Balarāma Slays the Ape Dvivida
Dvivida-vadha
मूषलाहतमस्तिष्को विरेजे रक्तधारया । गिरिर्यथा गैरिकया प्रहारं नानुचिन्तयन् ॥ १९ ॥ पुनरन्यं समुत्क्षिप्य कृत्वा निष्पत्रमोजसा । तेनाहनत् सुसङ्क्रुद्धस्तं बल: शतधाच्छिनत् ॥ २० ॥ ततोऽन्येन रुषा जघ्ने तं चापि शतधाच्छिनत् ॥ २१ ॥
mūṣalāhata-mastiṣko vireje rakta-dhārayā girir yathā gairikayā prahāraṁ nānucintayan
Dipukul di tengkorak oleh gada Tuhan, Dvivida tampak berkilau oleh aliran darah, laksana gunung dihias oker merah. Tanpa menghiraukan luka itu, ia mencabut pohon lain, merontokkan daunnya dengan tenaga kasar, lalu menghantam Tuhan lagi. Murka, Balarāma memecahkannya menjadi ratusan bagian. Dvivida mengambil pohon lain dan memukul dengan geram; pohon itu pun dihancurkan Tuhan menjadi ratusan keping.
This verse depicts unwavering steadiness: even after being struck on the head and bleeding, the warrior does not dwell on the injury, showing fearlessness and resolve.
Śukadeva Gosvāmī narrates these events to Mahārāja Parīkṣit as part of the account of the Yadu-era conflicts and divine associates’ exploits.
It teaches not to obsess over setbacks; one can remain focused on duty and remembrance of the Lord, meeting difficulties with steadiness rather than rumination.