Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam Verses Spoken by Lord Kṛṣṇa - Canto 01 and Canto 03

This article presents a thematic survey of the deployment of the brahmāstra, the ethical dilemma of executing Aśvatthāmā, the impending end of the Yadu dynasty, and the profound empowerment of Uddhava spoken by Lord Kṛṣṇa in the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Canto 01 and Canto 03. It organizes the quotes found in the Vaniquotes category Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam Verses Spoken by Lord Kṛṣṇa.

Lord Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. In these specific verses, He acts as the ultimate guide, protector, and friend to His pure devotees, specifically instructing Arjuna on the complex dharma of the battlefield and entrusting Uddhava with His supreme transcendental knowledge before His departure to Vaikuṇṭha.

The Brahmāstra and the Son of Droṇa

Lord Kṛṣṇa guides Arjuna through the fiery aftermath of the Kurukṣetra war when Aśvatthāmā desperately unleashes an apocalyptic weapon.

Counteracting the Brahmāstra

Lord Kṛṣṇa identifies the source of the blinding, nuclear-like glare and instructs Arjuna on the specific military science required to neutralize it.

  • "The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: Know from Me that this is the act of the son of Droṇa. He has thrown the hymns of nuclear energy (brahmāstra), and he does not know how to retract the glare. He has helplessly done this, being afraid of imminent death."
  • "O Arjuna, only another brahmāstra can counteract this weapon. Since you are expert in the military science, subdue this weapon's glare with the power of your own weapon."

The Dilemma of Punishment

Lord Kṛṣṇa outlines the strict codes of civilized warfare while commanding Arjuna not to show mercy to the cowardly murderer.

  • "Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa said: O Arjuna, you should not show mercy by releasing this relative of a brāhmaṇa (brahma-bandhu), for he has killed innocent boys in their sleep."
  • "A person who knows the principles of religion does not kill an enemy who is careless, intoxicated, insane, asleep, afraid or devoid of his chariot. Nor does he kill a boy, a woman, a foolish creature or a surrendered soul."
  • "A cruel and wretched person who maintains his existence at the cost of others' lives deserves to be killed for his own well-being, otherwise he will go down by his own actions."

Fulfilling the Promise

Lord Kṛṣṇa drives Arjuna to fulfill his solemn vows, demanding justice for the brutal assassination of Draupadī's sleeping sons.

  • "Furthermore, I have personally heard you promise Draupadī that you would bring forth the head of the killer of her sons."
  • "This man is an assassin and murderer of your own family members. Not only that, but he has also dissatisfied his master. He is but the burnt remnants of his family. Kill him immediately."
  • "The Personality of Godhead Sri Kṛṣṇa said: A friend of a brāhmaṇa is not to be killed, but if he is an aggressor he must be killed. All these rulings are in the scriptures, and you should act accordingly. You have to fulfill your promise to your wife, and you must also act to the satisfaction of Bhīmasena and Me."

Relieving the Earth's Burden

Lord Kṛṣṇa reflects on the fulfillment of His mission to relieve the earth, preparing the stage for the destruction of His own unbearable dynasty.

The End of the Yadu Dynasty

Lord Kṛṣṇa notes the successful conclusion of the great war while prophesying the necessary, self-inflicted demise of His own family.

  • "(After the end of the Battle of Kurukṣetra, the Lord said:) The abatement of the earth's great burden, eighteen akṣauhiṇīs, has now been effected with the help of Droṇa, Bhīṣma, Arjuna and Bhīma. But what is this? There is still the great strength of the Yadu dynasty, born of Myself, which may be a more unbearable burden."
  • "When they quarrel among themselves, influenced by intoxication, with their eyes red like copper because of drinking (madhu), then only will they disappear; otherwise, it will not be possible. On My disappearance, this incident will take place."

Final Instructions to Uddhava

Lord Kṛṣṇa blesses His pure devotee Uddhava, delivering His ultimate favor and entrusting him with the supreme spiritual knowledge.

The Ultimate Favor

Lord Kṛṣṇa acknowledges Uddhava's past desires and awards him the supreme destination of Vaikuṇṭha for his unflinching devotion.

  • "O Vasu, I know from within your mind what you desired in the days of yore when the Vasus and other demigods responsible for expanding the universal affairs performed sacrifices. You particularly desired to achieve My association. This is very difficult to obtain for others, but I award it unto you."
  • "O honest one, your present life is the last and the supermost because in this term of life you have been awarded My ultimate favor. Now you can go to My transcendental abode, Vaikuṇṭha, by leaving this universe of conditioned living entities. Your visit to Me in this lonely place because of your pure and unflinching devotional service is a great boon for you."

Entrusting the Transcendental Knowledge

Lord Kṛṣṇa equates Uddhava's spiritual purity to His own, ordering him to remain in the world to teach the science of the Absolute Truth.

  • "O Uddhava, in the lotus millennium in the days of yore, at the beginning of the creation, I spoke unto Brahmā, who is situated on the lotus that grows out of My navel, about My transcendental glories, which the great sages describe as Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam."
  • "Now I shall leave the vision of this mundane world, and I see that Uddhava, the foremost of My devotees, is the only one who can be directly entrusted with knowledge about Me."
  • "Uddhava is not inferior to Me in any way because he is never affected by the modes of material nature. Therefore he may remain in this world in order to disseminate specific knowledge of the Personality of Godhead."

Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani

This article is a thematic compilation of the teachings presented in the Vaniquotes category Bhagavatam Verses Spoken by Lord Krsna. We invite you to visit the link to read the complete collection of verses presented in alphabetical order.

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