JAPA TIME — Shishupala-vadha-lila — Lord Krishna slays Shishupala at the Rajasuya sacrifice

Pramāṇa (Śāstra reference)

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Canto 10, Chapter 74 — during the Rajasuya sacrifice of King Yudhisthira, Lord Krishna is chosen for the first worship. Unable to tolerate this honor, Shishupala blasphemes the Lord before the whole assembly. The Lord then sends forth His Sudarshana disc and kills him.

Saṅkṣepa (short meaning)

This lila reveals both the Lord’s tolerance and His final justice. Lord Krishna quietly endures Shishupala’s harsh blasphemy for a long time, but when the offense reaches its limit, He acts decisively. The lila shows that Bhagavan is infinitely patient, yet never indifferent to aggression against dharma. It also reveals a deeper mystery: even one who thinks of the Lord with hostility becomes absorbed in Him, and Shishupala’s effulgence enters Krishna after death. Thus the Lord remains supreme in justice, mercy, and spiritual power.

Śāstra-pramāṇa (key points from the text)

The first worship is offered to Krishna

At the Rajasuya sacrifice, the assembled elders cannot decide who should receive the first worship, and Sahadeva declares that Krishna alone is most worthy.
(Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Canto 10, Chapter 74)

Yudhisthira worships the Lord

King Yudhisthira worships Lord Krishna before the whole assembly, and the great personalities approve with joy.
(Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Canto 10, Chapter 74)

Shishupala blasphemes Krishna

Shishupala rises in anger and loudly insults Krishna, unable to tolerate the Lord’s glorification.
(Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Canto 10, Chapter 74)

Saintly persons refuse to hear offense

Many saintly persons cover their ears or leave, unwilling to hear blasphemy of the Lord.
(Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Canto 10, Chapter 74)

Krishna restrains the warriors

The Pandavas and allied kings rise with weapons, but Lord Krishna stops them.
(Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Canto 10, Chapter 74)

The Sudarshana disc acts

Krishna personally releases the Sudarshana disc and cuts off Shishupala’s head.
(Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Canto 10, Chapter 74)

Shishupala’s effulgence enters Krishna

A brilliant light emerges from Shishupala’s body and enters Lord Krishna.
(Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Canto 10, Chapter 74)

Tattva (essential teaching) — with śāstra

Krishna is the highest object of worship

The Lord is the rightful object of highest worship because all sacrifice, all gods, and all cosmic order rest upon Him.

Do not hear blasphemy

Blasphemy of Bhagavan and His devotees is spiritually destructive; saintly persons will not tolerate hearing it.

The Lord acts at the proper moment

Krishna is patient, self-controlled, and majestic: He does not react impulsively, but acts at the proper moment.

Justice and mercy remain united

The Lord’s justice is never separate from His mercy; even in punishment, His supreme spiritual position remains beyond material duality.

Sevā today (practice for this day)

1. Pray to be protected from offense

Chant one attentive round praying, “O Krishna, please protect me from offense and keep my heart fixed in reverence for You.”

2. Avoid criticism today

Be careful today not to participate in criticism of the Lord, His names, His devotees, or sacred service.

3. Act in proper consciousness

Reflect on the difference between emotional reaction and dharmic action, and pray for the steadiness to act only in proper consciousness.

Krishna is patient, self-controlled and majestic: He acts at the proper moment.

— Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Canto 10, Chapter 74

How to use this darśanam page

View the image, read the narration and śāstra-pramāṇa, contemplate the tattva, and complete the practice through seva. Follow the sequence: darśana → śravaṇa → manana → seva.