Shloka 2
तालवन-उद्धारः: धेनुकासुरवधः, फल-समृद्धिः, गो-क्षेमः
तत् तु तालवनं नित्यं धेनुको नाम दानवः नृगोमांसकृताहारः सदाध्यास्ते खराकृतिः
tat tu tālavanaṃ nityaṃ dhenuko nāma dānavaḥ nṛgomāṃsakṛtāhāraḥ sadādhyāste kharākṛtiḥ
Jener Palmenhain Tālavana war unablässig von dem Asura namens Dhenuka besetzt, der Menschen- und Rindfleisch fraß und dort stets in Gestalt eines wilden Esels hauste.
Sage Parāśara (narrating to Maitreya)
Vishnu Form: Krishna
Bhakti Type: Sakhya
FAQs
This verse frames Tālavana as a space seized by adharma—dominated by the demon Dhenuka—setting up its later purification and the restoration of rightful order.
Parāśara characterizes Dhenuka as a constant occupier of the grove, predatory by nature (feeding on humans and cattle) and concealed in a donkey-like form, emphasizing enduring, entrenched harm.
By depicting a realm held by violent adharma, the narrative prepares for Vishnu’s protecting sovereignty manifested through Krishna, who restores dharma by removing such destructive forces.