Balarāma Slays the Ape Dvivida
Dvivida-vadha
द्विविदोऽपि महावीर्य: शालमुद्यम्य पाणिना । अभ्येत्य तरसा तेन बलं मूर्धन्यताडयत् ॥ १७ ॥
dvivido ’pi mahā-vīryaḥ śālam udyamya pāṇinā abhyetya tarasā tena balaṁ mūrdhany atāḍayat
Dvivida yang sangat perkasa turut mara untuk bertempur. Dengan sebelah tangan dia mencabut pokok śāla, lalu menerjah pantas ke arah Balarāma dan memukul kepala Baginda dengan batang itu.
This verse describes Dvivida rushing forward, lifting a śāla tree, and striking Lord Balarāma on the head, showing the demon’s aggression and the beginning of the decisive confrontation.
In the narrative of this chapter, Dvivida acts as a violent disturber of dharma and an enemy of the Yadus; his attack on Balarāma is part of his attempt to terrorize and oppose the Lord’s associates.
Material strength and aggression can appear formidable, but devotion teaches steadiness: dharma ultimately prevails when one takes shelter of the Lord and remains fearless amid intimidation.