Shloka 21

The Killing of Cāṇūra, Muṣṭika, and Kaṁsa; Liberation and Restoration of Dharma in Mathurā

Devanagari script

स श्येनवेग उत्पत्य मुष्टीकृत्य करावुभौ । भगवन्तं वासुदेवं क्रुद्धो वक्षस्यबाधत ॥ २१ ॥

Transliteration

sa śyena-vega utpatya muṣṭī-kṛtya karāv ubhau bhagavantaṁ vāsudevaṁ kruddho vakṣasy abādhata

Translation

Enraged, Cāṇūra sprang with a hawk’s speed, clenched both fists, and struck Lord Vāsudeva upon the chest.

Synonyms

• सः: he (Cāṇūra)
• सः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; Nominative singular

• श्येन-वेगः: with falcon-like speed
• श्येन-वेगः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्येन (प्रातिपदिक) + वेग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; Nominative singular; समासः उपमान-तत्पुरुषः (श्येनवत् वेगः)

• उत्पत्य: having sprung up
• उत्पत्य: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: उत्+पत् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्यय (gerund); ‘having leapt up’

• मुष्टी-कृत्य: making (his hands) into fists
• मुष्टी-कृत्य: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: मुष्टि (प्रातिपदिक) + कृ (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्यय; ‘having made (them) into fists’

• करौ: (his) two hands
• करौ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, द्विवचन; Accusative dual

• उभौ: both
• उभौ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उभ (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, द्विवचन; Accusative dual; विशेषणम् (करौ)

• भगवन्तम्: the Lord
• भगवन्तम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भगवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; Accusative singular

• वासुदेवम्: Vāsudeva (Kṛṣṇa)
• वासुदेवम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वासुदेव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; Accusative singular; अपपद-सम्बन्धेन विशेष्य (भगवन्तम्)

• क्रुद्धः: angry
• क्रुद्धः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: क्रुध् (धातु) → क्रुद्ध (कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त भूतकृदन्त; ‘angered’ (qualifies सः)

• वक्षसि: on the chest
• वक्षसि: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वक्षस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; Locative singular

• अबाधत: struck/pressed, attacked
• अबाधत: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: बाध् (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (अनद्यतनभूत), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; Imperfect, 3rd person singular, active

Purport

It appears that Cāṇūra, realizing he was being defeated, became furious and made a final attempt to defeat Lord Kṛṣṇa. The demon certainly had the spirit of a good fighter, but if he hoped for victory, he was certainly in the wrong place at the wrong time with the wrong person.

Characters & Entities

• Vāsudeva (Śrī Kṛṣṇa)
• Muṣṭika (the wrestler)

FAQs

What does Srimad Bhagavatam say about Krishna fighting Muṣṭika?

This verse describes Muṣṭika leaping with hawk-like speed and, in anger, striking Lord Vāsudeva (Kṛṣṇa) on the chest—part of the Mathurā arena pastime where Kṛṣṇa subdues Kaṁsa’s wrestlers.

Why did Muṣṭika attack Krishna in the Mathura arena?

Muṣṭika was a champion wrestler employed by Kaṁsa; seeing Kṛṣṇa as an opponent in the staged match, he attacked with anger and force, even though Kṛṣṇa is Bhagavān.

What is the practical application of this shloka for modern life?

Devotees can remember that hostility may come suddenly and fiercely, yet the Lord remains supreme; staying steady in dharma and devotion helps one face aggression without losing inner composure.