Verse Text
sūkṣma-dhīḥ, yathā –
yadubhir ayam avadhyo mleccha-rājas tad enaṁ
tarala-tamasi tasmin vidravann eva neṣye |
sukhamaya-nija-nidrā-bhaṣjana-dhvaṁsi-dṛṣṭir
jhara-muci mucukundaḥ kandare yatra śete ||81||
Translation
An example of having fine intelligence: This Kālayavana cannot be killed by the Yadus. By running away from him into the dimly lit cave, I will bring him there. In that cave decorated with waterfalls, Mucukunda is sleeping. When Mucukunda opens his eyes, being rudely awakened from comfortable sleep by Kālayavana, he will destroy this enemy with his glance.
Purport (Jiva Goswami)
The cave is described as tarala-tamasi, shining and dark. How is that possible? That cave was able to reveal and hide the truth about objects (it hid the truth from Kālayavana and revealed the truth to Mucukunda). Or the meaning can be that the darkness of the cave became fickle or unsteady (another meaning of tarala) when Kṛṣṇa entered (because of Kṛṣṇa’s effulgence or because of ecstasy). According to Viśva-prakāśa, tarala means unsteady, a sword, and the central jewel of a necklace. The mention of the waterfall indicates one of the many factors in creating a sound sleep. By the power of His yoga, this fine intelligence would manifest in Kṛṣṇa at the appropriate time. The verse illustrates that, just as the eyes have the ability to see fine detail, Kṛṣṇa’s intelligence is capable of discerning things very minutely. Intelligence which immediately enters into the heart of a situation with correct judgment is called fine intelligence.
Purport (Nectar of Devotion)
Kṛṣṇa’s fine discretion was exhibited when He was fighting with the untouchable king who attacked the city of Mathurā. According to Vedic rites, those who are untouchable are not to be touched by the kṣatriya kings, not even for killing. Therefore, when the untouchable king seized the city of Mathurā, Kṛṣṇa did not think it wise to kill him directly with His own hand. Still the king had to be killed, and therefore Kṛṣṇa decided with fine discretion that He should flee from the battlefield so that the untouchable king would chase Him. He could then lead the king to the mountain where Mucukunda was lying asleep. Mucukunda had received a benediction from Kārttikeya to the effect that when he awoke from his sleep, whomever he might see would at once be burnt to ashes. Therefore Kṛṣṇa thought it wise to lead the untouchable king to that cave, so that the king’s presence would awaken Mucukunda and he would at once be burnt to ashes.