The Vraja Elders Question Kṛṣṇa’s Identity; Nanda Recounts Garga’s Prophecy
वने सञ्चारयन् वत्सान् सरामो बालकैर्वृत: । हन्तुकामं बकं दोर्भ्यां मुखतोऽरिमपाटयत् ॥ ८ ॥
vane sañcārayan vatsān sa-rāmo bālakair vṛtaḥ hantu-kāmaṁ bakaṁ dorbhyāṁ mukhato ’rim apāṭayat
En otra ocasión, mientras Kṛṣṇa pastoreaba los terneros en el bosque junto con Balarāma y los muchachos gopas, el demonio Bakāsura vino con intención de matarlo. Pero Kṛṣṇa lo sujetó por la boca y lo desgarró con Sus brazos.
This verse states that when Bakāsura came with the intention to kill, Kṛṣṇa—while simply herding calves with Balarāma and the boys—tore the demon apart, showing the Lord’s effortless protection of His companions and devotees.
Bakāsura approached as an enemy intent on murdering Kṛṣṇa and harming the Vraja children; Kṛṣṇa destroyed him to protect the cowherd community and to remove a demonic threat from Vraja.
For a devotee, the lesson is faith: even when danger arises unexpectedly, remembrance of Kṛṣṇa and sincere devotion cultivate courage and the conviction that divine protection ultimately prevails over hostile forces.