Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 29
Utthāna Ceremony, Śakaṭa-bhañga, Tṛṇāvarta-vadha, and the Vision of the Universe in Kṛṣṇa’s Mouth
तमन्तरिक्षात् पतितं शिलायां विशीर्णसर्वावयवं करालम् । पुरं यथा रुद्रशरेण विद्धं स्त्रियो रुदत्यो ददृशु: समेता: ॥ २९ ॥
tam antarikṣāt patitaṁ śilāyāṁ viśīrṇa-sarvāvayavaṁ karālam puraṁ yathā rudra-śareṇa viddhaṁ striyo rudatyo dadṛśuḥ sametāḥ
While the gopīs who had gathered were crying for Kṛṣṇa, the demon fell from the sky onto a big slab of stone, his limbs dislocated, as if he had been pierced by the arrow of Lord Śiva like Tripurāsura.
In transcendental life, as soon as devotees of the Lord merge in lamentation, they immediately experience the Lord’s transcendental activities and merge in transcendental bliss. Actually such devotees are always in transcendental bliss, and such apparent calamities provide a further impetus for that bliss.
FAQs
The demon is seen fallen from the sky onto a stone, his body and limbs shattered, as the Vraja women gather and weep at the terrifying sight.
The simile emphasizes total devastation—just as Rudra’s arrows can ruin a city, the demon’s body is utterly broken, highlighting the completeness of divine protection in Krishna’s līlā.
Even when danger appears overwhelming, the Bhagavatam teaches that the Lord’s protection can be swift and decisive; a devotee cultivates faith and steadiness amid fear and uncertainty.