Trivakrā

Trivakrā was a woman of Mathurā who carried sandalwood paste to the palace of Kaṃsa. She is also called Kubjā (the hunchback) and Śairindhrī (a menial servant of the court). Her name Trivakrā means three-curved, for her body had three bends. On the day Kṛshṇa and Balarāma first entered Mathurā, she gave her whole basket of sweet-smelling paste to Kṛshṇa with joy. Out of grace, Bhagavān Kṛshṇa made her body straight at once and she became a woman of great beauty. He promised to visit her home, and he kept that promise after Kaṃsa’s death.

First meeting and the gift of paste (chapter 42)

On the morning after they came to Mathurā, Kṛshṇa and Balarāma walked through the city streets on their way to see the great bow of Kaṃsa’s dhanur-yāga (the bow ritual). Among the people they met was a woman called Trivakrā. Her name came from the three bends (vakra) that twisted her body, so that she walked with difficulty and her form was crooked.

She was a servant who had been told to carry a basket of costly, sweet-smelling sandalwood paste to Kaṃsa’s palace. Kṛshṇa saw her and asked her for the paste. She gave him the whole basket at once and with full joy. No one forced her. Something in Kṛshṇa’s presence moved her wholly, and she gave all she had. (Bhāgavata Mahā Purāṇa, 10th Skandha, chapter 42)

Kṛshṇa makes her body straight

Kṛshṇa was pleased by her free giving and moved by compassion. He put the tips of his toes under her feet to lift her a little, and at the same time pressed his thumbs upward at her chin. With this gentle act, the touch of Bhagavān Kṛshṇa, her spine became straight, her stance was set right and the three curves were gone. She stood upright and changed.

The Bhāgavata tells that she became a woman of great beauty, and her old deformity gave way to an upright and graceful form. The people of Mathurā who saw it were amazed.

Trivakrā was full of joy and thanks. She caught Kṛshṇa’s hand and asked him to come to her home. She said simply: “Come. I will offer you whatever I can.” Kṛshṇa smiled and promised to visit. (Bhāgavata Mahā Purāṇa, 10th Skandha, chapter 42)

Kṛshṇa keeps his promise (chapter 48)

This came after the death of Kaṃsa, the freeing of Devakī and Vasudeva, Kṛshṇa’s time at the gurukula (teacher’s home) of Sāṇḍīpani, and Uddhava’s mission to Gokula. Kṛshṇa went to Trivakrā’s house to keep his promise. In the time between, she had made ready. Her house was filled with perfumes, garlands, fine furnishings and lamps, and with every sign of welcome and love.

Kṛshṇa came, and she received him with deep respect and joy. She bathed and adorned herself with care and came to him with both eagerness and shyness. Kṛshṇa drew her to the decorated bed, and they were together.

When Kṛshṇa moved to leave, Trivakrā held his hand and asked him to stay, even a few more days. She said plainly that she was not able to let go of his company. The Bhāgavata shows how her love, which began with the simple gift of sandalwood paste, had grown into true longing for Bhagavān Kṛshṇa. Kṛshṇa gave her a vara (a boon) and then left with Uddhava. (Bhāgavata Mahā Purāṇa, 10th Skandha, chapter 48)

Sources

• Bhāgavata Mahā Purāṇa, 10th Skandha, chapters 42 and 48