Shloka 23
Yoga-māyā Appears as Durgā; Kaṁsa’s Repentance and the Demonic Policy of Persecuting Vaiṣṇavas
क्षमध्वं मम दौरात्म्यं साधवो दीनवत्सला: । इत्युक्त्वाश्रुमुख: पादौ श्याल: स्वस्रोरथाग्रहीत् ॥ २३ ॥
kṣamadhvaṁ mama daurātmyaṁ sādhavo dīna-vatsalāḥ ity uktvāśru-mukhaḥ pādau śyālaḥ svasror athāgrahīt
Kaṁsa merayu, “Kalian berdua orang suci, penyayang kepada yang hina; ampunilah kekejamanku.” Setelah berkata demikian, dengan air mata penyesalan, dia tersungkur memegang kaki Vasudeva dan Devakī.
Although Kaṁsa had spoken very nicely on the subject of real knowledge, his past deeds were abominable and atrocious, and therefore he further begged forgiveness from his sister and brother-in-law by falling at their feet and admitting that he was a most sinful person.
FAQs
In this verse, dīna-vatsalāḥ describes saintly persons as especially affectionate and compassionate toward the distressed and fallen, thus inclined to forgive.
After committing severe cruelty, Kaṁsa attempts to pacify and manipulate Devakī and Vasudeva by pleading for forgiveness, even grasping Devakī’s feet with tears.
It cautions us to practice genuine remorse and ethical reform rather than using apology as a tactic; true saintliness includes compassion, but wrongdoing still requires real change.