Shloka 43
Balarāma Humbles the Kurus and Rescues Sāmba
जलयानमिवाघूर्णं गङ्गायां नगरं पतत् । आकृष्यमाणमालोक्य कौरवा: जातसम्भ्रमा: ॥ ४२ ॥ तमेव शरणं जग्मु: सकुटुम्बा जिजीविषव: । सलक्ष्मणं पुरस्कृत्य साम्बं प्राञ्जलय: प्रभुम् ॥ ४३ ॥
jala-yānam ivāghūrṇaṁ gaṅgāyāṁ nagaraṁ patat ākṛṣyamāṇam ālokya kauravāḥ jāta-sambhramāḥ
Thấy thành của mình chao đảo như chiếc bè giữa biển, bị kéo đi và sắp rơi xuống sông Hằng, các Kaurava kinh hãi. Để giữ mạng, họ cùng gia quyến đến nương tựa nơi Đức Chúa; đặt Sāmba và Lakṣmaṇā ở phía trước, họ chắp tay khẩn cầu.
The city of Hastināpura began to roll about like a raft in a stormy sea. The frightened Kauravas, to quickly appease the Lord, immediately brought Sāmba and Lakṣmaṇā and placed them in front.
FAQs
This verse shows the Kauravas, overwhelmed by danger, giving up pride and seeking refuge in the Lord—illustrating that surrender to Bhagavān is the ultimate protection when worldly supports fail.
As the situation turned threatening and their city was being dragged toward the Gaṅgā, they feared for their lives and therefore approached Sāmba respectfully, seeking relief through him while ultimately taking shelter of the Lord.
When crisis strikes, replace panic and blame with humility, prayer, and dharmic action—seeking guidance from the Lord and His devotees rather than relying only on control and power.