Shloka 22

Trivakrā’s Transformation and the Breaking of Kaṁsa’s Bow

Mathurā-līlā Prelude

Devanagari script

तयोस्तद् अद्भुतं वीर्यं निर्शाम्य पुरवासिनः । तेजः प्रागल्भ्यं रूपं च मनीरे विभुद्दोत्थौ ॥ २२ ॥

Transliteration

tayos tad adbhutaṁ vīryaṁ niśāmya pura-vāsinaḥ tejaḥ prāgalbhyaṁ rūpaṁ ca menire vibudhottamau

Translation

Ayant vu l’exploit merveilleux de Kṛṣṇa et de Balarāma, et contemplant Leur force, Leur hardiesse et Leur beauté, les gens de la cité pensèrent qu’Ils étaient deux grands demi-dieux.

Synonyms

• तयोः: of the two (of them)
• तयोः: सम्बन्ध (षष्ठी/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), द्विवचन (Dual), सर्वनाम

• तत्: that
• तत्: विशेषण (Qualifier)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन (Singular), सर्वनाम; विशेषणरूपेण

• अद्भुतम्: wonderful
• अद्भुतम्: विशेषण (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अद्भुत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; विशेषण

• वीर्यम्: power, prowess
• वीर्यम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वीर्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• निशाम्य: having seen
• निशाम्य: पूर्वकालक्रिया (Absolutive; prior action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नि√शम् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (Absolutive/Gerund), अव्ययभाव; ‘having observed/seen’

• पुरवासिनः: the city-dwellers
• पुरवासिनः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुर-वासिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः (पुरे वासिनः)

• तेजः: splendor, radiance
• तेजः: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तेजस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• प्रागल्भ्यम्: boldness, confidence
• प्रागल्भ्यम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रागल्भ्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• रूपम्: form, beauty
• रूपम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रूप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय (Coordinator)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• मेनिरे: they considered, they thought
• मेनिरे: क्रिया (Verb/Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √मन् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन; आत्मनेपद

• विबुधोत्तमौ: the two best of the gods
• विबुधोत्तमौ: कर्म (Karma/Object; predicate accusative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विबुध-उत्तम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), द्विवचन; तत्पुरुषः (विबुधानाम् उत्तमौ)

Characters & Entities

• Krishna
• Balarama
• Mathura-vāsīs (residents of Mathura)

FAQs

How did the people of Mathura recognize Krishna and Balarama as divine in Srimad Bhagavatam?

By observing Their extraordinary prowess along with unmistakable splendor, fearless confidence, and unparalleled beauty, the residents concluded These qualities were of divine origin.

Why does Shukadeva Gosvami highlight Krishna’s radiance and boldness in Canto 10 Chapter 42?

To show how Bhagavān’s presence naturally reveals itself—His beauty and majesty awaken recognition in onlookers, advancing the Mathurā-līlā narrative as Krishna arrives in the city.

What is the practical application of this verse for modern devotees?

Train the heart to notice genuine spiritual qualities—purity, fearlessness, and divine-centered beauty—so faith deepens and one becomes more receptive to Krishna’s presence through śāstra, sādhus, and bhakti practice.