Shloka 3
Trivakrā’s Transformation and the Breaking of Kaṁsa’s Bow
Mathurā-līlā Prelude
सैरन्ध्र्युवाच दास्यस्म्यहं सुन्दर कंससम्मतात्रिवक्रनामा ह्यनुलेपकर्मणि । मद्भावितं भोजपतेरतिप्रियंविना युवां कोऽन्यतमस्तदर्हति ॥ ३ ॥
sairandhry uvāca dāsy asmy ahaṁ sundara kaṁsa-sammatā trivakra-nāmā hy anulepa-karmaṇi mad-bhāvitaṁ bhoja-pater ati-priyaṁ vinā yuvāṁ ko ’nyatamas tad arhati
Hamba perempuan itu berkata: “Wahai yang tampan, aku hamba Raja Kaṁsa; baginda menghargai aku kerana kerja membuat sapuan wangi. Namaku Trivakrā. Sapuan yang amat disukai penguasa Bhoja ini—selain kalian berdua, siapakah lagi yang layak?”
Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī explains that Trivakrā, who is also known as Kubjā, used the singular address sundara, “O handsome one,” to hint that she felt conjugal desire for Kṛṣṇa alone, and she used the dual form yuvām, “for both of You,” to try to hide her conjugal sentiment. The hunchback’s name, Trivakrā, indicates that her body was bent at the neck, chest and waist.
FAQs
This verse shows Trivakrā offering what is most prized by Kaṁsa—her finest ointment—directly to Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma, expressing that they alone truly deserve the best.
Though employed by Kaṁsa, Trivakrā is captivated by Kṛṣṇa’s beauty and divinity; her words reveal an awakening devotion that transcends her worldly affiliation.
Offer your best—time, skill, and sincerity—in service to God, rather than giving only leftovers; devotion can begin through simple, heartfelt acts of seva.