Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 20
Balarāma Slays the Ape Dvivida
Dvivida-vadha
मूषलाहतमस्तिष्को विरेजे रक्तधारया । गिरिर्यथा गैरिकया प्रहारं नानुचिन्तयन् ॥ १९ ॥ पुनरन्यं समुत्क्षिप्य कृत्वा निष्पत्रमोजसा । तेनाहनत् सुसङ्क्रुद्धस्तं बल: शतधाच्छिनत् ॥ २० ॥ ततोऽन्येन रुषा जघ्ने तं चापि शतधाच्छिनत् ॥ २१ ॥
mūṣalāhata-mastiṣko vireje rakta-dhārayā girir yathā gairikayā prahāraṁ nānucintayan
Struck on the skull by the Lord’s club, Dvivida shone with streaming blood, like a mountain adorned with red ochre. Disregarding the blow, he uprooted another tree, tore off its leaves by brute force, and struck the Lord again. Enraged, Lord Balarāma shattered it into hundreds of pieces. Dvivida seized yet another tree and attacked in fury, and that too the Lord smashed into hundreds of fragments.
FAQs
This verse depicts a warrior continuing without hesitation even after a severe blow, emphasizing steadfastness and fearlessness amid danger.
Śukadeva Gosvāmī narrates these events to Mahārāja Parīkṣit.
Remain steady under adversity—don’t let pain or setbacks immediately force retreat from one’s duty and chosen righteous course.