷിക്കണമേ; ഞാനും എന്റെ കുഞ്ഞുങ്ങളും ദുരിതത്തിൽ മുങ്ങുന്നു.
“Since Lord Kṛṣṇa maintains the entire universe,” thought Kuntīdevī, “surely He can protect our family.” The word avasīdatīm indicates that Kuntīdevī was overwhelmed by troubles; thus exhausted, she was helplessly taking shelter of Śrī Kṛṣṇa. In her prayers in the First Canto of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Kuntī admits that all these troubles were actually a blessing, for they forced her to always be intensely Kṛṣṇa conscious.
FAQs
This verse shows surrender as an intimate appeal to Krishna for direct protection—Devakī calls herself prapannā (fully surrendered) and seeks the Lord’s shelter when overwhelmed by fear for herself and her children.
In the Mathurā narrative, Devakī addresses Krishna as the supreme protector and sustainer of the universe, pleading for safety because she feels distressed and endangered along with her children.
When anxiety or responsibility feels crushing, follow Devakī’s model: acknowledge Krishna’s lordship, take shelter through prayer and remembrance, and act responsibly while depending on divine protection rather than panic.