Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 17
Trivakrā’s Transformation and the Breaking of Kaṁsa’s Bow
Mathurā-līlā Prelude
करेण वामेन सलीलमुद्धृतंसज्यं च कृत्वा निमिषेण पश्यताम् । नृणां विकृष्य प्रबभञ्ज मध्यतोयथेक्षुदण्डं मदकर्युरुक्रम: ॥ १७ ॥
kareṇa vāmena sa-līlam uddhṛtaṁ sajyaṁ ca kṛtvā nimiṣeṇa paśyatām nṛṇāṁ vikṛṣya prababhañja madhyato yathekṣu-daṇḍaṁ mada-kary urukramaḥ
Easily lifting the bow with His left hand, Lord Urukrama strung it in a fraction of a second as the King’s guards looked on. He then powerfully pulled the string and snapped the bow in half, just as an excited elephant might break a stalk of sugar cane.
FAQs
This verse describes how Śrī Kṛṣṇa effortlessly lifted the royal bow, strung it instantly, and snapped it in the middle, revealing His divine supremacy during His Mathurā līlā.
In the narrative, Kṛṣṇa’s breaking of the bow publicly challenged Kaṁsa’s authority, displayed the Lord’s irresistible power, and set in motion the events leading to Kaṁsa’s downfall.
The verse teaches steadiness and faith: what seems impossible becomes possible when aligned with dharma and devotion—act decisively without fear, remembering the Lord’s supreme control.