Shloka 4
Yoga-māyā Appears as Durgā; Kaṁsa’s Repentance and the Demonic Policy of Persecuting Vaiṣṇavas
तमाह भ्रातरं देवी कृपणा करुणं सती । स्नुषेयं तव कल्याण स्त्रियं मा हन्तुमर्हसि ॥ ४ ॥
tam āha bhrātaraṁ devī kṛpaṇā karuṇaṁ satī snuṣeyaṁ tava kalyāṇa striyaṁ mā hantum arhasi
Devaki apelou piedosamente a Kamsa: Meu querido irmão, toda a boa fortuna para ti. Não mates esta menina. Ela é como tua nora. Na verdade, é indigno de ti matar uma mulher.
Kaṁsa had previously excused Devakī because he thought that a woman should not be killed, especially when pregnant. But now, by the influence of māyā, he was prepared to kill a woman — not only a woman, but a small, helpless newborn child. Devakī wanted to save her brother from this terrible, sinful act. Therefore she told him, “Don’t be so atrocious as to kill a female child. Let there be all good fortune for you.” Demons can do anything for their personal benefit, not considering what is pious or vicious. But Devakī, on the contrary, although safe because she had already given birth to her own son, Kṛṣṇa, was anxious to save the daughter of someone else. This was natural for her.
FAQs
In this verse Devakī appeals to dharma, stating that a woman—especially one who is family (a daughter-in-law)—should not be killed, emphasizing compassion and righteousness.
Kaṁsa was about to kill the newborn child; Devakī, in fear and compassion, reminded him that the baby girl was his own daughter-in-law and that harming a woman is against dharma.
Even under threat, Devakī speaks for nonviolence and protection of the vulnerable—teaching restraint, ethical conduct, and safeguarding women and family members.