Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 23
The Killing of Ariṣṭāsura and Kaṁsa’s Plot to Summon Kṛṣṇa
भो भो निशम्यतामेतद् वीरचाणूरमुष्टिकौ । नन्दव्रजे किलासाते सुतावानकदुन्दुभे: ॥ २२ ॥ रामकृष्णौ ततो मह्यं मृत्यु: किल निदर्शित: । भवद्भ्यामिह सम्प्राप्तौ हन्येतां मल्ललीलया ॥ २३ ॥
bho bho niśamyatām etad vīra-cāṇūra-muṣṭikau nanda-vraje kilāsāte sutāv ānakadundubheḥ
O mga bayaning Cāṇūra at Muṣṭika, pakinggan ninyo ito. Sina Rāma at Kṛṣṇa, ang mga anak ni Vasudeva, ay nakatira sa nayon ni Nanda. Ipinagpauna na ang dalawang batang lalaking ito ang magiging sanhi ng aking kamatayan. Kapag dinala Sila rito, patayin ninyo Sila sa pamamagitan ng pagkukunwaring isang laban sa buno.
FAQs
In this verse, Kaṁsa admits that his death is now certain because Rāma and Kṛṣṇa have arrived in Mathurā, and he plans to have them killed through a staged wrestling match.
Kaṁsa intended to hide his murderous intent behind public entertainment—using the “malla-līlā” as a pretext—so the killing would appear like a contest rather than open tyranny.
Adharma often disguises itself as “normal” or “acceptable” activity; this verse reminds a seeker to recognize hidden motives and to trust that truth ultimately prevails despite such schemes.