Pradyumna’s Abduction, Mahā-māyā, and the Slaying of Śambara
तं दृष्ट्वा जलदश्यामं पीतकौशेयवाससम् । प्रलम्बबाहुं ताम्राक्षं सुस्मितं रुचिराननम् ॥ २७ ॥ स्वलङ्कृतमुखाम्भोजं नीलवक्रालकालिभि: । कृष्णं मत्वा स्त्रियो ह्रीता निलिल्युस्तत्र तत्र ह ॥ २८ ॥
taṁ dṛṣṭvā jalada-śyāmaṁ pīta-kauśeya-vāsasam pralamba-bāhuṁ tāmrākṣaṁ su-smitaṁ rucirānanam
Al contemplarlo azul oscuro como nube de lluvia, con seda amarilla, brazos largos, ojos rojizos y un rostro de loto con dulce sonrisa, adornado con joyas y cabellera azul rizada y espesa, las mujeres lo creyeron el Señor Śrī Kṛṣṇa; avergonzadas, se escondieron por doquier.
This verse highlights the classic features associated with Kṛṣṇa—rain-cloud complexion, yellow silk, long arms, lotus-like reddish eyes, a gentle smile, and dark curling hair—showing why His form naturally awakens devotion and awe.
Because his appearance closely resembled Kṛṣṇa’s divine beauty and ornaments; seeing those familiar marks, they assumed he was Kṛṣṇa and, feeling shy and reverential, hid themselves.
Use the verse as a meditation: contemplate the described features of the Lord’s form while chanting, so the mind becomes absorbed in divine remembrance rather than worldly distraction.