The cowherd women, who were ever blessed to gaze upon Krishna’s smiling, glancing face, found that all the hardships and fatigue of their lives melted away in joy. Among the people, it was spoken that Krishna, the illustrious scion of the Yadu dynasty—already famed throughout the land—would bring prosperity, renown, and greatness to his lineage, protecting it with his presence. Beside Krishna stood his elder brother, the glorious Rama, whose lotus eyes shone brightly. It was he who had slain Pralamba, Vatsaka, Baka, and others, displaying his valor time and again. As the crowd murmured among themselves and the sounds of musical instruments filled the air, the wrestler Chanura stepped forward and addressed Krishna and Rama. “O sons of Nanda, O Rama,” Chanura declared, “you two are known as heroes, skilled in wrestling, and have been summoned by the king, who eagerly wishes to witness your prowess. When the king’s desires are fulfilled, the welfare of the people follows—by thought, word, and deed. The opposite brings misfortune.” The cowherds and herders, always joyful, would openly wrestle in the forests while tending their cows, delighting in such games. “Therefore, friends,” Chanura continued, “let us do what pleases the king. When the king, who embodies all beings, is satisfied, all creatures are pleased with us.” Upon hearing this, Krishna responded with words fitting the moment, welcoming the wrestling challenge, which he himself desired. “We, subjects of King Bhoja, and we forest-dwellers as well, will always act to please him; that is our greatest favor. We are but boys and will play with those of equal strength, as is proper. Let the match be fair, so the assembly of wrestlers will not find fault with us.” Chanura replied, “You are neither a child nor a youth—you are foremost among the strong. By your play, you slew the mighty elephant, whose strength equaled a thousand. Therefore, you two must wrestle with the strongest; there is no evasion. Let Mushtika contend with Balarama, and let me, O descendant of Vrishni, match strength with you.” Thus concludes the forty-third chapter, “The Slaying of Kuvalayapida,” in the first half of the tenth book of the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam, the great Purāṇa, scripture for the paramahamsas. Śuka continued: With his resolve honored, the Lord Madhusudana, along with the son of Rohini, approached Chanura and Mushtika. They locked hands and feet, dragging each other forcefully, each eager for victory. They struck one another with fists, knees, and heads, and with their chests and shoulders. Their contest was filled with circling, feints, embraces, throws, advances, and retreats, as they continually countered each other. By lifting, raising, shaking, and holding, each sought to overpower the other, exerting their full strength. Observing this fierce contest, all the women assembled there, O King, spoke to one another with compassion, gathering in groups. “Alas, what injustice is this in the king’s assembly, that such a contest of strength and weakness is desired before the king, as he watches! How can these wrestlers, with bodies hard as thunderbolts and resembling mountain peaks, be matched against these two youths, so delicate and not yet fully grown? Surely, this assembly will suffer a breach of righteousness, for where unrighteousness arises, one should never remain. A wise person should not enter an assembly, remembering the faults of its members; whether he speaks or remains silent, an ignorant man incurs sin.” “Look at Krishna’s lotus-like face, covered with sweat from exertion as he faces his enemy, like a lotus bud moistened with water. Why do you not see Rama’s face, with copper-red eyes, adorned with a smile and the flush of anger, shining as he confronts Mushtika? Blessed indeed are the lands of Vraja, where this ancient Person, concealed in human form and adorned with garlands of forest flowers, tends the cows with Balarama, playing his flute, his feet worshipped by the beloved of the mountain lord, and delights in various pastimes.” “What austerities did the cowherd women perform, that they could see his form—the very essence of beauty, peerless and unique, ever fresh at every moment, difficult to attain, the sole abode of fame, fortune, and majesty—drinking it in with their eyes? Fortunate are the women of Vraja, whose minds are devoted to the mighty Lord, who, with voices choked by tears, sing of him while milking cows, gathering dung, churning, smearing floors, swinging their children, or sweeping—whatever their work. Morning and evening, as he leaves for the pastures or returns with the cows, playing his flute, the blessed young women quickly come out onto the path to see his smiling face and compassionate glances.” As the women thus spoke, O best of the Bhāratas, the Lord, master of yoga, Hari, resolved in his mind to slay his enemy. Hearing the fearful words of the women, Krishna and Rama’s parents, distressed by affection and grief, suffered greatly for the sake of their two sons, unaware of their true strength. With all the various techniques of wrestling, Acyuta and his opponent fought fiercely, just as Bala and Mushtika did. Struck by the blows of the Lord’s limbs, harsh as the grinding of thunderbolts, Chanura’s body was battered again and again, and he became exhausted. Then, with the speed of a hawk, Chanura leapt up, clenched both his fists, and angrily struck Vasudeva, the Lord, on the chest. Krishna did not move at that blow, like an elephant struck by a garland. Seizing Chanura by the arms, Hari spun him around many times and dashed him violently to the ground. Chanura’s life was nearly gone; his hair and garland scattered, he fell like Indra’s banner collapsing. In the same way, Mushtika was first struck forcefully by the mighty Balabhadra’s fist, and then severely hit with his palm. Mushtika trembled, blood pouring from his mouth, tormented; his life departed, and he collapsed on the ground like a tree felled by the wind. Then Rama, best among fighters, effortlessly slew Kuta, who had approached, with a contemptuous blow of his left fist, O King. Thus unfolded the glorious contest, witnessed by all, as Krishna and Rama demonstrated their divine strength and fulfilled the king’s summons, while the hearts of the people overflowed with awe, compassion, and devotion.