Shloka 24
देवकी-विवाहः, आकाशवाणी, भूरभारावतरण-याचना, क्षीराब्धि-स्तुति, केशावतार-नियोजनम्
अरिष्टो धेनुकः केशी प्रलम्बो नरकस् तथा सुन्दो ऽसुरस् तथात्युग्रो बाणश् चापि बलेः सुतः
ariṣṭo dhenukaḥ keśī pralambo narakas tathā sundo 'suras tathātyugro bāṇaś cāpi baleḥ sutaḥ
Ariṣṭa, Dhenuka, Keśin, Pralamba, and Naraka as well; likewise the asura Sunda, the exceedingly fierce one; and also Bāṇa, the son of Bali.
Sage Parāśara (continuing his narration to Maitreya)
Speaker: Parasara
Topic: Enumeration of principal adversaries to be subdued in Krishna’s mission
Teaching: Historical
Quality: authoritative
Avatara: Krishna
Purpose: He descends to systematically eliminate the asuric forces disrupting the earth, thereby restoring dharma and safety for beings.
Leela: Yuddha
Dharma Restored: Removal of oppressive, violent forces and re-establishment of righteous order
Concept: Dharma’s restoration often requires the removal of entrenched forces of harm, undertaken by the Lord for loka-saṅgraha (world-order).
Vedantic Theme: Dharma
Application: Name and confront concrete sources of disorder in one’s life and society—violence, exploitation, deception—through disciplined, dharmic action and devotion.
Vishishtadvaita: The Lord’s saving activity extends to the world as His body (śarīra), where removing adharma is an act of compassionate governance over His dependent creation.
Vamsha: Chandra
Key Kings: Bali, Bāṇa
Vishnu Form: Krishna
Lakshmi Presence: Bhumi
FAQs
The list functions as a narrative and theological map of dharma’s restoration: it names concrete embodiments of adharma that the Lord, as Kṛṣṇa, will subdue to re-stabilize the world-order.
By enumerating specific opponents, Parāśara frames Kṛṣṇa’s life as purposeful divine intervention—events are not random heroics but a guided rebalancing of cosmic and social harmony.
Vishnu’s supremacy is implied through Kṛṣṇa’s assured conquest of powerful asuras: the Supreme Reality enters the historical realm, yet remains sovereign, turning līlā into the instrument of dharma.