Shloka 21
Paugaṇḍa Cowherding, Tālavana, the Slaying of Dhenukāsura, and Revival from Poisoned Yamunā Water
राम राम महाबाहो कृष्ण दुष्टनिबर्हण । इतोऽविदूरे सुमहद् वनं तालालिसङ्कुलम् ॥ २१ ॥
rāma rāma mahā-bāho kṛṣṇa duṣṭa-nibarhaṇa ito ’vidūre su-mahad vanaṁ tālāli-saṅkulam
[ഗോപബാലന്മാർ പറഞ്ഞു:] ഹേ രാമാ, രാമാ, മഹാബാഹോ! ഹേ കൃഷ്ണാ, ദുഷ്ടനിബർഹണാ! ഇവിടെ നിന്ന് അധികം ദൂരമല്ല—താളമരങ്ങളുടെ നിരകളാൽ നിറഞ്ഞ മഹാവനം ഉണ്ട്.
As stated in the Śrī Varāha Purāṇa:
FAQs
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.
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.
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.