Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 28
Trivakrā’s Transformation and the Breaking of Kaṁsa’s Bow
Mathurā-līlā Prelude
अदर्शनं स्वशिरस: प्रतिरूपे च सत्यपि । असत्यपि द्वितीये च द्वैरूप्यं ज्योतिषां तथा ॥ २८ ॥ छिद्रप्रतीतिश्छायायां प्राणघोषानुपश्रुति: । स्वर्णप्रतीतिर्वृक्षेषु स्वपदानामदर्शनम् ॥ २९ ॥ स्वप्ने प्रेतपरिष्वङ्ग: खरयानं विषादनम् । यायान्नलदमाल्येकस्तैलाभ्यक्तो दिगम्बर: ॥ ३० ॥ अन्यानि चेत्थं भूतानि स्वप्नजागरितानि च । पश्यन् मरणसन्त्रस्तो निद्रां लेभे न चिन्तया ॥ ३१ ॥
adarśanaṁ sva-śirasaḥ pratirūpe ca saty api asaty api dvitīye ca dvai-rūpyaṁ jyotiṣāṁ tathā
When he gazed at his reflection, he could not see his own head; and for no cause the moon and stars appeared double. He perceived a hole in his shadow, could not hear the sound of his vital breath, saw the trees as if washed in golden hue, and could not find his own footprints. In dreams he was embraced by ghosts, rode upon a donkey and drank poison, and he saw a naked man smeared with oil passing by, wearing a garland of nalada flowers. Beholding these and other omens in dream and in waking, Kaṁsa trembled at the approach of death and, from anxiety, could not sleep.
FAQs
This verse explains that perception can be unreliable—one may not perceive what is present or may perceive what is absent—illustrating how illusion can distort experience.
He uses everyday perceptual errors to show that appearances can mislead, preparing the listener to understand deeper truths beyond surface perception.
Pause before reacting to appearances; verify with discernment and śāstra-guided understanding, especially when emotions or fear amplify misperception.