Shloka 8
Vasudeva Meets Nanda; Pūtanā’s Fall; Viṣṇu-Rakṣā (Protective Hymn) in Gokula
यस्मै यस्मै स्तनं रात्रौ पूतना संप्रयच्छति तस्य तस्य क्षणेनाङ्गं बालकस्योपहन्यते
yasmai yasmai stanaṃ rātrau pūtanā saṃprayacchati tasya tasya kṣaṇenāṅgaṃ bālakasyopahanyate
Whichever infant Pūtanā, in the night, offers her breast to—of each and every such child, the body is struck down in an instant.
Sage Parāśara (narrating to Maitreya)
Avatara: Krishna
Purpose: By surviving and overturning Pūtanā’s lethal act, Kṛṣṇa demonstrates the avatāra’s invincibility and protection of the innocent.
Leela: Loka-rakshana
Dharma Restored: Sanctity of life—especially protection of children—and the defeat of predatory adharma.
Concept: Adharma often targets the most vulnerable; vigilance and protection of children is a paramount moral duty.
Vedantic Theme: Dharma
Application: Create safeguards for vulnerable people, recognize predatory harm early, and respond with collective responsibility.
Vishishtadvaita: The Lord’s protective will operates within history to uphold dharma, while devotees participate through vigilant care.
Vishnu Form: Krishna
FAQs
It symbolizes disguised adharma—nurture turned into harm—showing how demonic forces attempt to corrupt life itself, yet are ultimately powerless before Hari’s presence.
He describes her action as universally lethal—any child she feeds is struck down instantly—thereby heightening the narrative contrast with the divine child who cannot be overcome.
Even when not named in the verse, the surrounding Kṛṣṇa narrative presents Vishnu’s avatāra as the supreme protector whose sovereignty overturns death-dealing forces.