Trivakrā’s Transformation and the Breaking of Kaṁsa’s Bow
Mathurā-līlā Prelude
धनुषो भज्यमानस्य शब्द: खं रोदसी दिश: । पूरयामास यं श्रुत्वा कंसस्त्रासमुपागमत् ॥ १८ ॥
dhanuṣo bhajyamānasya śabdaḥ khaṁ rodasī diśaḥ pūrayām āsa yaṁ śrutvā kaṁsas trāsam upāgamat
വില്ല് പൊട്ടുന്ന ആ മഹാശബ്ദം ആകാശവും ഭൂമിയും എല്ലാ ദിക്കുകളും നിറച്ചു. അത് കേട്ട കംസൻ ഭീതിയിൽ വിറച്ചു.
This verse states that when Krishna broke the great bow, the sound filled all directions, and Kaṁsa—hearing it—was overtaken by fear.
In the narrative, the bow was a royal, guarded weapon; Krishna shattering it effortlessly signaled irresistible divine strength and the nearing fulfillment of the prophecy of Kaṁsa’s downfall.
The same divine power that terrifies the ego and wrongdoing becomes shelter for the surrendered; the verse encourages turning fear into refuge by remembering and serving the Lord.