Narada, the mischievous celestial sage, had been watching the events at Vrindavan with interest for some time now. “Alak Niranjan!” Narada called out his greeting as he reached Kansa’s palace. He then narrated Lord Krishna’s exploits before evil Kansa. The demon-ruler got worried and started plotting how to kill Lord Krishna and Balarama. Kansa knew that he must either destroy them or lose his life.
One day, Kansa finally thought of a plan. He summoned the strong wrestlers Chanura and Mushtika. When the two wrestlers arrived, they fell at his feet to greet him. Both the wrestlers were so tall that even the most massive pillars of the palace looked dwarf-like next to them. Their arms were so strong and sinewy that rocks could be crushed into fine powder by them. The evil Kansa ordered them to kill Lord Krishna and Balarama in a wrestling match. He then explained the plan to them.
The wrestlers were unaware that they were about to meet with their own end instead.
Kansa arranged for a yajna (fire ceremony), where offerings would be made to the Fire-god. On this occasion, he planned to hold the wrestling match between Krishna, Balarama and the two wrestlers. Kansa sent his associate Akrura to bring Krishna and Balarama to Mathura. ‘This will not be enough to destroy them. I must make other plans,’ thought evil Kansa. So, he sent an asura (demon) called Keshi to destroy the two brothers in Vrindavan itself. Alongside, he planned to release a huge elephant called Kubalayapida in the arena.
Kansa thought, ‘If one plan does not succeed, another will. Now, I have nothing to fear about. If Keshi does not manage to kill them, surely Chanura and Mushtika will. Failing that, huge elephant Kubalayapida will kill them. I am safe.’ But foolish Kansa did not know that his end was near.
When the horse-shaped demon Keshi arrived at Vrindavan to kill Lord Krishna, all the cowherds shivered in fright. He ripped the earth with his hooves and even attacked the Surya (Sun) and the Chandrama (Moon). “Do not fear as I am here,” said Lord Krishna.
Demon Keshi heard this and stormed fitfully, “I will kill You and punish the people of Vrindavan!” His massive hoofs thudded the ground as he charged ahead in utter rage. Lord Krishna ripped Keshi into two and destroyed him because of which He is also known as ‘Keshava.’
Akrura arrived soon after and informed Krishna and Balarama that they had been invited to Mathura. Nanda, Yashoda, the gopis and the cowherds wept with grief as they bade Lord Krishna goodbye. Radha, too, cried out in pain at the parting. Balarama and Lord Krishna also felt deep grief as they climbed into the chariot with Akrura and left for Mathura.
