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
随后不动主奎师那向城中人询问举行弓祭的场所。进入其间,他看见那张奇妙之弓,宛如因陀罗之弓一般。
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).