Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 20
Trivakrā’s Transformation and the Breaking of Kaṁsa’s Bow
Mathurā-līlā Prelude
अथ तान्दुरभिप्रायान् विलोक्य बलकेशवौ । क्रुद्धौ धन्वन आदाय शकले तांश्च जघ्नतु: ॥ २० ॥
atha tān durabhiprāyān vilokya bala-keśavau kruddhau dhanvana ādāya śakale tāṁś ca jaghnatuḥ
Seeing the guards rush in with evil intent, Balarāma and Keśava became enraged. Taking up the two broken halves of the bow, They began striking them down.
FAQs
This verse shows that when Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma perceive malicious intent (durabhiprāya), They act decisively to protect dharma, even using whatever is at hand—here, fragments of the bow.
They saw the men’s hostile, wicked intent and responded in righteous anger, as part of the unfolding confrontation with Kaṁsa’s regime surrounding the bow-sacrifice setting.
Discern harmful intent clearly, and respond firmly yet responsibly to protect what is right—without passivity—while keeping one’s actions aligned with dharma.