Shloka 13
Aghāsura-vadha: The Killing and Deliverance of Aghāsura
अथाघनामाभ्यपतन्महासुर- स्तेषां सुखक्रीडनवीक्षणाक्षम: । नित्यं यदन्तर्निजजीवितेप्सुभि: पीतामृतैरप्यमरै: प्रतीक्ष्यते ॥ १३ ॥
athāgha-nāmābhyapatan mahāsuras teṣāṁ sukha-krīḍana-vīkṣaṇākṣamaḥ nityaṁ yad-antar nija-jīvitepsubhiḥ pītāmṛtair apy amaraiḥ pratīkṣyate
പ്രിയപ്പെട്ട രാജാവേ, പിന്നീട് അഘാസുരൻ എന്ന വലിയ അസുരൻ അവിടെ എത്തി. കുട്ടികളുടെ സന്തോഷകരമായ കളി അവന് സഹിക്കാൻ കഴിഞ്ഞില്ല. ദേവന്മാർ പോലും അവന്റെ മരണം കാത്തിരിക്കുകയായിരുന്നു.
One may ask how Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes could be interrupted by a demon. Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura answers this question by saying that although the transcendental pleasure being enjoyed by the cowherd boys could not be stopped, unless they stopped the transcendental pleasure of their various activities they could not eat their lunch. Therefore at lunchtime Aghāsura appeared by the arrangement of Yoga-māyā, so that for the time being they could stop their activities and take lunch. Changing varieties is the mother of enjoyment. The cowherd boys would continuously play, then stop, and then again enjoy in a different way. Therefore every day a demon would come and interrupt their sporting pastimes. The demon would be killed, and then the boys would engage again in their transcendental pastimes.
FAQs
This verse shows that Aghāsura could not tolerate even the sight of Kṛṣṇa and the boys happily playing; demonic nature is characterized by envy toward divine joy and devotion.
Even though the devas drink nectar and seek to preserve their lives, they still yearn within their hearts to behold Kṛṣṇa’s intimate Vraja-līlā, indicating its supreme spiritual sweetness beyond heavenly pleasures.
Choose association and activities that increase remembrance of Kṛṣṇa’s līlā and protect your heart from envy; spiritual progress grows by appreciating devotees’ joy rather than resenting it.