Shloka 3

Kṛṣṇa Slays Kuvalayāpīḍa and Enters Kaṁsa’s Wrestling Arena

Devanagari script

बद्ध्वा परिकरं शौरि: समुह्य कुटिलालकान् । उवाच हस्तिपं वाचा मेघनादगभीरया ॥ ३ ॥

Transliteration

baddhvā parikaraṁ śauriḥ samuhya kuṭilālakān uvāca hastipaṁ vācā megha-nāda-gabhīrayā

Translation

Śauri band seine Gewänder fest, strich die lockigen Haarsträhnen zurück und sprach den Elefantenführer mit einer Stimme an, tief wie das Grollen der Wolken.

Synonyms

• बद्ध्वा: having tied/bound
• बद्ध्वा: Purvakala (पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √बन्ध् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (gerund)

• परिकरम्: his girdle/waistband (attire)
• परिकरम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: परिकर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• शौरिः: Śauri (Kṛṣṇa)
• शौरिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शौरि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन (Kṛṣṇa as descendant of Śūra)

• समुह्य: having gathered/arranged
• समुह्य: Purvakala (पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्+√ऊह् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (gerund); ‘gathering/arranging’

• कुटिल-अलकान्: curly locks of hair
• कुटिल-अलकान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुटिल (प्रातिपदिक) + अलक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; कर्मधारयः: कुटिलाः अलकाः (curly locks)

• उवाच: said
• उवाच: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √वच् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन

• हस्तिपम्: to the elephant-keeper/driver
• हस्तिपम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हस्तिप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• वाचा: with (his) speech/voice
• वाचा: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाच् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• मेघ-नाद-गभीरया: with a deep voice like thunder
• मेघ-नाद-गभीरया: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मेघ (प्रातिपदिक) + नाद (प्रातिपदिक) + गभीर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषणं ‘वाचा’ इत्यस्य; समासः: मेघस्य नाद इव गभीरः (deep like thunder)

Purport

Lord Kṛṣṇa was obviously preparing for a fight. According to Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura, the Lord put aside His jacket, tightened His belt and tied back His hair.

Characters & Entities

• Śrī Kṛṣṇa (Śauri)
• Elephant-keeper (Kuvalayāpīḍa’s mahout)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Krishna’s mood before facing Kamsa’s challenges?

This verse shows Kṛṣṇa calmly preparing Himself—tying His garments, arranging His hair—and speaking with a thunder-deep voice, revealing fearless divine composure before confronting danger.

Why did Krishna speak to the elephant-keeper in Canto 10 Chapter 43?

As Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma approached the arena, the elephant and its keeper were positioned as an obstacle; Kṛṣṇa addressed the keeper directly, initiating the encounter that leads to the elephant’s defeat.

Practical application of Krishna’s fearlessness in modern life?

Before a difficult confrontation, prepare steadily and speak with clarity—like Kṛṣṇa’s poised readiness—acting without panic while holding firm to dharma and inner faith.