Shloka 5

Kṛṣṇa Slays Kuvalayāpīḍa and Enters Kaṁsa’s Wrestling Arena

Devanagari script

एवं निर्भर्त्सितोऽम्बष्ठ: कुपित: कोपितं गजम् । चोदयामास कृष्णाय कालान्तकयमोपमम् ॥ ५ ॥

Transliteration

evaṁ nirbhartsito ’mbaṣṭhaḥ kupitaḥ kopitaṁ gajam codayām āsa kṛṣṇāya kālāntaka-yamopamam

Translation

Thus threatened, Ambastha the elephant-keeper grew angry. He urged on his raging elephant—terrible like Time, Death, and Yamarāja—to attack Lord Kṛṣṇa.

Synonyms

एवम्thus

निर्भर्त्सितःrebuked, scolded

अम्बष्ठःthe ambaṣṭha (mahout)

कुपितःangry

कोपितम्enraged, provoked

गजम्the elephant

चोदयामासurged on, drove

कृष्णायagainst/for Krishna (as target)

कालान्तकयमोपमम्like Death (Yama), the ender of time

Characters & Entities

Kṛṣṇa

Ambaṣṭha (the mahout/elephant-trainer)

Yama

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Krishna’s power over death in Canto 10?

This verse compares the charging elephant to Yama, the agent of death, yet it is being sent toward Kṛṣṇa—implying that even death-like danger is powerless before the Supreme Lord in His līlā.

Why did the mahout (Ambaṣṭha) send the enraged elephant toward Krishna?

After being rebuked, the mahout became angry and, in retaliation, goaded the already provoked elephant to attack Kṛṣṇa as part of Kaṁsa’s hostile scheme in Mathurā.

What is a practical takeaway from this shloka for modern life?

When confronted by intimidation or “death-like” fear, a devotee remembers Kṛṣṇa’s protection and responds with steadiness rather than panic, keeping faith that the Lord is greater than any threat.