katham - how; rāmam - Lord Balarāma; asambhrāntam - never confused; jitvā - defeating; ajeyam - undefeatable; sura - by demigods; asuraiḥ - and demons; śālvena - by Śālva; alpīyasā - very small; nītaḥ - taken; pitā - father; me - My; bala-vān - powerful; vidhiḥ - fate.

[Lord Kṛṣṇa said:] Balarāma is ever vigilant, and no demigod or demon can defeat Him. So how could this insignificant Śālva defeat Him and abduct My father? Indeed, fate is all-powerful!