Shloka 23
The Deliverance of Nalakūvara and Maṇigrīva
Yamala-Arjuna Līlā Prelude and Culmination
श्रीशुक उवाच एवमुक्त्वा स देवर्षिर्गतो नारायणाश्रमम् । नलकूवरमणिग्रीवावासतुर्यमलार्जुनौ ॥ २३ ॥
śrī-śuka uvāca evam uktvā sa devarṣir gato nārāyaṇāśramam nalakūvara-maṇigrīvāv āsatur yamalārjunau
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Having spoken thus, the great sage Devarṣi Nārada returned to his āśrama, known as Nārāyaṇa-āśrama, and Nalakūvara and Maṇigrīva became twin arjuna trees.
Arjuna trees are still found in many forests, and their skin is used by cardiologists to prepare medicine for heart trouble. This means that even though they are trees, they are disturbed when skinned for medical science.
FAQs
This verse concludes that after Nārada spoke and left for Nārāyaṇa’s āśrama, Nalakūvara and Maṇigrīva remained as the twin arjuna trees—setting the stage for their eventual deliverance through Kṛṣṇa’s līlā.
The verse indicates that Nārada, having completed his instruction and the arrangement of their corrective fate, simply departed to Nārāyaṇa’s hermitage—showing the sage’s detachment and continual devotion to the Lord.
It highlights that consequences can be transformative: accepting discipline and guidance from saintly persons can turn downfall into purification and ultimately lead one toward devotion and liberation.