Copyright (c) The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International, Inc.His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder Acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness
| Canto 1: Creation | Chapter 10: Departure of Lord Krishna for Dvaraka |
Bhaktivedanta VedaBase: Srimad Bhagavatam 1.10.32
SYNONYMS
ajata-satruh -- Maharaja Yudhishthira, who was no one's enemy; pritanam -- defensive forces; gopithaya -- for giving protection; madhu-dvishah -- of the enemy of Madhu (Sri Krishna); parebhyah -- from others (enemies); sankitah -- being afraid of; snehat -- out of affection; prayunkta -- engaged; catuh-anginim -- four defensive divisions.
TRANSLATION
Maharaja Yudhishthira, although no one's enemy, engaged four divisions of defense [horse, elephant, chariot and army] to accompany Lord Krishna, the enemy of the asuras [demons]. The Maharaja did this because of the enemy, and also out of affection for the Lord.
PURPORT
Natural defensive measures are horses and elephants combined with chariots and men. Horses and elephants are trained to move to any part of the hills or forests and plains. The charioteers could fight with many horses and elephants by the strength of powerful arrows, even up to the standard of the brahmastra (similar to modern atomic weapons). Maharaja Yudhishthira knew well that Krishna is everyone's friend and well-wisher, and yet there were asuras who were by nature envious of the Lord. So out of fear of attack from others and out of affection also, he engaged all varieties of defensive forces as bodyguards of Lord Krishna. If required, Lord Krishna Himself was sufficient to defend Himself from the attack of others who counted the Lord as their enemy, but still He accepted all the arrangements made by Maharaja Yudhishthira because He could not disobey the King, who was His elder cousin. The Lord plays the part of a subordinate in His transcendental sporting, and thus sometimes He puts Himself in the care of Yasodamata for His protection in His so-called helplessness of childhood. That is the transcendental lila, or pastime of the Lord. The basic principle for all transcendental exchanges between the Lord and His devotees is exhibited to enjoy a transcendental bliss for which there is no comparison, even up to the level of brahmananda.
Copyright (c) The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International, Inc.
His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder Acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness