Shloka 26
Ambikā-vana Śiva-pūjā; Nanda Saved from the Serpent; Śaṅkhacūḍa Slain
तयोर्निरीक्षतो राजंस्तन्नाथं प्रमदाजनम् । क्रोशन्तं कालयामास दिश्युदीच्यामशङ्कित: ॥ २६ ॥
tayor nirīkṣato rājaṁs tan-nāthaṁ pramadā-janam krośantaṁ kālayām āsa diśy udīcyām aśaṅkitaḥ
Wahai Raja, ketika kedua-dua Tuhan itu memandang, Śaṅkhacūḍa dengan berani menggiring para wanita—yang menganggap Kṛṣṇa dan Balarāma sebagai natha mereka—ke arah utara, sambil mereka menangis memanggil-Nya.
According to Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī, the demon Śaṅkhacūḍa shook a large stick at the beautiful young girls, thus frightening them and driving them toward the north. He did not actually touch them, as is corroborated by the following verse.
FAQs
This verse shows Kṛṣṇa moving “without fear” even as the gopīs cry out, highlighting His supreme control and protective nature in His Vraja līlā.
In the narrative context of Canto 10, Chapter 34, the gopīs become alarmed by the unfolding danger and separation anxiety, while Kṛṣṇa confidently proceeds, indicating He is about to resolve the threat.
When fear arises, remember the Lord’s steadiness and take shelter through prayer and disciplined bhakti—acting responsibly while trusting that the Supreme guides and protects.