Shloka 17
Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma’s Forest Games and the Slaying of Pralamba
पशूंश्चारयतोर्गोपैस्तद्वने रामकृष्णयो: । गोपरूपी प्रलम्बोऽगादसुरस्तज्जिहीर्षया ॥ १७ ॥
paśūṁś cārayator gopais tad-vane rāma-kṛṣṇayoḥ gopa-rūpī pralambo ’gād asuras taj-jihīrṣayā
As Rāma and Kṛṣṇa, along with Their cowherd friends, were herding the animals in that forest, the demon Pralamba entered their midst disguised as a cowherd boy, intent on kidnapping Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma.
Having described how Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma acted just like ordinary boys, Śukadeva Gosvāmī will now reveal one of the Lord’s transcendental pastimes that is beyond the range of human activity. According to Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura, the demon Pralamba disguised himself as a particular cowherd boy who on that day had remained at home with duties to perform.
FAQs
Pralamba is a demon who enters Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma’s Vraja pastimes by disguising himself as a cowherd boy, intending to kidnap Them.
Because direct attack would fail; he tried deception—blending in with the cowherd boys—to get close enough to abduct Balarāma and Kṛṣṇa.
Spiritual obstacles can appear in familiar forms; devotees stay alert, take shelter of Kṛṣṇa, and rely on divine protection rather than outward appearances.