Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 23
The Lord’s Advent: Yoga-māyā’s Mission, Saṅkarṣaṇa’s Transfer, and the Demigods’ Prayers
इति घोरतमाद् भावात् सन्निवृत्त: स्वयं प्रभु: । आस्ते प्रतीक्षंस्तज्जन्म हरेर्वैरानुबन्धकृत् ॥ २३ ॥
iti ghoratamād bhāvāt sannivṛttaḥ svayaṁ prabhuḥ āste pratīkṣaṁs taj-janma harer vairānubandha-kṛt
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Deliberating in this way, Kaṁsa, although determined to continue in enmity toward the Supreme Personality of Godhead, refrained from the vicious killing of his sister. He decided to wait until the Lord was born and then do what was needed.
FAQs
This verse shows that even hostility can bind one’s mind to Hari; Kaṁsa, though inimical, remained intensely absorbed in the Lord by constantly awaiting His birth.
After recognizing the inevitability of the divine plan, Kaṁsa temporarily restrained his extreme cruelty and instead anxiously awaited the foretold birth—while still maintaining his inimical fixation on Hari.
Obsessive focus—whether positive or negative—shapes consciousness; the Bhagavatam urges transforming fixation into favorable remembrance and devotion rather than fear, anger, or hatred.