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
[Anak-anak gembala berkata:] Wahai Rāma, Rāma, yang berlengan perkasa! Wahai Kṛṣṇa, pembinasa orang durjana! Tidak jauh dari sini ada sebuah hutan yang amat besar, dipenuhi barisan pokok palma.
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.