Shloka 69
उग्रसेनं च पितरं यदुभोजान्धकाधिपम् । स्वयं निगृह्य बुभुजे शूरसेनान् महाबल: ॥ ६९ ॥
ugrasenaṁ ca pitaraṁ yadu-bhojāndhakādhipam svayaṁ nigṛhya bubhuje śūrasenān mahā-balaḥ
Kaṁsa yang sangat perkasa menahan ayahnya sendiri, Ugrasena—pemerintah wangsa Yadu, Bhoja dan Andhaka—lalu memerintah negeri-negeri Śūrasena dengan tangannya sendiri.
The state known as Mathurā was also included within the states known as Śūrasena.
FAQs
This verse states that Kaṁsa, though powerful, acted irreligiously by subduing and effectively imprisoning his own father Ugrasena and seizing the rule of the Śūrasenas.
He is setting the historical and moral backdrop for Krishna’s advent—showing how adharma (tyranny and usurping rightful rule) spread in Mathurā under Kaṁsa.
It warns against power gained through injustice—especially betraying family, duty, and rightful authority—and encourages leadership rooted in dharma rather than domination.