Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 48
Gokula’s Wonder, Kṛṣṇa’s Bhakta-vaśyatā, the Move to Vṛndāvana, and the Slaying of Vatsāsura and Bakāsura
स वै बको नाम महानसुरो बकरूपधृक् । आगत्य सहसा कृष्णं तीक्ष्णतुण्डोऽग्रसद् बली ॥ ४८ ॥
sa vai bako nāma mahān asuro baka-rūpa-dhṛk āgatya sahasā kṛṣṇaṁ tīkṣṇa-tuṇḍo ’grasad balī
That great-bodied demon was named Bakāsura. He had assumed the body of a duck with a very sharp beak. Having come there, he immediately swallowed Kṛṣṇa.
FAQs
This verse introduces Bakāsura as a powerful demon in the form of a crane who suddenly attacks and swallows Kṛṣṇa, setting the stage for Kṛṣṇa’s protection of Vraja.
In Kṛṣṇa’s Vraja-līlā, demons are sent to harm Him and terrify the residents; Bakāsura comes abruptly in disguise and tries to kill Kṛṣṇa by swallowing Him.
The verse reminds devotees that dangers can appear suddenly, yet remembrance of Kṛṣṇa and steady bhakti cultivate inner fearlessness and trust in divine protection.