Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 27
Trivakrā’s Transformation and the Breaking of Kaṁsa’s Bow
Mathurā-līlā Prelude
कंसस्तु धनुषो भङ्गं रक्षिणां स्वबलस्य च । वधं निशम्य गोविन्दरामविक्रीडितं परम् ॥ २६ ॥ दीर्घप्रजागरो भीतो दुर्निमित्तानि दुर्मति: । बहून्यचष्टोभयथा मृत्योर्दौत्यकराणि च ॥ २७ ॥
kaṁsas tu dhanuṣo bhaṅgaṁ rakṣiṇāṁ sva-balasya ca vadhaṁ niśamya govinda- rāma-vikrīḍitaṁ param
Hearing that Govinda—Śrī Kṛṣṇa—and Balarāma had broken the bow and slain his guards and soldiers as if in mere sport, the wicked Kaṁsa was seized with terror. He stayed awake for a long time, and in waking and in dreams he beheld many evil omens, like messengers of death.
FAQs
It describes the bow-breaking as a supreme divine pastime of Govinda and Balarāma, accompanied by the defeat of Kaṁsa’s guards and soldiers.
Because the news confirmed that Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma were overwhelming his defenses and that his own forces could not stop them.
It reminds a devotee that the Lord’s power is effortless—cultivating humility, faith, and steadiness when facing intimidating obstacles.