Shloka 39
The Killing of Cāṇūra, Muṣṭika, and Kaṁsa; Liberation and Restoration of Dharma in Mathurā
स नित्यदोद्विग्नधिया तमीश्वरंपिबन्नदन्वा विचरन् स्वपन् श्वसन् । ददर्श चक्रायुधमग्रतो यत-स्तदेव रूपं दुरवापमाप ॥ ३९ ॥
sa nityadodvigna-dhiyā tam īśvaraṁ pibann adan vā vicaran svapan śvasan dadarśa cakrāyudham agrato yatas tad eva rūpaṁ duravāpam āpa
Kaṁsa was perpetually disturbed by the thought that the Supreme Lord would kill him. Thus, whether drinking, eating, walking, sleeping, or even breathing, he always saw before him the Lord bearing the disc weapon, and in this way he attained the rare boon of a form like the Lord’s.
Although born out of fear, Kaṁsa’s constant meditation on the Supreme Lord eradicated all his offenses, and therefore the demon was liberated upon his death at the Lord’s hands.
FAQs
This verse shows that unbroken absorption in the Lord—seeing Him in all states of life (eating, walking, sleeping, breathing)—brings one to direct vision of Him, even if the remembrance began in fear.
Kaṁsa feared the prophecy of his death and therefore remained intensely preoccupied with Kṛṣṇa; that constant fixation, though hostile, kept his mind locked on the Supreme Lord.
Practice steady Krishna-smaraṇa throughout daily routines—while working, eating, resting, and breathing—by japa, hearing, and mindful remembrance, transforming scattered attention into continuous devotion.