Shloka 39
The Killing of Ariṣṭāsura and Kaṁsa’s Plot to Summon Kṛṣṇa
मनोरथान् करोत्युच्चैर्जनो दैवहतानपि । युज्यते हर्षशोकाभ्यां तथाप्याज्ञां करोमि ते ॥ ३९ ॥
manorathān karoty uccair jano daiva-hatān api yujyate harṣa-śokābhyāṁ tathāpy ājñāṁ karomi te
Người thường vẫn quyết làm theo dục vọng của mình dù số mệnh ngăn trở. Vì thế họ gặp cả vui lẫn buồn. Dẫu vậy, tôi vẫn sẽ thi hành mệnh lệnh của ngài.
Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī explains that although what Akrūra said was courteous and encouraging, his hidden meaning was far different. What he really meant was this: “Your plan is not fit to execute, yet I will carry it out since you are the King and I am your subject, and in any case, you are about to die.”
FAQs
This verse notes that even when providence thwarts one’s situation, people still make ambitious plans, which then bind them to alternating happiness and grief—implying the need for steadiness and higher dependence.
Akrura reflects on how conditioned beings plan despite destiny’s reversals, yet he outwardly agrees to execute Kaṁsa’s command—while inwardly moving within Krishna’s unfolding divine plan.
Do your duties responsibly, but avoid emotional bondage to outcomes; recognize reversals as part of destiny and stay grounded in devotion and steady service rather than anxious over-planning.