Devas in Dvārakā, Brahmā’s Petition, and Uddhava’s Appeal
Prabhāsa Departure Set-Up
तदिदं यादवकुलं वीर्यशौर्यश्रियोद्धतम् । लोकं जिघृक्षद् रुद्धं मे वेलयेव महार्णव: ॥ २९ ॥
tad idaṁ yādava-kulaṁ vīrya-śaurya-śriyoddhatam lokaṁ jighṛkṣad ruddhaṁ me velayeva mahārṇavaḥ
我所显现的雅度王朝在财富、体力和勇气方面变得极其强大,以至于他们威胁要吞噬整个世界。因此,我遏制了他们,就像海岸阻挡大海一样。
The heroes of the Yadu dynasty were so powerful that even the demigods could not check them. The enthusiasm of the Yadus was unlimitedly increased by their victories in dangerous battles, and they could not be killed. Due to their martial spirit they naturally desired to establish their power over the whole world; therefore the Lord checked them and withdrew them from the earth.
This verse explains that when strength, valor, and opulence make a community arrogant, it develops a conquering mentality; Kṛṣṇa compares such unchecked pride to an ocean that must be contained, implying inevitable correction by divine arrangement.
Kṛṣṇa is indicating to His devotee (in this chapter’s context, Uddhava) that the Yādavas’ swelling pride and aggression have reached a dangerous limit, and that He will restrain and conclude their earthly role through imminent events.
When success increases, cultivate humility and self-restraint; otherwise, ambition can turn into domination. The verse advises setting ethical boundaries—like a shoreline—to keep power from becoming destructive.