Shloka 2
Balarāma Slays the Ape Dvivida
Dvivida-vadha
श्रीशुक उवाच नरकस्य सखा कश्चिद् द्विविदो नाम वानर: । सुग्रीवसचिव: सोऽथ भ्राता मैन्दस्य वीर्यवान् ॥ २ ॥
śrī-śuka uvāca narakasya sakhā kaścid dvivido nāma vānaraḥ sugrīva-sacivaḥ so ’tha bhrātā maindasya vīryavān
شری شُکدیَو گوسوامی نے کہا—نرکاسُر کا ایک دوست تھا، دْوِوِد نام کا بندر۔ وہ بڑا زورآور تھا، مَیند کا بھائی اور سُگریو کا مددگار و مشیر تھا۔
Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī points out some interesting facts about the ape Dvivida. Although Dvivida was an associate of Lord Rāmacandra’s, he later became corrupted by bad association with the demon Naraka, as stated here: narakasya sakhā. This bad association was the reaction for an offense Dvivida had committed when, being proud of his strength, he disrespected Lord Rāmacandra’s brother Lakṣmaṇa and others. Those who worship Lord Rāmacandra sometimes chant hymns addressed to Mainda and Dvivida, who are attendant deities of the Lord. According to Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī, the Mainda and Dvivida mentioned in this verse are empowered expansions of these deities, who are residents of Lord Rāmacandra’s Vaikuṇṭha domain.
FAQs
Dvivida is a powerful monkey mentioned in Canto 10, Chapter 67, described as a friend of Narakāsura, formerly a minister of Sugrīva, and the valiant brother of Mainda.
Śukadeva identifies Dvivida by well-known associations—his past role with Sugrīva and his relation to Mainda—so the listener can understand his stature and background before the events that follow in Krishna’s pastimes.
Even a capable person with respectable connections can fall into harmful paths through bad association; choosing uplifting friendships supports dharma and spiritual progress.