Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 18
Balarāma Slays the Ape Dvivida
Dvivida-vadha
तं तु सङ्कर्षणो मूर्ध्नि पतन्तमचलो यथा । प्रतिजग्राह बलवान् सुनन्देनाहनच्च तम् ॥ १८ ॥
taṁ tu saṅkarṣaṇo mūrdhni patantam acalo yathā pratijagrāha balavān sunandenāhanac ca tam
But Lord Saṅkarṣaṇa stood unmoving like a mountain. He caught the log as it fell upon His head and then struck Dvivida with His club named Sunanda.
FAQs
This verse portrays Saṅkarṣaṇa (Balarāma) as effortlessly overpowering Dvivida—catching his attack and then subduing him with His mace—showing divine, protective strength used to restore dharma.
In the narrative, Dvivida terrorized the people and disrupted righteous order; Balarāma intervenes as the Lord’s protector to end the demon’s violence and reestablish peace.
It teaches that real strength is used to protect others and stop harm—cultivating courage, self-control, and readiness to stand for dharma when injustice threatens the innocent.