Verse Text
mātsaryādyāḥ pratīyante doṣatvena yad apy amī |
līlā-viśeṣa-śālitvān nirdoṣe ’tra guṇāḥ smṛtāḥ ||239||
Translation
Although qualities such as envy mentioned in verse 236 appear to be faults, they should be regarded as good qualities in Kṛṣṇa, because they are befitting certain pastimes.
Purport (Jiva Goswami)
These qualities are suitable (śālitvāt) for certain pastimes such as punishing the wicked in order to protect the devotees.
Purport (Nectar of Devotion)
The above statement by Kṛṣṇa seems apparently to be of an envious nature, but according to different pastimes, places and times this quality is accepted as a great characteristic. Kṛṣṇa’s dhīroddhata qualities have been accepted as great because Kṛṣṇa uses them only to protect His devotees. In other words, even undesirable traits may also be used in the exchange of devotional service.