A dreadful scene unfolded in Gokula. The bull-demon Ariṣṭa, monstrous in form, began to terrorize the cowherd settlement. He released dung bit by bit and urinated as he moved, his fierce, harsh bellowing echoing through the fields, terrifying both cows and people. His eyes, fixed and unblinking, struck fear into all who beheld him. So terrible was his presence that pregnant women miscarried from fright. Even the clouds, mistaking his enormous hump for a mountain, scattered away in confusion. The cowherd men and women, seeing Ariṣṭa’s sharp horns, were seized by terror; the cattle, frightened beyond measure, fled the settlement, abandoning Gokula altogether. In their distress, all cried out, “Krishna! Krishna!” and sought refuge in Govinda. Seeing Gokula panic-stricken and overwhelmed by fear, the Lord Krishna took notice. He comforted them, saying, “Do not be afraid,” and called out to the bull-demon, as the trembling cowherds and cattle looked on: “What is this, O worst of creatures?” Krishna, Achyuta, struck the ground with his palm, provoking Ariṣṭa with a resounding slap, and declared, “I am the destroyer of the pride of the wicked, like you, O evil-minded one.” Standing with his arm extended over his friend's shoulder, Hari awaited Ariṣṭa’s response. Enraged, Ariṣṭa scraped the earth with his hoof, whirled his raised tail like a storm cloud, and charged furiously at Krishna. With sharp horns pointed forward and bloodshot eyes fixed on Achyuta, Ariṣṭa rushed at Krishna, casting a sidelong glance, like a thunderbolt unleashed by Indra. But the Lord seized him by the horns, stepped back eighteen paces, and dragged him away, just as an elephant might pull back another elephant. Thrown aside by Krishna, Ariṣṭa quickly rose again, his whole body drenched in sweat, breathing heavily, and overcome by wrath, he charged once more. Krishna seized the charging Ariṣṭa by the horns, pressed him down with his foot, and threw him to the ground. Then, as one wrings out wet clothes, he squeezed the demon and struck him with his own horn, causing Ariṣṭa to collapse. Vomiting blood, releasing urine and feces, flailing his legs, and his eyes rolling unsteadily, Ariṣṭa suffered greatly and met his end at the hands of Nirṛti. The gods rejoiced, showering Krishna with flowers and praising him. Having slain the bull-demon Kukudmin in this way, Krishna, praised by the twice-born, entered the cowherd settlement with Balarama, becoming a festival for the eyes of the gopīs. When Ariṣṭa was slain by Krishna’s wondrous deeds, the divine sage Nārada, who beholds the gods, went to inform Kaṃsa. He told Kaṃsa that the daughter of Yaśodā, the boy Krishna of Devakī, and Rāma, the son of Rohiṇī, had been entrusted by the fearful Vasudeva. Vasudeva had placed them in the care of his friend Nanda, and it was these two who had slain Kaṃsa’s men. Hearing this, the king of the Bhojas, his senses agitated by anger, took up a sharp sword, intending to kill Vasudeva. But Nārada restrained him, revealing that the two sons were destined to be his death. Realizing this, Kaṃsa bound Vasudeva and his wife with iron chains. When the divine sage departed, Kaṃsa summoned the demon Keśin and spoke to him, commanding, “Go and kill Rāma and Keśava; then send Muṣṭika, Cāṇūra, Śala, Tośala, and others.” Kaṃsa then summoned his ministers and elephant-keepers, saying, “Listen, all of you: these are the mighty wrestlers Cāṇūra and Muṣṭika. In Nanda’s cowherd village reside the two sons of Ānakadundubhi, Rāma and Krishna; therefore, my death has been foretold at their hands. You two must kill them here in a wrestling match; let various platforms be prepared, surrounded by the wrestling arena, so that all the citizens and country folk may witness their combat.” He continued, “O chief minister, have the elephant Kuvalayāpīḍa brought to the gate of the arena; let him kill my enemies there. Let the bow-sacrifice be commenced on the fourteenth day, according to the prescribed rites; let the pure animals be brought in for offering to the Lord of beings, the bestower of blessings.” Having thus instructed his expert in practical affairs, Kaṃsa summoned the foremost among the Yadus, took his hand in his own, and then spoke to Akrura: “O generous lord, please, out of respect, establish friendship with me; among the Bhojas and Vrishnis, there is no one more well-wishing than you. Therefore, gentle one, I have taken refuge in you, as you are capable of accomplishing important tasks, just as Indra, relying on Vishnu, attained his own purpose, O mighty one.” “Go to Nanda’s Vraja; there, the two sons of Anakadundubhi are staying. Bring them here at once in this chariot. It is said that my death has been sent by the gods who dwell in Vaikuntha; bring those two here together with the cowherds, led by Nanda, along with their gifts. When they have been brought here, I will have them killed by the elephant, who is like death itself; if they escape, then I will have them slain by wrestlers, fierce as lightning. When those two have been killed, I will destroy Vasudeva and the others who are tormented, and I will slay their relatives—the Vrishnis, Bhojas, and Dasharhas. I will also kill Ugrasena, my aged father who desires the throne, his brother Devaka, and all others who are hostile to me. Then, my friend, this earth will be free of thorns; Jarasandha is my mentor, Dvivida my dear companion and friend. Shambara, Naraka, and Bana are devoted to me in friendship; with them, I will destroy the kings allied with the gods, and enjoy the earth. Knowing this, quickly bring Rama and Krishna, who delight in play, to witness the bow-sacrifice and to see the splendor of the Yadu city.” Sri Akrura replied, “O King, your command is proper, and the removal of your enemies is your own duty; success or failure depends equally on destiny, for destiny is the cause of results. People strive greatly for their desires, even when hindered by fate; they are subject to both joy and sorrow. Nevertheless, I will carry out your order.” Sri Shuka continued: Thus instructing Akrura and dismissing his ministers, Kaṃsa entered his palace, and Akrura likewise returned to his own house. Then, Keśi, sent by Kaṃsa, appeared—a mighty horse as swift as the mind. He trampled the earth with his hooves, shaking the sky with his mane and neighing so fiercely that all were terrified. With wide eyes, a monstrous mouth, a huge neck, and dark as a great raincloud, harboring evil intent and wishing to aid Kaṃsa, he went to Nanda’s Vraja, making it tremble.