Shloka 21

Paugaṇḍa Cowherding, Tālavana, the Slaying of Dhenukāsura, and Revival from Poisoned Yamunā Water

Devanagari script

राम राम महाबाहो कृष्ण दुष्टनिबर्हण । इतोऽविदूरे सुमहद् वनं तालालिसङ्कुलम् ॥ २१ ॥

Transliteration

rāma rāma mahā-bāho kṛṣṇa duṣṭa-nibarhaṇa ito ’vidūre su-mahad vanaṁ tālāli-saṅkulam

Translation

[Les garçons vachers dirent :] Ô Rāma, Rāma, aux bras puissants ! Ô Kṛṣṇa, destructeur des méchants ! Non loin d’ici se trouve une très grande forêt, remplie de rangées de palmiers.

Synonyms

• rāma: O Rāma
• rāma: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन/Vocative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (8th/Vocative), एकवचन

• rāma: O Rāma (again)
• rāma: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन, एकवचन (पुनरुक्ति/उद्बोधन)

• mahā-bāho: O mighty-armed one
• mahā-bāho: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahā (प्रातिपदिक) + bāhu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहिः—महान्तौ बाहू यस्य

• kṛṣṇa: O Kṛṣṇa
• kṛṣṇa: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kṛṣṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन, एकवचन

• duṣṭa-nibarhaṇa: O destroyer of the wicked
• duṣṭa-nibarhaṇa: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: duṣṭa (प्रातिपदिक) + nibarhaṇa (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक; √bṛh/√barh with ni-)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः—दुष्टानां निबर्हणः (destroyer of the wicked)

• itaḥ: from here
• itaḥ: Apadana (अपादान/Source; adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: itaḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अपादान/देशवाचक (from here)

• avidūre: not far away
• avidūre: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Location; adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: avidūra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभावप्राय/सप्तमी-एकवचन-रूपेण अव्ययवत् (locative used adverbially): ‘not far (away)’

• su-mahat: very great
• su-mahat: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: su (उपसर्ग/अव्यय) + mahat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (intensified by ‘su’)

• vanam: a forest
• vanam: Karma (कर्म/Object; implied ‘there is/exists’)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• tāla-āli-saṅkulam: crowded with rows of palm trees
• tāla-āli-saṅkulam: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tāla (प्रातिपदिक) + āli (प्रातिपदिक) + saṅkula (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः—तालानाम् आलिभिः (पङ्क्तिभिः) सङ्कुलम्; विशेषणं ‘वनम्’

Purport

As stated in the Śrī Varāha Purāṇa:

Characters & Entities

• Balarama (Rama)
• Krishna

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Talavana (the palm forest)?

This verse introduces Talavana as a huge forest nearby, dense with palm trees and bees, setting the scene for Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma’s forthcoming pastime there.

Why did the cowherd boys speak to Krishna and Balarama about this forest?

In the Vraja narrative, the boys excitedly point out nearby places to explore; here they call upon Rāma and Kṛṣṇa and draw their attention to the remarkable Talavana, leading into the events of the chapter.

Practical application of Krishna being 'duṣṭa-nibarhaṇa' (destroyer of the wicked) in modern life?

The epithet reminds devotees to rely on divine protection and to confront harmful tendencies—within oneself and society—through dharma, devotion, and courage rather than fear.