Dhenukasura and the Palm Forest

Balarama ended the donkey demon Dhenuka, who guarded the sweet fruits of the Talavana palm forest, so that everyone could freely enjoy the palm fruits.

When Krishna and Balarama grew a little older, they were allowed to herd the cows instead of only the calves. With their friends they roamed the forests of Vrindavan, singing with the birds, dancing with the peacocks, and lovingly pressing the feet of the elder brother when he was tired.

One day their friends Shridama, Subala, Stokakrishna and others said, "O Rama, O Krishna, nearby there is a forest called Talavana, where the palm trees are heavy with sweet, ripe fruit. We can smell their fragrance from here. But a terrible demon named Dhenuka lives there in the form of a donkey, along with his companions. He lets no person or animal enter. If you wish, we could eat those fruits."

To fulfil their friends' wish, the two brothers led everyone to Talavana. Balarama shook the palm trees with his mighty arms, and the ripe fruits came thudding down. Hearing the noise, Dhenukasura came charging in fury, making the earth tremble, and kicked Balarama in the chest with his hind legs. Balarama caught both his hind legs, whirled him through the air and hurled him against a tall palm tree. The demon died at once, and the falling tree brought down many others with it.

Seeing this, Dhenuka's companions, the other donkeys, rushed to attack. Krishna and Balarama caught them too, as if in play, and threw them onto the palm trees. The gods showered flowers and sounded their drums. From that day Talavana was open to all. The friends happily ate the sweet fruits, and the people and animals of Vraja could go there without fear.

This leela teaches that the Lord's grace removes whatever obstacle stands between us and the sweet fruits of life. The stubborn donkey of selfishness and dullness moves away only when the strength of the Lord and his devotee is on our side.

Source

Shrimad Bhagavatam, Canto 10, ch. 15

Place

Talavana, Vraja

Lesson

The Lord's grace removes every obstacle on the path to the sweet fruits of life.