Śrī Parāśara spoke: Having weighed his options, the wicked-hearted Kaṃsa resolved to rid himself of the threat posed by Rāma and Janārdana. He summoned Akrūra, the valiant Yadu, and instructed him to carry out his dark intentions. Kaṃsa addressed Akrūra, saying, “O lord of gifts, do as I command to please me: mount your chariot and go to Nanda’s Gokula. There dwell the two sons of Vasudeva, born from a portion of Viṣṇu. Though still young, they are destined to destroy me, even as I deem them wicked. My grand bow festival will be held here on the fourteenth day; go and bring them to Mathura for a wrestling match. “My wrestlers, Cāṇūra and Muṣṭika, skilled in combat, will face them, and the whole world shall witness their contest. The mighty elephant Kuvalayāpīḍa, driven by my chief mahout, will trample those two sinful sons of Vasudeva, though they are but children. Afterward, I will slay Vasudeva and the wicked Nanda Gopa, and even my own father, Ugrasena, whom I consider most evil-minded. Then, I will seize all the cattle and wealth of the cowherds, for they are hostile and seek my destruction. Except for you, O lord of gifts, all these Yadavas are my enemies; I will destroy them one by one. In this way, I will establish the entire Yadava kingdom free from thorns. So, 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 to Mathura.” Thus commanded, Akrūra, a great devotee and twice-born, felt immense joy, for he would soon behold Krishna. He replied, “So be it,” to the king, then mounted his splendid chariot and departed from the city of Mathura, beloved of Madhu. Meanwhile, Kaṃsa sent forth Keśī, a mighty demon-horse, as his messenger, desiring Krishna’s death. Keśī thundered into Vrindavan, his hooves wounding the earth, his tail scattering clouds, and he charged along the paths traversed by the sun and moon, terrifying the cowherds. At the sound of Keśī’s fierce neighing, the cowherds, the demon-horse’s grooms, and the frightened women all fled in fear, seeking refuge in Govinda. Their cries of “Save us, save us!” reached Krishna, who spoke with a voice deep as thunderclouds. “Enough of fear, cowherds! Why do you tremble before 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 forth, wicked one! I am Krishna, and like the Pinaka-wielder for Pūṣan, I will strike down all your teeth from your mouth.” Having spoken, Govinda clapped his hands and advanced toward Keśī. The demon-horse, mouth wide open, rushed at him. Janardana, making his arm serpent-like, inserted it into Keśī’s gaping maw. As Krishna’s arm entered, Keśī’s teeth shattered and fell, like fragments of white clouds. Krishna’s arm grew ever stronger within Keśī’s body, just as a disease worsens when neglected. Keśī’s lips split open; he vomited blood mixed with foam. His eyes rolled, his jaws gaped wide, and struck down, he released dung and urine upon the ground. His body drenched in sweat, subdued and exhausted, Keśī became powerless. With his mouth and great cavity agape, he was struck down by Krishna’s arm and fell split in two upon the earth, like a tree struck by lightning. Of the horse, with its two legs, half its back and tail, one ear, eye, and nostril, when split in two, the two halves shone forth. Having slain Keśī, Krishna stood surrounded by joyful cowherds, his body unwearied and his mind at peace, smiling. The cowherd women and men, astonished at Keśī’s death, praised the lotus-eyed Krishna, delighted by his affection. At that moment, I, Narada, hidden and standing in the clouds, witnessed Keśī’s destruction and my heart was filled with joy. I praised him: “Well done, well done, Lord of the world! By your play alone, O Achyuta, you have slain Keśī, who brought suffering even to the gods. Eager for battle, I came from heaven to witness this great, unprecedented contest of men and horses. The deeds you have performed in this descent, O slayer of Madhu, fill my mind with wonder and satisfaction. Even Indra and the gods feared this horse, O Krishna, as he shook his mane and neighed, gazing up at the clouds. Because you have slain this wicked Keśī, O Janardana, you will be renowned in the world by the name ‘Kesava.’ “May all be well with you; I shall go now, and will return again at the battle with Kaṃsa. Tomorrow I will come to you, O slayer of Keśī. When Kaṃsa, son of Ugrasena, is slain along with his followers, you, upholder of the earth, will relieve the burden of the world. There, many kinds of battles, wondrous to behold, will be led by you, O Janardana, and I must witness them. So now I go, O Govinda; a great task for the gods has been accomplished. All is known to you; may good fortune be yours, I take my leave.” Thus, the stage was set for the coming events, as Krishna’s fame spread, and the hearts of the cowherds overflowed with gratitude and awe.