The Killing of Cāṇūra, Muṣṭika, and Kaṁsa; Liberation and Restoration of Dharma in Mathurā
तेषां स्त्रियो महाराज सुहृन्मरणदु:खिता: । तत्राभीयुर्विनिघ्नन्त्य: शीर्षाण्यश्रुविलोचना: ॥ ४३ ॥
teṣāṁ striyo mahā-rāja suhṛn-maraṇa-duḥkhitāḥ tatrābhīyur vinighnantyaḥ śīrṣāṇy aśru-vilocanāḥ
Wahai Raja, para isteri Kaṁsa dan saudara-saudaranya, berdukacita atas kematian suami-suami mereka yang menginginkan kebaikan, tampil ke hadapan dengan mata berlinang air mata sambil memukul kepala mereka.
This verse depicts natural human grief—tearful lamentation and self-striking—showing how deep attachment brings sorrow when death occurs, even amid Kṛṣṇa’s divine pastimes.
It is a traditional sign of intense mourning: having lost their husbands or relatives in the arena, they rush in and express unbearable grief through such gestures.
It reminds us that worldly relationships, though precious, are temporary; cultivating devotion and spiritual perspective helps one face loss with steadiness and remembrance of the Lord.