Shloka 11
Balarāma Slays the Ape Dvivida
Dvivida-vadha
दुष्ट: शाखामृग: शाखामारूढ: कम्पयन् द्रुमान् । चक्रे किलकिलाशब्दमात्मानं सम्प्रदर्शयन् ॥ ११ ॥
duṣṭaḥ śākhā-mṛgaḥ śākhām ārūḍhaḥ kampayan drumān cakre kilakilā-śabdam ātmānaṁ sampradarśayan
दुष्ट: शाखामृग: शाखामारूढ: कम्पयन् द्रुमान् । चक्रे किलकिलाशब्दमात्मानं सम्प्रदर्शयन् ॥ ११ ॥
The word śākhā-mṛga indicates that the ape Dvivida, like ordinary apes, was naturally inclined to climb trees. Śrīla Prabhupāda writes: “This gorilla by the name Dvivida could climb up into the trees and jump from one branch to another. Sometimes he would jerk the branches, creating a particular type of sound — kilakilā — so that Lord Balarāma was greatly distracted from the pleasing atmosphere.”
FAQs
This verse depicts a ‘duṣṭa’ monkey loudly chattering and shaking trees while showing himself off—an image of disruptive pride and mischief that contrasts with the humility praised throughout the Bhāgavatam.
Śukadeva Gosvāmī is narrating these events to Mahārāja Parīkṣit.
Avoid creating disturbance just to be noticed; choose restraint and humility, and don’t let ego-driven display disrupt others’ peace.