Shloka 28
Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma’s Forest Games and the Slaying of Pralamba
अथागतस्मृतिरभयो रिपुं बलो विहायसार्थमिव हरन्तमात्मन: । रुषाहनच्छिरसि दृढेन मुष्टिना सुराधिपो गिरिमिव वज्ररंहसा ॥ २८ ॥
athāgata-smṛtir abhayo ripuṁ balo vihāya sārtham iva harantam ātmanaḥ ruṣāhanac chirasi dṛḍhena muṣṭinā surādhipo girim iva vajra-raṁhasā
Remembering the actual situation, the fearless Balarama became furious and struck the demon’s head with His hard fist, just as Indra strikes a mountain with his thunderbolt.
Lord Balarāma’s powerful fist came crashing down upon the demon’s head, just as a huge lightning bolt comes crashing into a mountain, cracking its stone surface into pieces. The words vihāya sārtham iva may also be divided vihāyasā artham iva, meaning that the demon was flying in the sky on the cosmic path, vihāyas, with the purpose of carrying off Balarāma, who was his artham, or object of pursuit.
FAQs
It describes Balarāma regaining composure while being carried through the sky and then crushing Pralamba by striking his head with a powerful fist, compared to Indra’s thunderbolt.
The comparison highlights the irresistible speed and force of Balarāma’s blow—like Vajra, Indra’s weapon, that can shatter even a mountain.
When danger or confusion arises, regain clarity and courage; with steadiness and righteous resolve, obstacles that seem overwhelming can be decisively overcome.