Shloka 18
Yoga-māyā Appears as Durgā; Kaṁsa’s Repentance and the Demonic Policy of Persecuting Vaiṣṇavas
मा शोचतं महाभागावात्मजान् स्वकृतंभुज: । जान्तवो न सदैकत्र दैवाधीनास्तदासते ॥ १८ ॥
mā śocataṁ mahā-bhāgāv ātmajān sva-kṛtaṁ bhujaḥ jāntavo na sadaikatra daivādhīnās tadāsate
ఓ మహాత్ములారా! మీ బిడ్డలు తమ కర్మఫలాన్ని అనుభవించారు. కనుక వారి గురించి శోకించకండి. ప్రాణులన్నీ దైవాధీనంలో ఉంటాయి, అవి ఎప్పుడూ ఒకేచోట కలిసి ఉండలేవు.
Kaṁsa addressed his sister and brother-in-law as mahā-bhāgau because although he killed their ordinary children, the goddess Durgā took birth from them. Because Devakī bore Durgādevī in her womb, Kaṁsa praised both Devakī and her husband. Asuras are very devoted to the goddess Durgā, Kālī and so forth. Kaṁsa, therefore, truly astonished, appreciated the exalted position of his sister and brother-in-law. Durgā is certainly not under the laws of nature, because she herself is the controller of the laws of nature. Ordinary living beings, however, are controlled by these laws ( prakṛteḥ kriyamāṇāni guṇaiḥ karmāṇi sarvaśaḥ ). Consequently, none of us are allowed to live together for any long period. By speaking in this way, Kaṁsa tried to pacify his sister and brother-in-law.
FAQs
This verse teaches that beings unite and separate by daiva (providence) while reaping their own karma, so excessive lamentation is discouraged and one should remain steady.
After the fearful incident involving baby Kṛṣṇa, the residents of Gokula were shaken; Nanda consoled them with Bhagavata-style wisdom about karma, destiny, and the temporary nature of worldly situations.
When facing separation, loss, or sudden change, remember relationships and circumstances are temporary; do your duty, keep faith in Bhagavān, and respond with steadiness rather than despair.