Ambikā-vana Śiva-pūjā; Nanda Saved from the Serpent; Śaṅkhacūḍa Slain
स वीक्ष्य तावनुप्राप्तौ कालमृत्यू इवोद्विजन् । विषृज्य स्त्रीजनं मूढ: प्राद्रवज्जीवितेच्छया ॥ २९ ॥
sa vīkṣya tāv anuprāptau kāla-mṛtyū ivodvijan viṣṛjya strī-janaṁ mūḍhaḥ prādravaj jīvitecchayā
Ao ver os dois aproximando-se como o Tempo e a Morte personificados, Śaṅkhacūḍa ficou tomado de ansiedade. Confuso, abandonou as mulheres e fugiu, desejando salvar a própria vida.
This verse shows that when a person is deluded (mūḍha) and attached to bodily life, the approach of danger feels like Time and Death themselves, provoking panic and flight rather than steady, dharmic action.
Śukadeva Gosvāmī speaks this verse while narrating the events of Kṛṣṇa’s Vraja pastimes to Mahārāja Parīkṣit.
It cautions that fear-driven self-preservation can make us abandon responsibilities and relationships; cultivating spiritual clarity and devotion reduces panic and helps one act wisely under pressure.