Yoga-māyā Appears as Durgā; Kaṁsa’s Repentance and the Demonic Policy of Persecuting Vaiṣṇavas
किमुद्यमै: करिष्यन्ति देवा: समरभीरव: । नित्यमुद्विग्नमनसो ज्याघोषैर्धनुषस्तव ॥ ३२ ॥
kim udyamaiḥ kariṣyanti devāḥ samara-bhīravaḥ nityam udvigna-manaso jyā-ghoṣair dhanuṣas tava
Os semideuses sempre temem o som da corda do seu arco. Eles estão constantemente ansiosos, com medo de lutar. Portanto, o que eles podem fazer com seus esforços para prejudicá-lo?
This verse depicts Kaṁsa’s contemptuous view that the devas are anxious and timid, implying that worldly power and high position do not guarantee fearlessness without divine shelter.
In the narrative of Canto 10, Chapter 4, Kaṁsa is emboldened in his tyranny and belittles the devas, assuming their efforts cannot stop him as he intensifies his persecutions.
External status can’t remove inner anxiety; steadiness comes from taking shelter of dharma and devotion rather than relying only on power, position, or intimidation.