Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 25
Draupadī Meets Kṛṣṇa’s Queens — Narratives of the Lord’s Marriages and the Queens’ Bhakti
राजन्येषु निवृत्तेषु भग्नमानेषु मानिषु । भगवान् धनुरादाय सज्यं कृत्वाथ लीलया ॥ २५ ॥ तस्मिन् सन्धाय विशिखं मत्स्यं वीक्ष्य सकृज्जले । छित्त्वेषुणापातयत्तं सूर्ये चाभिजिति स्थिते ॥ २६ ॥
rājanyeṣu nivṛtteṣu bhagna-māneṣu māniṣu bhagavān dhanur ādāya sajyaṁ kṛtvātha līlayā
Khi các vua kiêu mạn đã bỏ cuộc và lòng tự phụ của họ bị bẻ gãy, Đức Bhagavan cầm lấy cây cung, ung dung giương dây và đặt mũi tên. Lúc mặt trời ở chòm Abhijit, Ngài chỉ liếc nhìn con cá trong nước một lần rồi bắn xuyên, làm nó rơi xuống đất.
Each day the sun passes once through the lunar constellation Abhijit, marking the period most auspicious for victory. As pointed out by Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī, on this particular day the muhūrta of Abhijit coincided with high noon, further emphasizing Lord Kṛṣṇa’s greatness by making the target all the more difficult to see.
FAQs
This verse shows that when arrogant rulers become humbled, the Lord effortlessly demonstrates His supremacy—turning their pride into an occasion for recognizing divine authority.
Because for Bhagavān, acts that overwhelm worldly heroes are mere līlā—He reveals unlimited power without strain, emphasizing His transcendence.
Cultivate humility: achievements and status can inflate ego, but remembering the Lord’s supremacy helps one act responsibly without pride.