Devanagari
किं दु:सहं नु साधूनां विदुषां किमपेक्षितम्
किमकार्यं कदर्याणां दुस्त्यजं किं धृतात्मनाम् ॥ ५८ ॥
Verse text
kiṁ duḥsahaṁ nu sādhūnāṁ
viduṣāṁ kim apekṣitam
kim akāryaṁ kadaryāṇāṁ
dustyajaṁ kiṁ dhṛtātmanām
Synonyms
kim
—
what is
;
duḥsaham
—
painful
;
nu
—
indeed
;
sādhūnām
—
for saintly persons
;
viduṣām
—
of learned persons
;
kim apekṣitam
—
what is dependence
;
kim akāryam
—
what is forbidden work
;
kadaryāṇām
—
of persons in the lowest grade
;
dustyajam
—
very difficult to give up
;
kim
—
what is
;
dhṛta
—
ātmanām — of persons who are self-realized .
Translation
What is painful for saintly persons who strictly adhere to the truth? How could there not be independence for pure devotees who know the Supreme Lord as the substance? What deeds are forbidden for persons of the lowest character? And what cannot be given up for the sake of Lord Kṛṣṇa by those who have fully surrendered at His lotus feet?
Translation (Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura)
What is painful for saintly persons who strictly adhere to the truth? How could there not be independence for pure devotees who know the Supreme Lord as the substance? What deeds are forbidden for persons of the lowest character? And what cannot be given up for the sake of Lord Kṛṣṇa by those who have fully surrendered at His lotus feet?
KB 10.1.58
This event is very exemplary. For a great soul like Vasudeva, there is nothing considered to be painful in the course of discharging one’s duty. A learned person like Vasudeva carries out his duties without hesitation. On the other hand, a demon like Kaṁsa never hesitates in committing any abominable action. It is said, therefore, that a saintly person can tolerate all kinds of miserable conditions of life, a learned man can discharge his duties without awaiting favorable circumstances, a heinous person like Kaṁsa can act in any sinful way, and a devotee can sacrifice everything to satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Purport
Since the eighth son of Devakī was to kill Kaṁsa, one might ask what the need was for Vasudeva to deliver the first-born child. The answer is that Vasudeva had promised Kaṁsa that he would deliver all the children born of Devakī. Kaṁsa, being an
asura,
did not believe that the eighth child would kill him; he took it for granted that he might be killed by any of the children of Devakī. Vasudeva, therefore, to save Devakī, promised to give Kaṁsa every child, whether male or female. From another point of view, Vasudeva and Devakī were very pleased when they understood that the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, would come as their eighth son. Vasudeva, a pure devotee of the Lord, was eager to see Kṛṣṇa appear as his child from the eighth pregnancy of Devakī. Therefore he wanted to deliver all the children quickly so that the eighth turn would come and Kṛṣṇa would appear. He begot one child every year so that Kṛṣṇa’s turn to appear would come as soon as possible.
Purport (Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura)
Now the question arises, "How can I, who am afraid to tell a lie (sadhu), tolerate the murder of my own son before my eyes?" He gives the answer in this verse. Is it not intolerable for the sadhu? How could Vasudeva offer all the children, even without Kamsa ordering, instead of offering just the eighth child to Kamsa? It is not reasonable that a householder be indifferent to his children. The next phrase therefore replies. Vasudeva is not ignorant like the normal person in the material world. For a person with knowledge, devotion and detachment like Vasudeva, is this to be expected? On the other hand, can Kamsa kill his child when he brings that child to him? Is there no mercy in his heart? In answer to this he says, what can a wicked person not do? In order to avoid fault, should Vasudeva give up householder dharma and not produce any children? He answers: He who has desire to see the Lord in the form of his son, who holds the lord in his hear (drtatma) stays in his household life and bears a son. He could have affection for no other son. So let the eighth child be born quickly. "Let me willingly offer up the other children year after year, and take responsibility for their death, out of eagerness to see the Lord."
Purport (Jiva Goswami)
Nu indicates conjecture. What is difficult for the devotees to tolerant? They tolerate everything. The other sentences can be given similar meaning. Śrīdhara Svāmī’ has another explanation for the words. The unique quality of each individual is pointed out, not just a normal quality. What is intolerable for the person who keeps his promise (sādhūnām)? This indicates that Vasudeva gave up his desire to raise his sons. The fourth sentence should not repeat the meaning of the second sentence. Therefore in answer to the question “Why did Devakī give up her child?” it is said “What is difficult to renounce for those with determination.” “What is desired by the learned?” involves things which are unattained. “What is difficult to give up for the determined?” involves things which have been attained. That is the difference.
Another explanation is as follows. In order to confirm the tolerance of the devotee, the other statements are made as examples.
Purport (Sanatana Goswami)
Nu indicates rhetorical expression. What is difficult for the devotees to tolerate? They tolerate everything. The other questions in the verse can be given a similar meaning. Śrīdhara Svāmī’ has another explanation for the words. Or in order to confirm the tolerance of the devotee, the other statements are made as examples. Or it was mentioned that Vasudeva gave his son with great pain (kṛcchreṇa) in the last verse. “How could he bear that pain?” This verse answers. What do the devotees not tolerate? “Why did he not go to another place?” Those who know that the Lord will appear from Devakī, or those who know glories of Mathuṛa, do not think of other places. “But one should not think that he was attached to his house.” Those who have controlled minds, who are not attached to their house (dhṛtātmānām) can give up anything. What is difficult for them to give up, just as, what will a rascal not do?
Or “Why did Devakī not offer the child?” Vasudeva feared Kaṁsa would again try to kill her. What will the rascals not do?