Shloka 3
Balarāma Slays the Ape Dvivida
Dvivida-vadha
सख्यु: सोऽपचितिं कुर्वन् वानरो राष्ट्रविप्लवम् । पुरग्रामाकरान् घोषानदहद् वह्निमुत्सृजन् ॥ ३ ॥
sakhyuḥ so ’pacitiṁ kurvan vānaro rāṣṭra-viplavam pura-grāmākarān ghoṣān adahad vahnim utsṛjan
友の死を報いるため、その猿は国土を荒らし回った。火を放って、都や村、鉱山、そして牛飼いたちの集落を焼き尽くした。
Kṛṣṇa had killed Dvivida’s friend Naraka, and to retaliate the ape intended to destroy Lord Kṛṣṇa’s flourishing kingdom. In Kṛṣṇa Śrīla Prabhupāda writes: “His first business was to set fires in villages, towns and industrial and mining places, as well as in the residential quarters of the mercantile men who were busy dairy farming and protecting cows.”
FAQs
This verse recalls Hanumān’s act of releasing fire and burning major settlements to create upheaval in the enemy’s kingdom, presented as his way of repaying his friend’s kindness.
Śukadeva highlights a well-known Itihāsa episode to illustrate intense loyalty and determined action undertaken for the sake of one’s ally—an example of purposeful, mission-driven power rather than random violence.
True gratitude expresses itself through committed service—using one’s strength and skills decisively for a righteous cause and for those who have genuinely supported one’s dharmic mission.