Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 23
The Killing of Cāṇūra, Muṣṭika, and Kaṁsa; Liberation and Restoration of Dharma in Mathurā
नाचलत्तत्प्रहारेण मालाहत इव द्विप: । बाह्वोर्निगृह्य चाणूरं बहुशो भ्रामयन् हरि: ॥ २२ ॥ भूपृष्ठे पोथयामास तरसा क्षीणजीवितम् । विस्रस्ताकल्पकेशस्रगिन्द्रध्वज इवापतत् ॥ २३ ॥
nācalat tat-prahāreṇa mālāhata iva dvipaḥ bāhvor nigṛhya cāṇūraṁ bahuśo bhrāmayan hariḥ
No more shaken by the demon’s mighty blows than an elephant struck with a flower garland, Lord Kṛṣṇa grabbed Cāṇūra by his arms, swung him around several times and hurled him onto the ground with great force. His clothes, hair and garland scattering, the wrestler fell down dead, like a huge festival column collapsing.
Śrīla Śrīdhara Svāmī explains the words indra-dhvaja as follows: “In Bengal, on the occasion of a certain festival, people erect a tall column in the form of a man and decorate it with flags, banners, etc. He [Cāṇūra] fell just as such a pole might fall.”
FAQs
This verse shows Kṛṣṇa remains unmoved by Cāṇūra’s attacks and then effortlessly controls him by seizing his arms and spinning him—revealing divine, effortless supremacy.
In the Mathurā arena narrative, Kṛṣṇa counters Cāṇūra’s aggression with decisive control, turning the wrestler’s force against him and preparing for his defeat.
Cultivate steadiness under provocation—through devotion, self-control, and remembrance of God—so external “blows” don’t shake inner purpose.