Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 15
Trivakrā’s Transformation and the Breaking of Kaṁsa’s Bow
Mathurā-līlā Prelude
तत: पौरान् पृच्छमानो धनुष: स्थानमच्युत: । तस्मिन् प्रविष्टो ददृशे धनुरैन्द्रमिवाद्भुतम् ॥ १५ ॥
tataḥ paurān pṛcchamāno dhanuṣaḥ sthānam acyutaḥ tasmin praviṣṭo dadṛśe dhanur aindram ivādbhutam
Rồi Acyuta, Kṛṣṇa, hỏi dân địa phương nơi đặt đấu trường của lễ tế cây cung. Khi vào đó, Ngài thấy cây cung kỳ diệu, tựa như cung của thần Indra.
FAQs
This verse says Kṛṣṇa (Acyuta) asked the citizens where the bow was kept, entered the place, and saw a wondrous bow likened to Indra’s celestial weapon—setting the stage for His divine feat.
In the Mathurā narrative, Kṛṣṇa moves openly through the city and proceeds toward the royal bow-sacrifice area; asking the citizens highlights the public, fearless nature of His līlā and leads directly into the confrontation around Kaṁsa’s arrangements.
Like Kṛṣṇa calmly seeking the right place and then acting decisively, a devotee can combine humility (inquiring properly) with courage (entering challenges with faith in the Lord’s protection).