Shloka 23
The Appearance of Lord Viṣṇu (Kṛṣṇa) and the Divine Exchange with Yoga-māyā
श्रीशुक उवाच अथैनमात्मजं वीक्ष्य महापुरुषलक्षणम् । देवकी तमुपाधावत् कंसाद् भीता सुविस्मिता ॥ २३ ॥
śrī-śuka uvāca athainam ātmajaṁ vīkṣya mahā-puruṣa-lakṣaṇam devakī tam upādhāvat kaṁsād bhītā suvismitā
Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: Thereafter, having seen that her child had all the symptoms of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Devakī, who was very much afraid of Kaṁsa and unusually astonished, began to offer prayers to the Lord.
The word suvismitā, meaning “astonished,” is significant in this verse. Devakī and her husband, Vasudeva, were assured that their child was the Supreme Personality of Godhead and could not be killed by Kaṁsa, but because of affection, as they thought of Kaṁsa’s previous atrocities, they were simultaneously afraid that Kṛṣṇa would be killed. This is why the word suvismitā has been used. Similarly, we are also astounded upon thinking of whether this movement will be killed by the asuras or will continue to advance without fear.
FAQs
This verse says Devakī saw her newborn son with the marks of the Supreme Person (mahā-puruṣa-lakṣaṇam) and, overwhelmed with wonder, rushed toward Him.
Because Kaṁsa had vowed to kill Devakī’s children; even at Krishna’s appearance, Devakī’s motherly joy was mixed with fear of Kaṁsa’s immediate threat.
Even amid danger and anxiety, turn toward the Divine with remembrance and devotion—letting awe and faith guide the heart rather than fear.