Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 28
Trivakrā’s Transformation and the Breaking of Kaṁsa’s Bow
Mathurā-līlā Prelude
अदर्शनं स्वशिरस: प्रतिरूपे च सत्यपि । असत्यपि द्वितीये च द्वैरूप्यं ज्योतिषां तथा ॥ २८ ॥ छिद्रप्रतीतिश्छायायां प्राणघोषानुपश्रुति: । स्वर्णप्रतीतिर्वृक्षेषु स्वपदानामदर्शनम् ॥ २९ ॥ स्वप्ने प्रेतपरिष्वङ्ग: खरयानं विषादनम् । यायान्नलदमाल्येकस्तैलाभ्यक्तो दिगम्बर: ॥ ३० ॥ अन्यानि चेत्थं भूतानि स्वप्नजागरितानि च । पश्यन् मरणसन्त्रस्तो निद्रां लेभे न चिन्तया ॥ ३१ ॥
adarśanaṁ sva-śirasaḥ pratirūpe ca saty api asaty api dvitīye ca dvai-rūpyaṁ jyotiṣāṁ tathā
他照见自己的影像，却看不见头颅；又无缘无故，月与星都呈现双影。他见自己的影子仿佛有洞；听不见生命之气的声息；树木似披金辉；连自己的足迹也不见。梦中他被鬼魅拥抱，骑驴而行并饮下毒物；又见一裸身之人遍涂油脂，佩戴那罗陀花鬘走过。如此种种凶兆，梦中与醒时皆现，甘萨因死亡逼近而惊惧，忧虑之下终不能眠。
FAQs
This verse explains that perception can be unreliable—one may not perceive what is present or may perceive what is absent—illustrating how illusion can distort experience.
He uses everyday perceptual errors to show that appearances can mislead, preparing the listener to understand deeper truths beyond surface perception.
Pause before reacting to appearances; verify with discernment and śāstra-guided understanding, especially when emotions or fear amplify misperception.