Kaṃsa, gripped by fear and rage, seized a sharp sword, determined to kill Vasudeva. But the sage Nārada intervened, revealing a terrifying truth: the two sons born to Vasudeva were destined to be Kaṃsa’s own destruction. Shaken by this revelation, Kaṃsa abandoned his murderous intent, instead binding Vasudeva and Devakī in iron chains. After Nārada departed, Kaṃsa summoned the demon Keśin and addressed him with urgency. “Go,” Kaṃsa commanded, “kill Rāma and Keśava. After you, send Muṣṭika, Cāṇūra, Śala, Tośala, and the others.” He then gathered his ministers and elephant-keepers, introducing them to the mighty wrestlers, Cāṇūra and Muṣṭika. Kaṃsa explained, “In Nanda’s cowherd village dwell the two sons of Ānakadundubhi, Rāma and Krishna. It has been foretold that my death will come at their hands.” He instructed the wrestlers, “You must slay them here in a wrestling match. Prepare platforms around the arena so that all the citizens and country folk may witness the combat.” Turning to his chief minister, Kaṃsa ordered, “Bring the elephant Kuvalayāpīḍa to the gate—let him kill my enemies there.” He also decreed, “Let the bow-sacrifice be commenced on the fourteenth day, according to prescribed rites. Bring pure animals for offering to the Lord of beings, the bestower of blessings.” Having given these instructions, Kaṃsa summoned Akrura, the foremost among the Yadus, took his hand, and spoke with feigned warmth. “O generous lord, please, out of respect, establish friendship with 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 accomplishing important tasks, just as Indra, relying on Vishnu, attained his purpose.” He continued, “Go to Nanda’s Vraja, where the two sons of Ānakadundubhi reside. Bring them here at once in this chariot, along with the cowherds led by Nanda and their gifts. It is said that my death has been sent by the gods of Vaikuntha. When they arrive, I will have them killed by the elephant at the gate; if they escape, then the wrestlers, fierce as lightning, will slay them. Once they are dead, I will destroy Vasudeva and all who are tormented, slaying 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 oppose me. Then, my friend, the earth will be free of thorns. Jarasandha is my mentor, Dvivida my dear companion and friend. Shambara, Naraka, and Bana are devoted to me; with them, I will destroy the kings allied with the gods and enjoy the earth. Knowing all this, quickly bring Rāma and Krishna, who delight in play, to witness the bow-sacrifice and see the splendor of the Yadu city.” Akrura replied with calm wisdom, “O King, your command is proper, and the removal of your enemies is your duty. Yet success or failure depends on destiny, for destiny alone causes results. People strive for their desires, even when hindered by fate; they are subject to both joy and sorrow. Nevertheless, I will carry out your order.” Thus, having instructed Akrura and dismissed his ministers, Kaṃsa entered his palace, and Akrura returned to his own house. Meanwhile, Kaṃsa sent forth Keśin, a mighty horse-demon as swift as the mind. Keśin trampled the earth with his hooves, shaking the sky with his wild mane and terrifying neigh. His monstrous form—wide eyes, huge mouth, thick neck, and dark as a raincloud—radiated evil intent as he entered Nanda’s Vraja, making it tremble. Keśin’s fierce neighing and the clouds tossed by his tail frightened Krishna’s cowherd village. But Krishna, leader of the cowherds, called out to him, roaring like a lion. As Krishna performed a sacrifice, Keśin, enraged, rushed forward as if to swallow the sky, striking the lotus-eyed Lord with his feet, his speed fierce and unbearable. The Unmanifest Lord, deceiving the demon in wrath, seized him with both arms, whirled him by the legs, and contemptuously threw him aside, a hundred bows’ length, just as Garuda would toss a serpent. Regaining consciousness, Keśin rose again in fury and charged at Hari with open mouth. Smiling, Hari thrust his arm into the demon’s jaws, as a serpent enters its hole. As Krishna’s arm touched Keśin’s teeth, they shattered like heated iron. The Lord’s arm, entering the demon’s body, expanded like a bar of iron, filling him completely. With Krishna’s arm swelling inside him, Keśin’s breath was blocked; his limbs flailed, his body drenched in sweat, eyes rolling. Vomiting blood, the demon collapsed lifeless to the ground. Krishna withdrew his arm from Keśin’s body, which resembled a crab-apple fruit. Unastonished and unboastful at his effortless victory, Krishna was honored by the gods, who showered him with flowers. At that moment, the divine sage arrived, the foremost of devotees, and spoke a secret to Krishna, whose actions are ever pure: “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 Lord. By your own Self, you are your own refuge. In the beginning, by your māyā, you created the guṇas; with them, O Lord of true resolve, you create, maintain, and dissolve this world. Therefore, you have descended for the destruction of earth’s burdens—demons, tormentors, and Rākṣasas—and for the protection of the virtuous.” The sage continued, “By good fortune, this demon in the form of a horse has been slain by you in sport, whose neighing terrified the gods, causing even the sleepless ones to abandon heaven. Tomorrow or the day after, O Lord, I shall witness you slay Cāṇūra, Muṣṭika, other wrestlers, the elephant, and Kaṃsa. After that, the defeat of Śaṅkha, Yavana, Murā, Naraka, the theft of the Pārijāta tree, and Indra’s defeat. Your marriages to heroic maidens, won by feats of valor and other qualities, and the liberation of King Nṛga from his curse in Dvārakā, O Lord of the world.” Thus, the stage was set for the unfolding of Krishna’s divine exploits, the destruction of evil, and the protection of the virtuous, as foretold by sages and witnessed by gods.