Lessons on Strategy, Forgiveness, and Divine Intervention from Shree Krishna
Shree Krishna’s triumph over Kansa is one of the most significant and revered events. Kansa, the cruel king of Mathura, ruled with an iron fist, bringing suffering to his people. His tyrannical reign led to a series of confrontations with powerful enemies. It was his nephew Shree Krishna, born to Kansa's sister Devaki, who was prophesied to bring an end to his tyranny. The path to Kansa’s eventual downfall, however, was not a straightforward one. It involved strategic thinking, moments of mercy, and divine intervention.
The death of Kansa marked the end of an era of tyranny in Mathura, but it also set in motion a series of events that reshaped the destiny of the Yadu clan and the surrounding kingdoms. After Shree Krishna’s defeat of Kansa, the challenges did not immediately cease; instead, they evolved into new confrontations with powerful adversaries and strategic decisions that would secure the future of Shree Krishna and his people.
This blog delves into the critical events that followed Kansa’s death, focusing on Shree Krishna’s handling of his enemies, his decision to relocate to the safe city of Dwarka, and the pivotal moments in his personal life, including his marriage to Rukmini. These events, driven by Shree Krishna’s wisdom and divine guidance, offer profound lessons in forgiveness, strategy, and the pursuit of justice. Through these episodes, Shree Krishna’s actions reveal timeless principles that continue to resonate in our lives today.
Strategy and Forgiveness After Kansa’s Fall
Asti and Prapti, Kansa’s wives and the daughters of Jarasandh, fled to their father's house, complaining about their situation. Enraged by their complaints, Jarasandh raised an army and attacked Mathura. In response, Shree Krishna and his brother Lord Balaram, along with the Yadu warriors, defended the city and defeated Jarasandh’s forces.
Lord Balaram suggested that they should kill Jarasandh, but Shree Krishna disagreed, advising instead that they release him. Shree Krishna explained that by sparing him, Jarasandh would go on to gather all the evil kings, bringing them together so they could defeat them all at once. Shree Krishna believed there was no need to chase after each evil king individually, as Jarasandh would do the work for them. Over the course of seventeen attacks, Jarasandh came again and again, and each time, Shree Krishna defeated him but chose to forgive him.
Lesson
- Shree Krishna's decision to repeatedly forgive Jarasandh shows the value of using patience and strategy rather than immediate retaliation. Sometimes, sparing an adversary can lead to a greater long-term victory.
Shree Krishna’s Ultimate Strategy
Despite Shree Krishna’s repeated victories and acts of mercy, Jarasandh continued to harass Mathura. His persistence led Shree Krishna and Lord Balaram to devise a new plan during the eighteenth attack. The brothers decided to take refuge in the hills, away from the battlefield, hoping to elude Jarasandh’s forces. In an attempt to smoke them out, Jarasandh set the hill on fire. However, Shree Krishna and Lord Balaram managed to escape by jumping off the hill, leaving Jarasandh to believe he had defeated them.
Shree Krishna, realizing that the constant attacks were becoming a significant problem, decided that it was time to leave Mathura for good. He instructed Vishwakarma, the divine architect, to create a new city by the sea, one that would offer greater security and peace for the Yadu clan. The result was Dwarka, a city that would serve as a new base for Shree Krishna and his people, free from the relentless threat of evil kings like Jarasandh.
Lesson
- Shree Krishna’s decision to leave Mathura and relocate to Dwarka demonstrates that sometimes moving away from a hostile environment is the wisest course of action.
The Kidnapping of Rukmini
As Shree Krishna focused on securing the safety of his people, events were unfolding in Vidarbha, where King Bhishmak was arranging the marriage of his daughter, Rukmini. Her brother, Rukmi, had formed an alliance on her behalf with Shishupal, a powerful king. However, Rukmini had already given her heart to Shree Krishna, and she refused to marry anyone else. In a bold move, she sent a Brahmin named Sudev with a message to Shree Krishna, expressing her desire to marry him and asking him to come and kidnap her before the marriage to Shishupal could take place.
Rukmini’s message, composed in seven verses, invited Shree Krishna to take action, as the marriage to Shishupal was a violation of her heart’s desire. She even gave Shree Krishna instructions on how to find her, stating that she would be at the temple of Jagadamba, where he could abduct her and take her away to be married. Shree Krishna, upon receiving the message, immediately set out for Vidarbha.
