Shloka 2
तालवन-उद्धारः: धेनुकासुरवधः, फल-समृद्धिः, गो-क्षेमः
तत् तु तालवनं नित्यं धेनुको नाम दानवः नृगोमांसकृताहारः सदाध्यास्ते खराकृतिः
tat tu tālavanaṃ nityaṃ dhenuko nāma dānavaḥ nṛgomāṃsakṛtāhāraḥ sadādhyāste kharākṛtiḥ
That palm-grove, Tālavana, was ever occupied by the demon Dhenuka—feeder on the flesh of men and cattle—who dwelt there continually in the form of a wild ass.
Sage Parāśara (narrating to Maitreya)
Vishnu Form: Krishna
Bhakti Type: Sakhya
FAQs
This verse frames Tālavana as a space seized by adharma—dominated by the demon Dhenuka—setting up its later purification and the restoration of rightful order.
Parāśara characterizes Dhenuka as a constant occupier of the grove, predatory by nature (feeding on humans and cattle) and concealed in a donkey-like form, emphasizing enduring, entrenched harm.
By depicting a realm held by violent adharma, the narrative prepares for Vishnu’s protecting sovereignty manifested through Krishna, who restores dharma by removing such destructive forces.