Shloka 4
Pūtanā-mokṣa — The Witch Pūtanā’s Attempt and Kṛṣṇa’s Deliverance
सा खेचर्येकदोत्पत्य पूतना नन्दगोकुलम् । योषित्वा माययात्मानं प्राविशत् कामचारिणी ॥ ४ ॥
sā khe-cary ekadotpatya pūtanā nanda-gokulam yoṣitvā māyayātmānaṁ prāviśat kāma-cāriṇī
กาลครั้งหนึ่ง นางยักษิณีพูตนา ผู้สามารถเหาะเหินเดินอากาศได้ตามใจปรารถนา ได้แปลงกายด้วยอำนาจวิเศษเป็นหญิงงามเลิศเลอ และเข้าไปในโกกุละของนันดะมหาราช
Rākṣasīs learn mystic powers by which they can travel in outer space without machines. In some parts of India there are still such mystical witches, who can sit on a stick and use it to fly from one place to another in a very short time. This art was known to Pūtanā. Assuming the feature of a very beautiful woman, she entered Nanda Mahārāja’s abode, Gokula.
FAQs
Pūtanā came with a murderous intention toward infant Kṛṣṇa, using illusion to enter Gokula unnoticed by appearing as a beautiful woman.
Śukadeva Gosvāmī is narrating to King Parīkṣit, describing how Pūtanā entered Nanda Mahārāja’s cowherd settlement.
This verse warns that harmful influences can arrive in attractive forms; devotees should cultivate discernment, seek sādhus and śāstra-guidance, and take shelter of Kṛṣṇa for protection.