As the wedding procession for Rukmini and Shishupal began, Shree Krishna arrived and made his move. He intercepted Rukmini as she emerged from the temple and whisked her away, despite the presence of the entire wedding party. The royal army attempted to stop Shree Krishna, but Lord Balaram arrived just in time to hold them off.
Rukmi pursued Shree Krishna, seeking to avenge the insult of the abduction. However, Shree Krishna, in a merciful but firm act, humiliated Rukmi by cutting off half of his hair and mustache, leaving him in disgrace. Rukmi was so mortified by this that he refused to return home. From that moment, the place where Rukmi stayed became known as Bhojgat.
Shree Krishna, along with Rukmini, continued their journey toward Dwarka. After reaching a place called Madhavpur, the marriage between Shree Krishna and Rukmini was formally celebrated, with the presence of King Bhishmak and other royal guests.
Lesson
- Shree Krishna’s abduction of Rukmini was a courageous act driven by love and devotion. It highlights the lengths one may go for true love, even when it requires breaking societal norms.
Conclusion
The story of Krishna’s victory over Kansa and the events that led to the creation of Dwarka, as well as his actions with Rukmini, offer several timeless lessons. His strategic decision to forgive Jarasandh and other adversaries, his wisdom in relocating to Dwarka, and his ability to act decisively when necessary reflect qualities that are valuable in all aspects of life today.
In the modern world, everyone faces conflicts, challenges, and adversities. Shree Krishna’s example teaches the importance of patience, strategic thinking, and the power of forgiveness. His ability to turn every situation to his advantage with intelligence and foresight is a lesson for anyone navigating difficult times. Similarly, his bold actions for the sake of love remind everyone of the importance of following one's heart and standing by principles.
Today, Shree Krishna’s life guides everyone on how to approach challenges with wisdom, and how sometimes, the greatest victories come not from immediate confrontation but through strategic patience and decisive action when the moment is right.
Call to Action
- Immerse yourself in the divine pastimes of Shree Krishna and transform your spiritual journey by listening to Swami Mukundananda's Srimad Bhagavatam sessions on YouTube.
- Experience divine blessings and spiritual protection by participating in the sacred Sudarshan Narasimha Homam on 18th Nov 2025 at the Radha Krishna Temple of Dallas. Join this powerful fire ceremony to remove obstacles, purify the mind, and invite peace, health, and prosperity into your life—register now at www.radhakrishnatemple.net/sudarshan-narsimha-homam.
- To learn more about spiritual growth and self-transformation, visit www.jkyog.org, where you can explore a variety of upcoming events, participate in guided meditations, and experience Swami Mukundananda's enlightening wisdom series designed to help you live each day with greater light, clarity, purpose, and inner peace.
FAQs
1. Why did Shree Krishna forgive Jarasandh despite his repeated attacks?
Shree Krishna forgave Jarasandh each time because he understood that by sparing him, Jarasandh would continue to gather other evil kings, ultimately bringing them together for a final confrontation. This strategy allowed Shree Krishna to defeat all of his enemies at once.
2. How did Shree Krishna’s decision to leave Mathura lead to the creation of Dwaraka?
After numerous attacks by Jarasandh and other enemies, Shree Krishna decided to leave Mathura for safety. He instructed Vishwakarma to build Dwarka, a fortified city by the sea, which would provide peace and protection for his people.
3. Why did Rukmini choose Shree Krishna over her arranged marriage to Shishupal?
Rukmini had already given her heart to Shree Krishna and refused to marry anyone else. She sent a message to Shree Krishna, inviting him to abduct her and take her away, as she could not bear the thought of marrying Shishupal.
4. How did Shree Krishna handle Rukmi’s pursuit after the abduction of Rukmini?
Shree Krishna humiliated Rukmi by cutting off half of his hair and mustache, leaving him ashamed. Rukmi, unable to face the disgrace, refused to return to his home, and the place became known as Bhojgat.
5. What can we learn from Shree Krishna’s actions in this story?
Krishna’s actions teach us the importance of forgiveness, strategic thinking, and patience. He demonstrated that wisdom and intelligence often lead to the greatest victories, and that love and devotion should always guide our decisions.
Resources
Specific Blog
What Lessons Does Shree Krishna’s Confrontation with Kansa Offer for Today?