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BHAGAVATAM – Krishna Leelas 6

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The news of Krishna's exploits was constantly pouring into Kamsa's court and he could

see his death getting closer. So, he thought of a new plan to put an end to Krishna's life.

Arishtasura

Kamsa had a demon named Arishtasura in his service. He was entrusted with the job of

eliminating Krishna. Arishtasura went to Brindavan and began to create trouble there.

He wanted to create a lot of trouble so that Krishna would challenge him!

Arishtasura entered the village like a great bull with a gigantic body and horns, digging

up the earth with his hooves. When the demon entered Brindavan, it appeared that the

whole land trembled, as if there were an earthquake. Arishtasura entered Brindavan

with such a fearful appearance that just on seeing this great demon, all the men and

women were afflicted with great fear, and the cows and other animals fled the village.

Arishtasura damaged many a house with his horns. He uprooted several trees and killed

a number of cows and calves too. The situation became very terrible. All the inhabitants

of Brindavan began to cry, "Krishna! Krishna, please save us!" Getting the news of

Arishtasura's intolerable activities, Krishna decided to punish the demon.

Krishna, accompanied by his brother, Balarama, went to

where the demon was creating trouble. He challenged him

with a clap of his hands. Balarama, when he saw the furious

bull, asked Krishna not to face him but Krishna paid no heed

to his advice. Arishtasura, mad in rage to hear the challenge,

rushed at Krishna. Krishna caught hold of his horns, pushed

him back, and then threw him on the ground with a violent

jerk. Giving him no chance to raise again, Krishna twisted his

neck with such a force that he fell down dead with a thud.

Arishtasura left the form of an asura, took a Brahmin form, and told “O Krishna! I am the

disciple of Brihaspati. Because of a curse, I became a demon. You have relieved me

from the curse with your mercy.”

Demon Keshi

Now Kamsa was trembling with fear at the very thought of Krishna. Every demon sent

by him had been killed at Krishna's hands and he was now convinced that his end was

quite near too. Kamsa now sent Keshi, his strongest demon, to put an end to Krishna's

life.

This demon used to roam in the form of a dark black horse, very dreadful to look at.

Even Devatas feared to see eye to eye with him. Keshi came to Brindavan at Kamsa’s

bidding. He galloped into the village of Brindavan, his hooves thundering and his mane

and tail flying. People were so afraid that they shut their doors and the scared cattle

broke loose to run for safety.

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Krishna knew the horse was another demon sent by his Uncle Kamsa. He went to

challenge Keshi. Keshi at once recognized Krishna, and galloped full speed straight

toward Him, intending to trample Him. Krishna, however, grabbed Keshi’s legs and

threw the great horse a hundred yards. Keshi

landed with a terrible thud, and was

unconscious for a few moments. He regained

consciousness and got up to attack again. This

time Keshi galloped toward Krishna with his

mouth wide open and teeth bared. Krishna

shoved his fist deep into that mouth and

flipped Keshi onto the ground. Krishna’s fist

felt to Keshi like hot iron, and all his teeth fell out. Then Krishna enlarged the length and

girth of His arm to such an extent that Keshi's throat got choked and his belly got

inflated. Finally it burst causing the demon to fall down dead on the ground. All the

villagers congratulated Krishna, and the demigods watching above sent showers of

flowers down upon Krishna.

Do you have any demons in your life that try and destroy you? These are things like bad

habits – eating too much, watching too much TV, too much video game, etc. Like

Krishna, we need to quickly destroy these demons and triumph over them.

Akrura’s Message to Nanda

The years rolled by and Krishna grew to be a boy of twelve years. The time for Kamsa’s

death was fast approaching. Narada, the divine sage, who ever acts as the instrument

to carry out Lord’s wishes, went to Kamsa and said, “O Kamsa, you have been tricked.

Devaki’s eighth son still lives in the house of Nanda in Brindavan. The female child you

sought to kill was Yashoda’s baby. The two were exchanged on the night of Krishna’s

birth. Krishna and his brother Balarama killed all the asuras you sent to kill them.”

Kamsa was terribly agitated and angered by hearing this. He drew out his sword and

rushed to kill Vasudeva, Krishna’s father. But Narada stopped him and explained that

Vasudeva was quite innocent. Nevertheless, Kamsa had Devaki and Vasudeva put into

chains and thrown into the darkest dungeons. Narada departed, and Kamsa sent for his

ministers and counselors. They decided to take recourse to treachery in order to

achieve his objective of killing Krishna.

Kamsa sent for Akrura. He was the chief of Kamsa’s charity department, He was a very

saintly person. “Akrura, my dear friend” Kamsa said. “You are trusted wherever you go.

Please go to Brindavan, and bring the two sons of Vasudeva, Nanda, and other family

members to witness the Dhanur-Yagna, and to see the sights of the town. My powerful

elephant will kill the brothers, and if they, by any chance, escape the elephant, my

wrestlers will quickly do away with them. My wonderful plan cannot but succeed.”

Akrura gladly agreed to go to Brindavan. He had a keen desire to see Krishna, who is

Lord Vishnu, Himself. Riding a chariot, he proceeded to Brindavan.

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Akrura reached Brindavan just as the sun was setting. Krishna and Balarama, refreshed

after a bath, were strolling in the courtyard, where the cows were being milked. In

great excitement at beholding the beautiful, shining face of the Lord, Akrura jumped

down from his chariot, saw Krishna’s footprints

first with tearful eyes, paid obeisance to them,

and then fell at the feet for Krishna and prostrated

before him. Krishna raised him to his feet and

embraced him warmly. Then the brothers took

him inside. They made him comfortable, and fed

him a delicious meal. Then Nanda and Akrura

exchanged greetings.

While they were talking, Akrura told them how Narada had come to Kamsa and revealed

to him the secret of Krishna’s birth. He also disclosed everything about Kamsa’s

treacherous plot to kill Krishna. At this, Krishna and Balarama laughed heartily. Nanda

ordered at once that the carriages and presents be got ready for their trip to Mathura.

He had it proclaimed throughout Brindavan that early the next morning they would

proceed to Mathura to witness the great Dhanur-Yagna. LEARN WHAT HAPPENED IN

THE NEXT LESSON!

Questions:

• Where did Krishna live?

• What is an asura?

• What form was Arishtasura in?

• Did Arishtasura meet a tragic end, or did Krishna help him?

• What form did the demon Keshi take?

• How many demons, from this and previous lessons, can you remember that

Kamsa sent to kill Krishna?

• What were their names and forms?

• Do you remember who Devaki and Nanda are?

• Where did Kamsa put them? Why?

• Who was Akrura? Was he happy to see Krishna? Why?

• What was Kamsa’s latest plot to kill Krishna?

MahaLakshmi Ashtakam

Namstestu Mahamaye Shripithe Surapujite

SankhaChakra GadhaHaste MahaLakshmi Namostute (1)

Namaste Garudarudhe Dolasura Bhayankari

SarvaPapaHare Devi MahaLakshmi Namostute (2)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5Pg1RoMJP4

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Jumble Words – All words are from this lesson

K H O C E

D H T U

R S E A C

R Y M C E

U P R O

W O S E R H

S N P H U I

L V E R A E

L X P E O T I

T C A E R E

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Coloring exercise – Lord Krishna