शतहस्तपरिमिता जिह्वा लोला भयानका
His tongue, measuring a hundred hands, was restless and terrifying.
दृष्ट्वा तालवनं बाला हर्षमापुरनिन्दिताः
Seeing the tāla grove, the boys, blameless, became joyful.
बाला ऊचुः महाबल बलभ्रातः समस्तबलिनां वर
The boys said: O mighty one, brother of strength, foremost among all the strong,
अवधानं कुरु विभो क्षणार्द्धं नो निवेदने
O Lord, pay attention for half a moment to our request.
स्वादूनि सुन्दराण्येव पश्य तालफलानि च
See these sweet and beautiful tāla fruits in the forest.
नानावर्णानि पुष्पाणि पक्वानि दुर्लभानि च
There are flowers of various colors, and ripe fruits that are rare.
किं त्वत्र दैत्यो बलवान्खररूपी च धेनुकः 4.22.
But here, the powerful demon Dhenuka, in the form of a donkey, is present.
दुर्निवार्यश्च सर्वेषां कंसस्य सचिवो महान्
He is difficult for all to restrain, and is the great minister of Kaṃsa.
सुविचार्य जगत्कान्त वद नो वदतां वर
O beloved of the world, consider well and tell us, O best of speakers.
बालकानां वचः श्रुत्वा भगवान्मधुसूदनः
Hearing the words of the boys, the blessed Madhusūdana,
श्रीकृष्ण उवाच वृक्षान्भङ्क्त्वा चालयित्वा फलानि खादताभयम्
Śrī Krishna said: 'There is no fear in breaking and shaking the trees and eating their fruits.'
श्रीकृष्णाज्ञां समादाय बालका बलशालिनः
The boys, strong in might, accepted Śrī Krishna's command.
नानाप्रकारवर्णानि स्वादूनि सुन्दराणि च
They found fruits of many kinds and colors, sweet and beautiful.
केचिद्बभञ्जुर्वृक्षाश्च चालयामासुरेव च
Some broke the trees, and some shook them as well.
अवरुह्य तरुभ्यश्च बालका बलशालिनः
The strong boys also climbed down from the trees.
महाबलं महाकायं घोरं गर्दभरूपिणम्
A being of great strength and huge form, terrifying and in the shape of a donkey,
तं दृष्ट्वा रुरुदुः सर्वे फलानि तत्यजुर्भिया 4.22.
Seeing him, all the boys cried out and dropped the fruits in fear.
अस्मान्रक्ष समागच्छ हे कृष्ण करुणानिधे
'Come and protect us, O Krishna, ocean of compassion!'
हे कृष्ण हे कृष्ण हरे मुरारे गोविन्द दामोदर दीनबन्धो
'O Krishna, O Krishna, O Hari, slayer of Mura, Govinda, Dāmodara, friend of the distressed!'
भयेऽभये वाथ शुभेऽशुभे वा सुखेषु दुःखेषु च दीननाथ
'Whether in fear or fearlessness, in good or bad, in happiness or sorrow, O Lord of the afflicted!'
जयजय गुणसिन्धो कृष्ण भक्तैकबन्धो बहुतरभययुक्तान्बालकान्रक्ष रक्ष
'Victory, victory, O ocean of virtues, Krishna, sole friend of devotees! Protect, protect the boys who are surrounded by great fear.'
बालानां विक्लवं दृष्ट्वा बलेन सह माधवः
Seeing the boys distressed, Mādhava, along with Balarāma,
भयं नास्ति भयं नास्तीत्युक्त्वा दुद्राव सत्वरम्
said, 'There is no fear, there is no fear,' and quickly ran forward.
दृष्ट्वा कृष्णं बलं बाला ननृतुर्विजहुर्भयम्
Seeing Krishna and Balarāma, the boys danced and gave up their fear.
श्रीकृष्णो दानवं दृष्ट्वा ग्रसन्तं पुरतः शिशून्
Śrī Krishna saw the demon before him devouring the children.
श्रीकृष्ण उवाच गर्दभो ब्रह्मशापेन शप्तो दुर्वाससा पुरा
Śrī Krishna said: 'This donkey was formerly cursed by Brahma through Durvāsas.'
पापिष्ठो मम वध्योऽयं महाबलपराकमः 4.22.
'This most sinful one, of great strength and valor, is destined to be slain by me.'
आदाय बालकान्सर्वान्दूरं गच्छेत्युवाच ह
He said, 'Take all the boys and go far away.'
दृष्ट्वा कृष्णं दानवेन्द्रो महाबलपराक्रमः
Seeing Krishna, the lord of the demons, endowed with immense strength and valor,
बभूवातिदाहयुक्तो मर्तुकामोऽतितेजसा
became intensely inflamed, desiring death, with extraordinary brilliance.