Shloka 1
Kṛṣṇa Kills Dantavakra; Balarāma’s Pilgrimage and the Slaying of Romaharṣaṇa
श्रीशुक उवाच शिशुपालस्य शाल्वस्य पौण्ड्रकस्यापि दुर्मति: । परलोकगतानां च कुर्वन् पारोक्ष्यसौहृदम् ॥ १ ॥ एक: पदाति: सङ्क्रुद्धो गदापाणि: प्रकम्पयन् । पद्भ्यामिमां महाराज महासत्त्वो व्यदृश्यत ॥ २ ॥
śrī-śuka uvāca śiśupālasya śālvasya pauṇḍrakasyāpi durmatiḥ para-loka-gatānāṁ ca kurvan pārokṣya-sauhṛdam
Śukadeva berkata: Wahai Maharaja, walaupun Śiśupāla, Śālva dan Pauṇḍraka telah pergi ke alam sana, Dantavakra yang berniat jahat menunjukkan persahabatan secara tidak langsung kepada mereka dan muncul di medan perang dengan kemarahan besar. Seorang diri, berjalan kaki, memegang belantan, dia kelihatan menggoncang bumi dengan langkahnya.
FAQs
This verse highlights a person who, despite hostility toward certain kings, shows indirect or performative goodwill after their death—warning that outward friendliness can conceal inner envy.
He references well-known adversaries connected to Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes to frame the character of the present antagonist—someone whose alliances and ‘friendships’ are politically motivated rather than sincere.
Judge relationships by consistent character and actions, not by public displays—especially when praise appears only after someone is absent or unable to respond.