Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 27
Jarāsandha’s Siege of Mathurā, Kṛṣṇa-Balarāma’s Victory, and the Founding of Dvārakā amid Kālayavana’s Threat
सञ्छिद्यमानद्विपदेभवाजिना- मङ्गप्रसूता: शतशोऽसृगापगा: । भुजाहय: पूरुषशीर्षकच्छपा हतद्विपद्वीपहयग्रहाकुला: ॥ २५ ॥ करोरुमीना नरकेशशैवला धनुस्तरङ्गायुधगुल्मसङ्कुला: । अच्छूरिकावर्तभयानका महा- मणिप्रवेकाभरणाश्मशर्करा: ॥ २६ ॥ प्रवर्तिता भीरुभयावहा मृधे मनस्विनां हर्षकरी: परस्परम् । विनिघ्नतारीन् मुषलेन दुर्मदान् सङ्कर्षणेनापरिमेयतेजसा ॥ २७ ॥ बलं तदङ्गार्णवदुर्गभैरवं दुरन्तपारं मगधेन्द्रपालितम् । क्षयं प्रणीतं वसुदेवपुत्रयो- र्विक्रीडितं तज्जगदीशयो: परम् ॥ २८ ॥
sañchidyamāna-dvipadebha-vājinām aṅga-prasūtāḥ śataśo ’sṛg-āpagāḥ bhujāhayaḥ pūruṣa-śīrṣa-kacchapā hata-dvipa-dvīpa-haya grahākulāḥ
Arus sungai darah ini di medan perang menakutkan bagi para pengecut, namun bagi para ksatria berhati teguh justru menimbulkan kegembiraan satu sama lain. Di sana Śrī Saṅkarṣaṇa, yang bercahaya tak terukur, menghantam dengan gada (muṣala) dan menewaskan musuh-musuh pongah yang berusaha menyeberanginya.
Chariot wheels looked like terrifying whirlpools, and precious gems and ornaments resembled stones and gravel in the rushing red rivers, which aroused fear in the timid, joy in the wise. With the blows of His plow weapon the immeasurably powerful Lord Balarāma destroyed Magadhendra’s military force. And though this force was as unfathomable and fearsome as an impassable ocean, for the two sons of Vasudeva, the Lords of the universe, the battle was hardly more than play.
FAQs
This verse contrasts two responses to the same event: battle terrifies the fearful but inspires joy in the brave, highlighting inner disposition as the source of fear or steadiness.
Śukadeva emphasizes Balarāma’s divine identity and unstoppable strength as He crushes the proud aggressors with His club during Jarāsandha’s assault on Mathurā.
Challenges can either frighten or strengthen us; cultivating steadiness, humility, and dharmic resolve turns adversity into a force that elevates character.