Balarāma Slays the Ape Dvivida
Dvivida-vadha
स बाहू तालसङ्काशौ मुष्टीकृत्य कपीश्वर: । आसाद्य रोहिणीपुत्रं ताभ्यां वक्षस्यरूरुजत् ॥ २४ ॥
sa bāhū tāla-saṅkāśau muṣṭī-kṛtya kapīśvaraḥ āsādya rohiṇī-putraṁ tābhyāṁ vakṣasy arūrujat
Dvivida, chúa tể loài khỉ, nắm chặt hai nắm đấm nơi đôi cánh tay to như cây thốt nốt, tiến đến trước Đức Balarāma—con của Rohiṇī—và dùng nắm đấm đánh vào thân thể Ngài.
Dvivida is a powerful ape-like miscreant described as a destroyer of dharma; in this verse he rushes at Balarāma and strikes Him on the chest with clenched fists.
Within the chapter’s narrative, Dvivida acts as a violent disturber of society and challenges the Lord; his aggression culminates in directly attacking Balarāma, leading to his punishment.
Even when confronted by forceful hostility, the Lord’s devotee remembers that adharma ultimately fails; steadfastness and alignment with dharma prevail over intimidation.