Shloka 8
The Killing of Cāṇūra, Muṣṭika, and Kaṁsa; Liberation and Restoration of Dharma in Mathurā
क्व वज्रसारसर्वाङ्गौ मल्लौ शैलेन्द्रसन्निभौ । क्व चातिसुकुमाराङ्गौ किशोरौ नाप्तयौवनौ ॥ ८ ॥
kva vajra-sāra-sarvāṅgau mallau śailendra-sannibhau kva cāti-sukumārāṅgau kiśorau nāpta-yauvanau
ఆ ఇద్దరు మల్లులు—వజ్రంలా దృఢమైన అవయవాలు, పర్వతేంద్రుల్లా దేహాలు—ఇక ఈ ఇద్దరు కిశోరులు—అత్యంత సుకుమార అవయవాలు, ఇంకా సంపూర్ణ యౌవనానికి చేరని వారు—ఇవ్వాళ్లకు పోలిక ఎక్కడ?
FAQs
It voices the crowd’s astonishment: the wrestlers appear mountain-like and iron-hard, while Krishna and Balarama look like tender adolescents—highlighting the seeming mismatch before the Lord’s divine power is revealed.
Seeing Cāṇūra and Muṣṭika as massive professional fighters and Krishna-Balarama as youthful and delicate, the spectators expressed concern and disbelief—unaware that the Supreme Lord had come to end Kaṁsa’s tyranny.
Do not judge strength only by outward appearance; righteousness and divine support can overturn intimidating odds, encouraging courage, faith, and perseverance when facing seemingly “mountain-like” challenges.