62 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 10, Ch. 1

Sri-vasudevah uvdca—the great personality Vasudeva said; slagha-
niya-gunah—a person who possesses praiseworthy qualities; siraih—by
great heroes; bhavan—your good self; bhoja-yasah-karah—a brilliant
star in the Bhoja dynasty; sah—one such as your good self; katham—
how; bhaginim—your sister; hanydt—can kill; striyam—especially a
woman; udvadha-parvani—at the time of the marriage ceremony.

TRANSLATION

Vasudeva said: My dear brother-in-law Karhsa, you are the pride
of your family, the Bhoja dynasty, and great heroes praise your
qualities. How could such a qualified person as you kill a woman,
your own sister, especially on the occasion of her marriage?

PURPORT

According to Vedic principles, a bréhmana, an old man, a woman, a
child or a cow cannot be killed under any circumstances. Vasudeva
stressed that Devaki was not only a woman but a member of Karnsa’s
family. Because she was now married to Vasudeva, she was para-stri,
another man’s wife, and if such a woman were killed, not only would
Karnsa be implicated in sinful activities, but his reputation as king of the
Bhoja dynasty would be damaged. Thus Vasudeva tried in many ways to
convince Karnsa in order to stop him from killing Devaki.

TEXT 38

agua ak Ba ae aa
HY ATA AT TAT Mra TA? URI

mrtyur janmavatam vira
dehena saha jayate
adya vabda-satante va
mrtyur vai pranindm dhruvah

mrtyuh—death; janma-vataém—of the living entities who have taken
birth; vira—O great hero; dehena saha—along with the body; jayate—
is born (one who has taken birth is sure to die); adya—today; va—
