Vishnu Purana

A fierce and cruel demon, relentless in his hatred of ascetics, roamed the forests, laying waste to them wherever he went. One day, the cowherds and their wives caught sight of this terrifying being, his ferocity overwhelming them with fear. In their desperation, they cried out, “Krishna! Krishna!” seeking the protection of their beloved Lord. Hearing their cries, Keśava, the divine Krishna, let out a mighty lion’s roar and struck his palm, the sound echoing through the woods. Drawn by this challenge, Ariṣṭa, the bull demon, approached Dāmodara, his horn lowered and gaze fixed menacingly on Krishna’s belly. With wicked intent, Ariṣṭa charged at Krishna, but the mighty hero stood his ground, smiling with disdain, unmoved by the demon’s approach. As Ariṣṭa drew near, Madhusudana seized him like one would seize an attacker. He struck the demon’s belly with his knee and gripped his horn tightly. Breaking Ariṣṭa’s pride and strength, Krishna held his horns and squeezed the demon’s neck as if wringing a wet cloth. Then, tearing out one of Ariṣṭa’s horns, Krishna struck him with it, and the great demon fell, vomiting blood from his mouth, his life extinguished. With the demon slain, the cowherds praised Janardana, just as the hosts of gods had once praised Indra when Jambha was destroyed. Śrī Parāśara continued: When Kakudmat was killed, Ariṣṭa was slain, Dhenuka was cast down, Pralamba was brought to his end, and Govardhana Hill was upheld; when the serpent Kāliya was subdued, the arrogant Tungadruma was broken, Pūtanā was killed, and the cart was overturned—Nārada went to Kaṃsa and told him, in order, all that had happened, beginning with the transfer of the embryo from Devakī to Yaśodā. Hearing all these deeds from Nārada, who had come from the gods, wicked-minded Kaṃsa was seized by rage against Vasudeva. In his anger, he rebuked all the Yādavas assembled, censured their clan, and pondered what should be done. He resolved, “Before Rāma and Kṛṣṇa, still boys, grow strong and reach full youth, they must be killed by me, for once they are grown, they will be invincible.” Kaṃsa devised a plan: “Cāṇūra, of great might, and Muṣṭika, of immense strength—by arranging a wrestling match with these two, I shall have those evil-minded boys killed. By inviting them from Vraja under the pretext of the great bow festival, I will make every effort so that they will meet their end. I will send Śvaphalka’s valiant son Akrūra, foremost among the Yadus, to Gokula to bring the two boys here. I will also send the fierce Keśin, who roams in Vṛndāvana; with his great strength, he will kill both of them. The elephant Kuvalayāpīḍa, driven by my chief mahout, will kill those two sons of Vasudeva, the cowherd boys, when they come here.” Śrī Parāśara said: Having thus considered, Kaṃsa spoke to Akrūra, the heroic Yadu, to have Rāma and Janārdana killed. Kaṃsa said, “Ho, lord of gifts, do as I say to please me: mount the chariot and go to Nanda’s Gokula. There, the two sons of Vasudeva, born from a portion of Viṣṇu, have grown up, destined to destroy me, though they are wicked. My great bow festival will take place here on the fourteenth day; go and bring them for a wrestling match. Cāṇūra and Muṣṭika, my wrestlers skilled in combat, will fight with them, and let the whole world witness their contest. The elephant Kuvalayāpīḍa, urged on by my chief mahout, will kill those two sinful sons of Vasudeva, still children. After killing Vasudeva and the wicked Nanda Gopa, I will also slay his father, Ugrasena, who is most evil-minded. Then I will seize all the cattle and wealth of the cowherds who are hostile and seek my destruction. Except for you, O lord of gifts, all these Yadavas are my enemies; I will strive to destroy them one by one. At that time, I will establish the entire Yadava kingdom free from thorns; therefore, go forth, O hero, for my pleasure. Just as ghee and curds are brought for the buffalo, so too must you instruct your people to quickly bring the cowherds.” Śrī Parāśara said: Thus commanded, Akrūra, the great devotee and twice-born, became joyful, eager to see Krishna the next day. Having said “so be it” to the king, he mounted his splendid chariot and departed from the city of Mathura, beloved of Madhu. Meanwhile, Keśī, strong in might and sent as Kaṃsa’s messenger, desiring Krishna’s death, entered Vrindavan. His hooves wounded the earth, his tail scattered clouds, and he rushed along the paths of moon and sun, charging at the cowherds. At the sound of his neighing, both the cowherds and the demon-horse’s grooms, as well as the frightened cowherd women, sought refuge in Govinda. Hearing their cries of “Save us, save us!” Govinda, with a voice deep as thunderclouds, spoke: “Enough of fear, cowherds! Why be so afraid of Keśī? Among you, born of cowherds, courage is lost through fear. What is there in this lowly creature, whose neighing only causes alarm, this demon-powered, wicked horse leaping about? Come, come, wicked one! I am Krishna, like Pinaka-wielder for Pūṣan; I will strike down all your teeth from your mouth.