Kamsa represents contrary spiritual Principles

2011-08-06
Srimad Bhagavatam 10.01.45-48 - Kamsa represents contrary spiritual Principles (download mp3)
by Rohini Priya Prabhu at ISKCON Chowpatty
www.iskcondesiretree.net





SB 10.1.45
esa tavanuja bala
krpana putrikopama
hantum narhasi kalyanim
imam tvam dina-vatsalah

Translation: 
As your younger sister, this poor girl Devaki is like your own daughter and deserves to be affectionately maintained. You are merciful, and therefore you should not kill her. Indeed, she deserves your affection.


SB 10.1.46
sri-suka uvaca
evam sa samabhir bhedair
bodhyamano 'pi darunah
na nyavartata kauravya
purusadan anuvratah

Translation: 
Sukadeva Gosvami continued: O best of the Kuru dynasty, Kamsa was fiercely cruel and was actually a follower of the Raksasas. Therefore he could be neither pacified nor terrified by the good instructions given by Vasudeva. He did not care about the results of sinful activities, either in this life or in the next.

SB 10.1.47
nirbandham tasya tam jñatva
vicintyanakadundubhih
praptam kalam prativyodhum
idam tatranvapadyata

Translation: 
When Vasudeva saw that Kamsa was determined to kill his sister Devaki, he thought to himself very deeply. Considering the imminent danger of death, he thought of another plan to stop Kamsa.

Purport: 
Although Vasudeva saw the imminent danger that his wife Devaki would be killed, he was convinced of his welfare because at his birth the demigods had played drums and kettledrums. He therefore attempted another way to save Devaki.


SB 10.1.48
mrtyur buddhimatapohyo
yavad buddhi-balodayam
yady asau na nivarteta
naparadho 'sti dehinah

Translation: 
As long as he has intelligence and bodily strength, an intelligent person must try to avoid death. This is the duty of every embodied person. But if death cannot be avoided in spite of one's endeavors, a person facing death commits no offense.

Purport: 
It is natural for a person facing untimely death to try his best to save himself. This is one's duty. Although death is sure, everyone should try to avoid it and not meet death without opposition because every living soul is by nature eternal. Because death is a punishment imposed in the condemned life of material existence, the Vedic culture is based on avoiding death (tyaktva deham punar janma naiti [Bg. 4.9]). Everyone should try to avoid death and rebirth by cultivating spiritual life and should not submit to death without struggling to survive. One who is not trying to stop death is not an intelligent human being. Because Devaki was face to face with imminent death, it was Vasudeva's duty to save her, as he was trying his best to do. He therefore considered another way to approach Kamsa so that Devaki would be saved.