Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 37
Aghāsura-vadha: The Killing and Deliverance of Aghāsura
एतत् कौमारजं कर्म हरेरात्माहिमोक्षणम् । मृत्यो: पौगण्डके बाला दृष्ट्वोचुर्विस्मिता व्रजे ॥ ३७ ॥
etat kaumārajaṁ karma harer ātmāhi-mokṣaṇam mṛtyoḥ paugaṇḍake bālā dṛṣṭvocur vismitā vraje
This was a deed of Hari in His early boyhood: He saved Himself and His companions from death, and He granted deliverance to Aghāsura, who had assumed the form of a python. It occurred when Kṛṣṇa was five years old; yet in Vraja it was revealed only a year later, as though it had happened that very day, and the boys spoke of it in amazement.
The word mokṣaṇam means “liberation.” For the associates of Kṛṣṇa and for Kṛṣṇa Himself, there is no question about liberation; they are already liberated, being in the spiritual world. In the material world there are birth, death, old age and disease, but in the spiritual world there are no such things because everything is eternal. As for the python, however, by the association of Kṛṣṇa and His devotees, Aghāsura also achieved the same facility of eternal life. Therefore, as indicated here by the word ātmāhi-mokṣaṇam, if the python Aghāsura could receive eternal association with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, what is to be said of those who are already associates of the Lord? Sākaṁ vijahruḥ kṛta-puṇya-puñjāḥ ( Bhāg. 10.12.11). Here is proof that God is good for everyone. Even when He kills someone, the one who is killed attains liberation. What then is to be said of those who are already in the association of the Lord?
FAQs
This verse states that Hari’s childhood pastime displayed His divine greatness and freed the Vraja boys from death, leaving them astonished.
Because they directly witnessed an extraordinary act of Kṛṣṇa that revealed His supreme power and protection—something far beyond ordinary childhood play.
Remembering that the Lord safeguards His devotees can deepen faith during fear and uncertainty, encouraging steady bhakti instead of anxiety.