Trivakrā’s Transformation and the Breaking of Kaṁsa’s Bow
Mathurā-līlā Prelude
रूपपेशलमाधुर्यहसितालापवीक्षितै: । धर्षितात्मा ददौ सान्द्रमुभयोरनुलेपनम् ॥ ४ ॥
rūpa-peśala-mādhurya hasitālāpa-vīkṣitaiḥ dharṣitātmā dadau sāndram ubhayor anulepanam
કૃષ્ણના રૂપ, લાવણ્ય, માધુર્ય, હાસ્ય, વાણી અને દૃષ્ટિથી તેનું મન મોહીત થયું; ત્યારે ત્રિવક્રાએ કૃષ્ણ અને બલરામ—બન્નેને ઘન અને પ્રચુર અનુલેપન આપ્યું.
This incident is also described in the Viṣṇu Purāṇa (5.20.7):
This verse says Kubjā, overwhelmed by Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma’s beauty, sweetness, smiles, words, and glances, offered both of Them a rich, thick sandal-paste application as loving service.
In the Mathurā narrative, Kubjā is drawn to Them by Their divine charm and becomes eager to render service; her offering of sandal paste is a spontaneous act of devotion prompted by their presence.
Let devotion express itself through sincere, tangible service—offering one’s best with a receptive heart—because bhakti often begins with simple acts done in appreciation of the Divine.