Shloka 21
The Slaying of Narakāsura (Bhaumāsura), Rescue of the Princesses, and the Pārijāta Episode Begins
शूलं भौमोऽच्युतं हन्तुमाददे वितथोद्यम: । तद्विसर्गात् पूर्वमेव नरकस्य शिरो हरि: । अपाहरद् गजस्थस्य चक्रेण क्षुरनेमिना ॥ २१ ॥
śūlaṁ bhaumo ’cyutaṁ hantum ādade vitathodyamaḥ tad-visargāt pūrvam eva narakasya śiro hariḥ apāharad gaja-sthasya cakreṇa kṣura-neminā
Bhauma (Naraka) raised his trident to slay Acyuta, but before he could cast it, Lord Hari severed the demon’s head as he sat upon his elephant, with His razor-edged cakra.
According to Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī, as Bhauma raised his invincible trident, Satyabhāmā, sitting on Garuḍa with the Lord, said to Kṛṣṇa, “Kill him right away,” and Kṛṣṇa did just that.
FAQs
This verse says Narakāsura raised a trident to kill Kṛṣṇa, but before he could throw it, the Lord—mounted on Garuḍa—cut off Naraka’s head with the razor-edged Sudarśana disc, showing the swift triumph of dharma over adharma.
The verse calls him vitathodyamaḥ (“one whose effort is vain”) because his intent to harm Acyuta cannot succeed; the Lord’s supremacy and protection render the demon’s weapon ineffective even before it is released.
It teaches that arrogance and violence lead to defeat, while taking shelter of the Lord (Acyuta) gives inner security; act righteously and trust that destructive impulses and unjust forces ultimately fail.