Shloka 16
Aghāsura-vadha: The Killing and Deliverance of Aghāsura
इति व्यवस्याजगरं बृहद् वपु: स योजनायाममहाद्रिपीवरम् । धृत्वाद्भुतं व्यात्तगुहाननं तदा पथि व्यशेत ग्रसनाशया खल: ॥ १६ ॥
iti vyavasyājagaraṁ bṛhad vapuḥ sa yojanāyāma-mahādri-pīvaram dhṛtvādbhutaṁ vyātta-guhānanaṁ tadā pathi vyaśeta grasanāśayā khalaḥ
Nachdem er dies beschlossen hatte, nahm der böse Aghāsura die Gestalt einer riesigen Python an, dick wie ein Berg und acht Meilen lang. Er legte sich mit einem Maul wie eine Höhle auf den Weg.
FAQs
This verse describes the demon’s strategy: he takes a gigantic python-like form, lies across the path with a cave-like mouth open, intending to swallow Kṛṣṇa and the cowherd boys.
To emphasize the terrifying scale of the asura’s deception—his mouth is so vast it resembles a mountain cave, making the trap appear like a natural opening on the path.
Danger can appear “normal” and inviting, like a path-side opening; the verse encourages vigilance and reliance on Kṛṣṇa’s protection when facing deceptive, harmful influences.