Shloka 16
Pūtanā-mokṣa — The Witch Pūtanā’s Attempt and Kṛṣṇa’s Deliverance
ईषामात्रोग्रदंष्ट्रास्यं गिरिकन्दरनासिकम् । गण्डशैलस्तनं रौद्रं प्रकीर्णारुणमूर्धजम् ॥ १५ ॥ अन्धकूपगभीराक्षं पुलिनारोहभीषणम् । बद्धसेतुभुजोर्वङ्घ्रि शून्यतोयह्रदोदरम् ॥ १६ ॥ सन्तत्रसु: स्म तद्वीक्ष्य गोपा गोप्य: कलेवरम् । पूर्वं तु तन्नि:स्वनितभिन्नहृत्कर्णमस्तका: ॥ १७ ॥
īṣā-mātrogra-daṁṣṭrāsyaṁ giri-kandara-nāsikam gaṇḍa-śaila-stanaṁ raudraṁ prakīrṇāruṇa-mūrdhajam
La boca de la Rākṣasī estaba llena de dientes, cada uno semejante a la reja de un arado; sus fosas nasales eran profundas como cuevas de montaña, y sus pechos parecían grandes losas de piedra caídas de una colina. Su cabello esparcido era del color del cobre. Las cuencas de sus ojos parecían pozos ciegos y profundos, sus temibles muslos semejaban las orillas de un río, sus brazos y piernas parecían grandes puentes, y su abdomen parecía un lago seco.
FAQs
This verse describes Pūtanā’s dead body as monstrously huge—cave-like nostrils, rocky cheeks, boulder-like breasts, and wild reddish hair—showing the frightening reality of her demoniac nature.
The comparisons emphasize her enormous size after death and the sheer dread her presence caused in Vraja, highlighting how Kṛṣṇa protected the cowherd community from an overwhelming threat.
It teaches vigilance against hidden harm (poison disguised as care) and reinforces faith that sincere dependence on Kṛṣṇa brings protection even in seemingly impossible situations.