Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.70.18
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
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uḍu-rājaḥ
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the king of the stars (the moon)
The moon-among-stars simile is the SB's most beloved image for Bhagavān among His devotees (cf. 10.32.14, the gopīs in rāsa). Here it is applied to Dvārakā: every assembly of Vaiṣṇavas has Kṛṣṇa as its moon.
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nr-siṁhaiḥ
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by lions among men
Nara-siṁha here is metaphorical for the Yadu heroes, but evocative of the Lord's own Nṛsiṁha-avatāra. Kṛṣṇa surrounded by 'lions among men' — His protectors are themselves portions of His own ferocity.
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yadu-uttamaḥ
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the best of the Yadus
Kṛṣṇa is yadu-uttama, the supreme Yadu, even though He is svayam bhagavān. He chooses to take rank within His dynasty rather than apart from it — līlā always honours family.
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sva-bhāsā
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by His own effulgence
His radiance is intrinsic, not borrowed. The same sva- that returned in the brāhma-muhūrta verse (sva-saṁsthayā, sva-śaktibhiḥ) marks Bhagavān as ever self-sufficient — and yet ever choosing relation.
The best of the Yadus was surrounded by the best among men (nrsimhaih), the Yadus.
There sitting on the most excellent throne, he shone because of his most excellent form, among his people who had been given similar forms. His throne also shone as the best among all the thrones including those of Ugrasena and others, even though these had been made most excellent. And he, as the supreme (vibhuḥ), shone in the Sudharmā hall, the best hall, endowed with the qualities of all best halls. He shone by his own effulgence, and illuminated all directions completely. He shone surrounded by the Yādavas since they, as his associates, were the best of all men, and since he was the best of the Yadus, displaying his special powers among the best of similar people. Thus the example of the moon and stars is apt.
There, sitting on the most excellent throne, the Lord, full of all auspicious qualities (vibhuḥ), shone because of his beauty (bhāsā), but was especially beautiful among his people, because they were the very best, with special bhakti (nṛsīmhaiḥ). Or they were similar to Nṛsiṁhadeva, having great courage and possessiveness. The Lord was especially beautiful in the company of his devotees since he is affectionate to his devotees. The reasons is that the Lord appeared with excellence in the Yadu dynasty to manifest unlimited qualities like affection for his devotees (yadūttamaḥ). By his nature he manifested all beauty since he was the best of Yadus. An example is given to illustrate how the great beauty manifested in the special place, with his devotees. The moon is beautiful in the sky with the stars.
- In what gathering am I the right person in the right seat — and have I taken it?
- Where does my mere presence offered fully serve more than my words?
Kṛṣṇa amidst the Yadu warriors is the moon among stars — but unlike the moon, He does not borrow His light. He gives light to every Yadu around Him, and yet they remain stars, not reflections. Acintya-bhedābheda: distinct yet of one effulgence.
My note
Source: vedabase.io