Srimad Bhagavatam — Prathama Skandha, Shloka 14
Arjuna’s Lament, the End of the Yadus, and the Pāṇḍavas’ Departure
यद्बान्धव: कुरुबलाब्धिमनन्तपार- मेको रथेन ततरेऽहमतीर्यसत्त्वम् । प्रत्याहृतं बहु धनं च मया परेषां तेजास्पदं मणिमयं च हृतं शिरोभ्य: ॥ १४ ॥
yad-bāndhavaḥ kuru-balābdhim ananta-pāram eko rathena tatare ’ham atīrya-sattvam pratyāhṛtaṁ bahu dhanaṁ ca mayā pareṣāṁ tejās-padaṁ maṇimayaṁ ca hṛtaṁ śirobhyaḥ
俱卢军势如无边大海，其中栖居诸多不可战胜之强者，实难逾越；然因他与我为友，我独坐战车竟得渡过。亦唯赖其恩典，我夺回群牛，强取敌方大量财宝，并从诸王头上夺下镶宝头盔——那是光辉之所依。
On the Kaurava side there were many stalwart commanders like Bhīṣma, Droṇa, Kṛpa and Karṇa, and their military strength was as insurmountable as the great ocean. And yet it was due to Lord Kṛṣṇa’s grace that Arjuna alone, sitting on the chariot, could manage to vanquish them one after another without difficulty. There were many changes of commanders on the other side, but on the Pāṇḍavas’ side Arjuna alone on the chariot driven by Lord Kṛṣṇa could manage the whole responsibility of the great war. Similarly, when the Pāṇḍavas were living at the palace of Virāṭa incognito, the Kauravas picked a quarrel with King Virāṭa and decided to take away his large number of cows. While they were taking away the cows, Arjuna fought with them incognito and was able to regain the cows along with some booty taken by force — the jewels set on the turbans of the royal order. Arjuna remembered that all this was possible by the grace of the Lord.
FAQs
This verse shows Arjuna contrasting his former extraordinary victories—possible due to Krishna’s shelter—with his present inability, illustrating that real power is sustained by the Lord’s grace, not mere personal ability.
After Krishna’s departure from the world, Arjuna returns to Hastinapura shaken and humbled; he confesses to his brothers that without Krishna’s presence he no longer feels the same invincible strength.
Rely less on ego and more on divine shelter—through prayer, remembrance, and disciplined dharma—recognizing that success and capability flourish when aligned with Krishna’s guidance.