As the fierce demon Ariṣṭa, in the form of a monstrous bull, charged wildly, Krishna seized him firmly by the horns. Planting his foot with unshakable strength, Krishna pressed the demon down and hurled him to the ground. With the ease of wringing out a wet garment, he squeezed Ariṣṭa, then struck him with his own horn, sending the demon crashing to the earth. Overcome, Ariṣṭa convulsed—blood pouring from his mouth, his body releasing urine and feces, his legs flailing helplessly, and his eyes rolling in agony. In this wretched state, Ariṣṭa met his end, claimed by Nirṛti, the lord of death. The gods, witnessing Krishna’s deed, showered him with flowers and sang his praises. Having thus slain the bull-demon Kukudmin, Krishna, glorified by the learned twice-born, returned to the cowherd settlement with his brother Balarama. Their arrival was a festival for the eyes of the gopīs, who beheld the two heroes with wonder and joy. News of Ariṣṭa’s defeat at Krishna’s hands soon reached the sage Nārada, the divine seer who beholds the gods. Nārada journeyed to the city of Mathurā to inform the wicked king Kaṃsa of these wondrous events. He revealed to Kaṃsa that the daughter of Yaśodā, young Krishna, son of Devakī, and Balarama, son of Rohiṇī, had all been entrusted by the fearful Vasudeva. Vasudeva had placed the two boys in the care of his friend Nanda, and it was they who had been the ruin of Kaṃsa’s agents. Hearing this, Kaṃsa’s senses were seized by uncontrollable rage. He sprang up, sword in hand, intent on killing Vasudeva. But Nārada restrained him, declaring that these two sons were destined to bring about Kaṃsa’s own death. Realizing the gravity of this revelation, Kaṃsa, now filled with dread, bound Vasudeva and his wife in iron chains. After the sage departed, Kaṃsa summoned the demon Keśin and gave him a deadly command: “Go, kill Rāma and Keśava. Afterward, send for Muṣṭika, Cāṇūra, Śala, Tośala, and the others.” Gathering his ministers and elephant-keepers, Kaṃsa addressed them: “Listen well. These are the mighty wrestlers, Cāṇūra and Muṣṭika. In Nanda’s village dwell the two sons of Ānakadundubhi, Rāma and Krishna. It has been foretold that my death will come at their hands.” Kaṃsa ordered, “You two must kill them here in a wrestling match. Prepare platforms surrounded by the arena, so that all the citizens and villagers may witness the combat. Chief minister, bring the elephant Kuvalayāpīḍa to the gate—let him slay my enemies there. Begin the great bow-sacrifice on the fourteenth day, as prescribed, and bring forth pure animals for offering to the Lord of beings.” Having issued these commands, Kaṃsa summoned Akrura, the foremost among the Yadus, took his hand, and spoke with feigned warmth: “O generous lord, please, out of respect, befriend me. Among the Bhojas and Vrishnis, none is more well-wishing than you. Therefore, gentle one, I have taken refuge in you, for you are capable of great deeds—just as Indra, relying on Vishnu, achieved his purpose.” “Go to Nanda’s Vraja, where the two sons of Ānakadundubhi reside. Bring them here at once in this chariot. It is said that my death has been decreed by the gods of Vaikuntha. Bring those two, along with Nanda and the cowherds, together with their gifts. When they arrive, I shall have them killed by the elephant, who is like death itself. If they escape, they will face the wrestlers, fierce as lightning.” “When those two are slain, I will destroy Vasudeva and all who suffer with him. I will wipe out their kin—the Vrishnis, Bhojas, and Dasharhas. I will kill Ugrasena, my aged father who covets the throne, his brother Devaka, and all who oppose me. Then, my friend, the earth will be free of thorns. Jarasandha is my mentor, Dvivida my dear companion, and Shambara, Naraka, and Bana are my steadfast allies. With them, I will destroy the kings allied with the gods and enjoy the earth’s sovereignty.” “Knowing all this, quickly bring Rama and Krishna, who delight in play, to witness the bow-sacrifice and behold the splendor of the Yadu city.” Akrura replied with humility, “O King, your command is proper, and the removal of your enemies is your duty. Yet, success and failure are governed by destiny, for destiny alone determines results. People strive for their desires, even against fate, and are subject to both joy and sorrow. Nevertheless, I will fulfill your order.” Thus instructing Akrura and dismissing his ministers, Kaṃsa entered his palace, and Akrura returned to his own home. Meanwhile, Kaṃsa dispatched the dreadful demon Keśī. This mighty horse, swift as thought, thundered across the earth, his hooves shaking the ground, his mane tossing and his neighing so ferocious that the very sky trembled and all creatures were terrified. With monstrous eyes, a vast gaping mouth, a thick neck, and a form as dark as a raincloud, Keśī, filled with malice and eager to serve Kaṃsa, entered Nanda’s Vraja, making the entire land quake. His neighing and the swirling clouds from his tail struck terror in Krishna’s own cowherd village. But Krishna, the leader of the cowherds, called out to him, his voice resounding like a lion’s roar. As Krishna performed a sacrifice, Keśī, wild with rage, rushed forward, as if to swallow the very sky, and struck at the lotus-eyed Lord with his terrible hooves. But Krishna, the Unmanifest Lord, feigned anger and cunningly seized the demon with both arms. Whirling Keśī by the legs, he hurled him contemptuously a hundred bows’ length away, just as Garuda would cast aside a serpent. Regaining his senses, Keśī rose again, even more furious, and charged at Hari with his mouth wide open. Smiling, Krishna thrust his arm into the demon’s jaws, as a serpent slips into its hole. As Krishna’s arm touched Keśī’s teeth, they shattered like heated iron. Then the Lord’s arm began to expand within the demon’s body, growing like an iron rod. Keśī’s breath was cut off, his limbs thrashed, sweat poured from his body, and his eyes rolled in agony. At last, vomiting blood, he collapsed to the ground, lifeless. From the demon’s body, which now lay like a withered fruit, Krishna calmly withdrew his arm. Unastonished and without pride at this effortless victory, the Lord was honored by the gods, who showered him with flowers. At that moment, the foremost of devotees, the divine sage Nārada, approached Krishna and spoke a secret, praising him: “Krishna, Krishna! O unfathomable Self, Lord of yoga, Lord of the universe, Vāsudeva, abode of all, foremost of the Sātvatas, O Master! You are the Self of all beings, the one light among the wise, hidden in the cave of the heart, the witness, the Great Person, the Supreme Lord.” Thus, Krishna’s wondrous deeds continued to inspire awe in gods and sages alike.