Balarāma Humbles the Kurus and Rescues Sāmba
जलयानमिवाघूर्णं गङ्गायां नगरं पतत् । आकृष्यमाणमालोक्य कौरवा: जातसम्भ्रमा: ॥ ४२ ॥ तमेव शरणं जग्मु: सकुटुम्बा जिजीविषव: । सलक्ष्मणं पुरस्कृत्य साम्बं प्राञ्जलय: प्रभुम् ॥ ४३ ॥
jala-yānam ivāghūrṇaṁ gaṅgāyāṁ nagaraṁ patat ākṛṣyamāṇam ālokya kauravāḥ jāta-sambhramāḥ
തങ്ങളുടെ നഗരം കടലിലെ തോണിപോലെ കുലുങ്ങിക്കൊണ്ട് വലിച്ചിഴക്കപ്പെടുകയും ഗംഗയിൽ വീഴാൻ പോകുകയും ചെയ്യുന്നതു കണ്ട കൌരവർ ഭീതരായി. ജീവരക്ഷയ്ക്കായി കുടുംബങ്ങളോടുകൂടെ അവർ പ്രഭുവിന്റെ ശരണം തേടി; സാംബനെയും ലക്ഷ്മണയെയും മുന്നിൽ നിർത്തി കൈകൂപ്പി അപേക്ഷിച്ചു।
The city of Hastināpura began to roll about like a raft in a stormy sea. The frightened Kauravas, to quickly appease the Lord, immediately brought Sāmba and Lakṣmaṇā and placed them in front.
This verse shows the Kauravas, overwhelmed by danger, giving up pride and seeking refuge in the Lord—illustrating that surrender to Bhagavān is the ultimate protection when worldly supports fail.
As the situation turned threatening and their city was being dragged toward the Gaṅgā, they feared for their lives and therefore approached Sāmba respectfully, seeking relief through him while ultimately taking shelter of the Lord.
When crisis strikes, replace panic and blame with humility, prayer, and dharmic action—seeking guidance from the Lord and His devotees rather than relying only on control and power.