Trivakrā’s Transformation and the Breaking of Kaṁsa’s Bow
Mathurā-līlā Prelude
चाणूरो मुष्टिक: कूट: शलस्तोशल एव च । त आसेदुरुपस्थानं वल्गुवाद्यप्रहर्षिता: ॥ ३७ ॥
cāṇūro muṣṭikaḥ kūtaḥ śalas tośala eva ca ta āsedur upasthānaṁ valgu-vādya-praharṣitāḥ
Hứng khởi bởi tiếng nhạc êm dịu, Canura, Muṣṭika, Kūṭa, Śala và Tośala ngồi xuống trên thảm đấu của võ đài vật.
They are Kaṁsa’s champion wrestlers who come forward in the arena to challenge Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma during the Mathurā pastimes (Bhāgavatam 10.42).
As part of Kaṁsa’s plan to kill the Lord, his wrestlers stepped forward to engage Them in a public wrestling match, encouraged by the festive music and atmosphere.
Worldly excitement and entertainment can embolden harmful intentions; a devotee learns to stay discerning and take shelter of Kṛṣṇa amid external glamour.