Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.27.17
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
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gamyatām
—
you may go
Impersonal passive imperative of √gam. Kṛṣṇa's formal release — Indra is dismissed back to svarga. The Bhāgavatam keeps cosmic hierarchy intact even after surrender; the devatās have work.
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anuśāsanam
—
My order
From anu-√śās (to instruct, command). Same word Indra used in verse 7 to reframe his punishment. Kṛṣṇa now uses it of His ongoing instruction — Indra is dispatched as one who carries Kṛṣṇa's anuśāsana.
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sva-adhikāreṣu
—
in your own responsibilities
Compound: sva (own) + adhikāra (post, qualification). Indra's varṇāśrama duty as king of heaven is preserved. Gauḍīyas note that bhakti does not erase adhikāra — it sanctifies it.
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yuktaiḥ
—
soberly engaged
Past participle of √yuj (to join, to be engaged, to be sober). The same root as yoga — Indra is sent back yoga-yuktaḥ, joined-with-Me. The same root that defines BG 2.48's instructions to Arjuna.
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stambha-varjitaiḥ
—
devoid of false pride
Compound: stambha (stiffness, pride) + varjita (devoid of). The condition of return: same post, no pillar. Gauḍīyas read this as the cure-state — adhikāra without ahaṅkāra.
Lord Kṛṣṇa here addresses Indra in the plural form ( vaḥ ) because this grave instruction was meant to be a lesson for all the demigods.
Though Indra was alone, Krsna addresses him in the plural. This indicates other devatas like Varuna (who is mentioned in the twenty eighth chapter) were also included in his orders. "Being sober (yuktah), without pride , be situated in your positions, otherwise I will punish you again." The Lord did not promise here that Indra would not be afflicted by pride again. That is because later Indra would show pride when Krsna stole the parijata flower. Price would be necessary for carrying out that pastime.
“Then give me mercy so that I may stay in Vraja.” Go to your place. May there be safety for you. He released him from fear. For real devotees however this is not safety. Seeing him reluctant to go, he then said, “Going there, you should follow my order.” Since you are unqualified, your staying here would produce more offense. Going is better. Or “O Lord, even if I go, I will commit offense since that is the nature of having powers.” Do as I have instructed: remain in your qualified position not in that of others ---what to speak of the position of the people of Vraja, my intimate associates. Act with no inattention or with bhakti-yoga (yuktaih) and without pride, or with devotees (stambha-varjitaiḥ). Giving this benediction was not really mercy but merely instruction with logic, since he was not otherwise capable, since he did not have the potential for complete mercy. By not following his instructions, Indra would later again commit offense. That is revealed when Kṛṣṇa took the pārijāta tree.
- Which of my roles might the Lord be sending me back into with the instruction 'be sober'?
- Where am I expecting to lose the role when actually I am invited to keep it humbler?
A general, having scolded a cadet, hands him back his rifle and orders him back to his post — sober now, but still a soldier. Kṛṣṇa does not strip Indra of his office; He returns him to it, reformed. Bhakti does not abolish dharma; it reorders it under Bhagavān.
My note
Source: vedabase.io