Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 1
Kṛṣṇa Enters Mathurā: City Splendor, Devotees’ Reception, and the Washerman’s Fate
श्रीशुक उवाच स्तुवतस्तस्य भगवान् दर्शयित्वा जले वपु: । भूय: समाहरत् कृष्णो नटो नाट्यमिवात्मन: ॥ १ ॥
śrī-śuka uvāca stuvatas tasya bhagavān darśayitvā jale vapuḥ bhūyaḥ samāharat kṛṣṇo naṭo nāṭyam ivātmanaḥ
舒迦提婆说：当阿克鲁罗仍在赞颂时，至上主克里希纳收回了祂在水中显现的形相，正如演员收束自己的表演。
Lord Kṛṣṇa withdrew from Akrūra’s sight the Viṣṇu form along with the vision of the spiritual sky and its eternal inhabitants.
FAQs
This verse shows that Bhagavān Kṛṣṇa can grant direct darśana—revealing His form—when a devotee offers heartfelt praises, and He may also withdraw that vision according to His divine will.
The comparison highlights līlā: Kṛṣṇa freely manifests and withdraws His visible form, just as an actor displays and then concludes a performance, remaining always in full control.
Practice steady devotion without entitlement—offer sincere prayers and service, and accept both moments of spiritual clarity and apparent withdrawal as part of Kṛṣṇa’s purposeful guidance.