Shloka 2
Uddhava’s Counsel: The Jarāsandha Resolution and Kṛṣṇa’s Arrival at Indraprastha
श्रीउद्धव उवाच यदुक्तमृषिना देव साचिव्यं यक्ष्यतस्त्वया । कार्यं पैतृष्वस्रेयस्य रक्षा च शरणैषिणाम् ॥ २ ॥
śrī-uddhava uvāca yad uktam ṛṣinā deva sācivyaṁ yakṣyatas tvayā kāryaṁ paitṛ-ṣvasreyasya rakṣā ca śaraṇaiṣiṇām
ศรีอุทธวะกล่าวว่า ข้าแต่พระผู้เป็นเจ้า ตามที่ฤๅษีได้แนะนำ พระองค์พึงช่วยญาติของพระองค์ให้สำเร็จพิธีราชสูยะ และทรงคุ้มครองบรรดากษัตริย์ผู้มาขอพึ่งพระบาทของพระองค์ด้วย
Devarṣi Nārada wanted Lord Kṛṣṇa to go to Indraprastha and help His cousin Yudhiṣṭhira perform the Rājasūya sacrifice. At the same time, the members of the royal assembly strongly desired that He defeat Jarāsandha and rescue the kings he was holding prisoner. The great-minded Uddhava could understand that Lord Kṛṣṇa desired to do both things, and thus he intelligently advised how both these purposes could be simultaneously accomplished.
FAQs
This verse highlights Kṛṣṇa’s duty to protect śaraṇaiṣiṇaḥ—those who approach Him for refuge—showing that divine leadership includes safeguarding surrendered souls.
Uddhava is urging Kṛṣṇa to act on the sage’s counsel: assist the one performing the sacrifice and fulfill a necessary family and royal obligation, while ensuring protection for those who depend on Him.
Take responsibility for those under your care—family, community, or dependents—by offering guidance, safety, and support, reflecting the dharma of sheltering the vulnerable.