Shloka 40
Kṛṣṇa Slays Kuvalayāpīḍa and Enters Kaṁsa’s Wrestling Arena
तस्माद्भवद्भ्यां बलिभिर्योद्धव्यं नानयोऽत्र वै । मयि विक्रम वार्ष्णेय बलेन सह मुष्टिक: ॥ ४० ॥
tasmād bhavadbhyāṁ balibhir yoddhavyaṁ nānayo ’tra vai mayi vikrama vārṣṇeya balena saha muṣṭikaḥ
Therefore you two should fight powerful wrestlers; there is nothing unfair in this. O descendant of Vṛṣṇi, display Your prowess against me, and let Balarāma contend with Muṣṭika.
Thus end the purports of the humble servants of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda to the Tenth Canto, Forty-third Chapter, of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, entitled “Kṛṣṇa Kills the Elephant Kuvalayāpīḍa.”
FAQs
This verse shows the wrestlers formally challenging Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma in the arena, setting the stage for the Lord’s pastime of protecting the righteous and defeating Kamsa’s agents.
As Kamsa’s champion, Chāṇūra insists that the match must proceed and assigns Muṣṭika to fight Kṛṣṇa while directing Balarāma to fight the other opponent, attempting to force the brothers into combat publicly.
When duty calls and injustice must be faced, avoid unnecessary diversion—act with courage and steadiness, trusting that righteous action under divine guidance leads to protection and victory over wrongdoing.