Kṛṣṇa Slays Kuvalayāpīḍa and Enters Kaṁsa’s Wrestling Arena
मृतकं द्विपमुत्सृज्य दन्तपाणि: समाविशत् । अंसन्यस्तविषाणोऽसृङ्मदबिन्दुभिरङ्कित: । विरूढस्वेदकणिकावदनाम्बुरुहो बभौ ॥ १५ ॥
mṛtakaṁ dvipam utsṛjya danta-pāṇiḥ samāviśat aṁsa-nyasta-viṣāṇo ’sṛṅ- mada-bindubhir aṅkitaḥ virūḍha-sveda-kaṇikā vadanāmburuho babhau
Den toten Elefanten beiseite lassend, trat der Herr Kṛṣṇa, den Stoßzahn in der Hand, in die Kampfarena ein. Der Stoßzahn ruhte auf Seiner Schulter; Sein Leib war von Blut-, Schweiß- und Rauschsafttropfen des Elefanten besprenkelt, und Sein lotusgleiches Antlitz, von feinen Perlen Seines eigenen Schweißes bedeckt, erstrahlte in großer Schönheit.
This verse describes Kṛṣṇa entering the arena after killing the elephant, still radiant—His lotus face shining with beads of sweat—showing that His divine beauty is never diminished, even amid combat.
After defeating Kaṁsa’s elephant (Kuvalayāpīḍa), Kṛṣṇa took its tusk as a weapon and walked into the arena, signaling His fearlessness and readiness to confront Kaṁsa’s champions.
Do your duty with courage, but remain inwardly centered in devotion—like Kṛṣṇa, whose splendor and composure remain intact even after intense struggle.