Shloka 8
Vasudeva Meets Nanda; Pūtanā’s Fall; Viṣṇu-Rakṣā (Protective Hymn) in Gokula
यस्मै यस्मै स्तनं रात्रौ पूतना संप्रयच्छति तस्य तस्य क्षणेनाङ्गं बालकस्योपहन्यते
yasmai yasmai stanaṃ rātrau pūtanā saṃprayacchati tasya tasya kṣaṇenāṅgaṃ bālakasyopahanyate
রাতে পূতনা যাকে-যাকে স্তন দেয়, সেই-সেই শিশুর দেহ মুহূর্তেই বিনষ্ট হয়ে যায়।
Sage Parāśara (narrating to Maitreya)
FAQs
It symbolizes disguised adharma—nurture turned into harm—showing how demonic forces attempt to corrupt life itself, yet are ultimately powerless before Hari’s presence.
He describes her action as universally lethal—any child she feeds is struck down instantly—thereby heightening the narrative contrast with the divine child who cannot be overcome.
Even when not named in the verse, the surrounding Kṛṣṇa narrative presents Vishnu’s avatāra as the supreme protector whose sovereignty overturns death-dealing forces.