Why did Krishna steal the garments cloths of the Gopis

2021-11-20

Srimad Bhagavatam 01.07.38-39 - Why did Krishna steal the garments cloths of the Gopis (download mp3)

by Shivram Prabhu at ISKCON Chowpatty

www.iskcondesiretree.com

SB 01.07.38

pratiśrutaṁ ca bhavatā

pāñcālyai śṛṇvato mama

āhariṣye śiras tasya

yas te mānini putra-hā

Translation:

Furthermore, I have personally heard you promise Draupadī that you would bring forth the head of the killer of her sons.

SB 01.07.39

tad asau vadhyatāṁ pāpa

ātatāyy ātma-bandhu-hā

bhartuś ca vipriyaṁ vīra

kṛtavān kula-pāṁsanaḥ

Translation:

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.

Purport:

The son of Droṇācārya is condemned here as the burnt remnants of his family. The good name of Droṇācārya was very much respected. Although he joined the enemy camp, the Pāṇḍavas held him always in respect, and Arjuna saluted him before beginning the fight. There was nothing wrong in that way. But the son of Droṇācārya degraded himself by committing acts which are never done by the dvijas, or the twice-born higher castes. Aśvatthāmā, the son of Droṇācārya, committed murder by killing the five sleeping sons of Draupadī, by which he dissatisfied his master Duryodhana, who never approved of the heinous act of killing the five sleeping sons of the Pāṇḍavas. This means that Aśvatthāmā became an assaulter of Arjuna’s own family members, and thus he was liable to be punished by him. In the śāstras, he who attacks without notice or kills from behind or sets fire to another’s house or kidnaps one’s wife is condem to death. Kṛṣṇa reminded Arjuna of these facts so that he might take notice of them and do the needful.