Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 30
Aghāsura-vadha: The Killing and Deliverance of Aghāsura
तच्छ्रुत्वा भगवान्कृष्णस्त्वव्यय: सार्भवत्सकम् । चूर्णीचिकीर्षोरात्मानं तरसा ववृधे गले ॥ ३० ॥
tac chrutvā bhagavān kṛṣṇas tv avyayaḥ sārbha-vatsakam cūrṇī-cikīrṣor ātmānaṁ tarasā vavṛdhe gale
When the invincible Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, heard the demigods crying “Alas! Alas!” from behind the clouds, He immediately enlarged Himself within the demon’s throat, just to save Himself and the cowherd boys, His own associates, from the demon who wished to smash them.
Such are the acts of Kṛṣṇa. Paritrāṇāya sādhūnāṁ vināśāya ca duṣkṛtām ( Bg. 4.8 ). By enlarging Himself within the throat of the demon, Kṛṣṇa suffocated and killed him and at the same time saved Himself and His associates from imminent death and also saved the demigods from lamentation.
FAQs
In this verse, Śukadeva explains that Kṛṣṇa, hearing of the danger, desired to crush Vatsāsura and instantly expanded within the demon’s throat, overpowering him from within.
Kṛṣṇa chose a decisive, effortless divine act: by expanding inside the throat, He prevented harm to the calves and cowherd boys and destroyed the demon in a way that displayed His supreme control (avyayaḥ).
It teaches trust in divine protection: when danger or negativity “swallows” us, remembrance of Kṛṣṇa and steady devotion can bring inner strength and a way out, even when external options seem limited.