Shloka 18
Trivakrā’s Transformation and the Breaking of Kaṁsa’s Bow
Mathurā-līlā Prelude
धनुषो भज्यमानस्य शब्द: खं रोदसी दिश: । पूरयामास यं श्रुत्वा कंसस्त्रासमुपागमत् ॥ १८ ॥
dhanuṣo bhajyamānasya śabdaḥ khaṁ rodasī diśaḥ pūrayām āsa yaṁ śrutvā kaṁsas trāsam upāgamat
Der Knall des brechenden Bogens erfüllte Himmel und Erde in alle Richtungen. Als Kaṁsa ihn hörte, wurde er von Angst gepackt.
FAQs
This verse states that when Krishna broke the great bow, the sound filled all directions, and Kaṁsa—hearing it—was overtaken by fear.
In the narrative, the bow was a royal, guarded weapon; Krishna shattering it effortlessly signaled irresistible divine strength and the nearing fulfillment of the prophecy of Kaṁsa’s downfall.
The same divine power that terrifies the ego and wrongdoing becomes shelter for the surrendered; the verse encourages turning fear into refuge by remembering and serving the Lord.