Shloka 36
Paugaṇḍa Cowherding, Tālavana, the Slaying of Dhenukāsura, and Revival from Poisoned Yamunā Water
तत: कृष्णं च रामं च ज्ञातयो धेनुकस्य ये । क्रोष्टारोऽभ्यद्रवन् सर्वे संरब्धा हतबान्धवा: ॥ ३६ ॥
tataḥ kṛṣṇaṁ ca rāmaṁ ca jñātayo dhenukasya ye kroṣṭāro ’bhyadravan sarve saṁrabdhā hata-bāndhavāḥ
അപ്പോൾ ധേനുകാസുരന്റെ ബന്ധുക്കളായ മറ്റു കഴുത-ദൈത്യർ, ബന്ധുവിന്റെ മരണത്തിൽ ക്രുദ്ധരായി, എല്ലാവരും ചേർന്ന് കൃഷ്ണനെയും രാമനെയും ആക്രമിക്കാൻ പാഞ്ഞുവന്നു।
Śrīla Sanātana Gosvāmī makes the following comment on this verse: “It is stated here that the ass demons first attacked Kṛṣṇa and then Balarāma ( kṛṣṇaṁ ca rāmaṁ ca ). One reason for this is that the demons, having seen the prowess of Lord Balarāma, thought it wise to attack Kṛṣṇa first. Or it may be that out of affection for His elder brother, Lord Kṛṣṇa placed Himself between Balarāma and the ass demons. The words kṛṣṇaṁ ca rāmaṁ ca may also be understood to indicate that Lord Balarāma, out of affection for His younger brother, went to Lord Kṛṣṇa’s side.
FAQs
It says Dhenuka’s relatives, compared to howling jackals, became furious and collectively attacked Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma to avenge their slain kinsman.
Because they were enraged after seeing their relative Dhenukāsura killed, they charged the Lords in retaliation.
When wrongdoing is checked, backlash can arise from those attached to it; the verse reminds devotees to remain steady and trust divine protection while doing what is right.