Krishna and Balarama, the two divine protectors of the world, took on the simple lives of cowherds. In their childhood, Krishna, ever mischievous, was once tied to a mortar by his mother Yashoda, who, busy with her household tasks, sought to restrain him. Yet, with childlike innocence, Krishna crawled between two great Arjuna trees, and as he passed, the trees were miraculously uprooted. Even as an infant, seeking his mother’s affection, Krishna overturned a heavy cart with a mere touch of his foot. When the demoness Putana arrived, intending to slay the child by nursing him with poisoned milk, Krishna instead ended her life as she fed him. Later, in Vrindavana, Krishna subdued the serpent Kaliya, who was poisoning the waters of the Yamuna. After driving Kaliya away and being praised for his strength, Krishna made the Talavana forest safe by slaying Dhenuka, the demon in the form of a wild ass. His heroic deeds continued: Krishna killed Arishta, the bull-demon, and Keshi, who appeared as a fierce horse. He then instructed the cowherds to abandon the worship of Indra, the rain god, and instead perform a sacrifice honoring the cows. Angered, Indra sent torrential rains, but Krishna lifted the Govardhana mountain, sheltering the people and cattle beneath it. Awed, Indra himself worshipped Govinda and offered him to Arjuna. Later, Krishna, pleased, allowed the Indra festival to be observed once more. At Kamsa’s command, Akrura brought Krishna to Mathura, where he was greeted with praise. The loving Gopis gazed upon Krishna with adoration, and he played joyfully with them. In Mathura, he defeated a washerman who refused him garments, and together with Balarama, he wore a garland and granted a boon to the garland-maker. Krishna straightened the hunchbacked woman who had anointed him and then slew the mighty elephant Kuvalayapida at the city gate. Entering the wrestling arena, Krishna and Balarama confronted the wrestlers before Kamsa and his court. Krishna fought and slew Chanura, while Balarama vanquished Mushtika; their other adversaries fell as well. These wrestlers were sons of Jarasandha, who, upon hearing of their deaths, besieged Mathura and fought the Yadavas to avenge Kamsa. Krishna and Balarama eventually left Mathura for Gomanta, where they defeated Jarasandha in battle and also overcame Paundraka Vasudeva. Establishing the city of Dvaraka, Krishna settled there with the Yadavas. After slaying Bhauma (Naraka), Krishna rescued the captive maidens and brought them to safety. Janardana, as Krishna is also known, married these maidens—originating from the gods, Gandharvas, and Yakshas—numbering sixteen thousand, beginning with Rukmini, and eight others. Joined by Satyabhama, who had subdued Naraka, Krishna mounted Garuda and journeyed to Mani mountain. There, he conquered Indra and brought back the divine jewel from heaven. He also brought the celestial Parijata tree, placing it in Satyabhama’s house. Krishna learned the science of weapons from Sandipani and, as a token of gratitude, restored Sandipani’s lost son. Krishna then defeated the demon Panchajana and was honored by Yama, the lord of death. He slew Kalayavana and received the respect of Mucukunda. Krishna honored his parents, Vasudeva and Devaki, as well as the devoted Brahmanas. Balabhadra (Balarama) and Revati, after performing a great sacrifice, prepared for their departure from this world. From Krishna and his wives were born many sons: from Jambavati came Samba; from Rukmini, Pradyumna, who was stolen on the sixth day after his birth. The demon Shambara cast Pradyumna into the ocean, where a fisherman caught him inside a fish. The fish was brought to Shambara, and with him was Mayavati. Recognizing her own husband within the fish, Mayavati, filled with affection, cared for Pradyumna and revealed to him, “I am your Rati, you are my husband. You are Kama, made bodiless by Shiva, and I was taken by Shambara. I am not his wife. Use your knowledge of magic to slay Shambara.” Hearing this, Pradyumna killed Shambara and, together with Mayavati, returned to Krishna and Rukmini, who rejoiced at their reunion. From Pradyumna was born Aniruddha, noble and valorous, who became the beloved of Usha, daughter of Bāna, son of Bali, in the city of Sonita. Through austerity, Bāna became the son of Shiva, who promised him the boon of battle. Usha, seeing Gauri playing with Shiva, yearned for a husband. Gauri foretold that her husband would appear to her in a dream on the twelfth day of the month of Vaishakha. Usha, delighted, saw Aniruddha in her dream. Learning of her union with Aniruddha, Usha’s friend Citralekha painted his image and, using her mystical powers, brought Aniruddha from Dvaraka to Usha without hindrance. When Bāna’s guards discovered the couple, they informed Bāna, and a fierce battle erupted between Bāna and Aniruddha. Hearing of this from Narada, Krishna, accompanied by Pradyumna and Balabhadra, mounted Garuda and confronted Bāna. They overcame the fiery and feverish forces of Maheshvara (Shiva). A great battle ensued between Krishna and Shankara, with volleys of arrows exchanged. Nandi, Vinayaka, Skanda, and others were defeated by Krishna’s allies. When Shiva was overcome by Vishnu’s Jṛmbhaṇa weapon, a thousand of Bāna’s arms were severed. Rudra (Shiva), seeking safety for Bāna, was granted it by Krishna. By Vishnu’s grace, Bāna was spared, and Krishna assured Shiva, “The fearlessness granted to Bāna by you and by me remains. There is no division between us; whoever creates division attains hell.” Thus, worshipped by Shiva and others, Vishnu returned with Aniruddha and Usha. Back in Dvaraka, Krishna delighted with Ugrasena and the Yadavas. Aniruddha’s son, Vajra, descended from Markandeya, was renowned for his wisdom. Balabhadra, destroyer of Pralamba, drew the Yamuna to him, shattered the monkey Dvivida, and quelled the pride of the Kauravas. Hari, the lord, enjoyed his life in a single form with Rukmini and his other wives, fathering countless sons among the Yadavas. Thus, the great sage Agni declared, “I will recount the Bharata, describing the greatness of Krishna. Vishnu, taking the Pandavas as his cause, removed the burden of the earth.