82 - Kesin is slain

Vyāsa said: 

1-4. When Arista was killed thus, when Dhenuka had been struck down, when Pralamba had been slain, when the mountain Govardhana was held up, when the serpent Käliya had been suppressed, when the two lofty trees had been broken, when Pūtana was killed and when the cart had been overturned, Närada narrated everything to Kaṁsa in the manner it had happened. He narrated the exchange of children between Yaśoda and Devaki and all other details in full. On hearing these details from Närada of divine vision, the wicked Kamsa became furious with Vasudeva. 

5. Due to his excessive wrath he taunted everyone in the assembly of Yadavas, le rebuked Yadavas and thought of what should be done next. 

6. "Bala and Krishna are small boys (now). Before they grow stronger they should be killed by me. Once they attain youth they cannot be checked from their evil activities. . 

7. Here I have Chāņūra of great prowess and Muşţika of great strength. I shall get those two haughty boys killed through these two in a wrestling bout. 

8. Under the pretext of a great sacrifice in the name of Dhanurmaha (festival of bows) I shall fetch them here from the cowherds' colony. I shall do those things strenuously that will reduce their power and destroy them.

Vyasa said: 

9. After thinking like this, the wicked Kamsa decided to kill Balarāma and Krişhņa. Accordingly he said to the Valorous Akrūra. 

Kansa said: 

10. O lord of charitable gifts, may the following task be carried out at my instance for my pleasure. Drive in a chariot from here and go to the cowherds' colony of Nanda. 

11. Thcrc, two sons of Vasudeva are born from the parts of Vişhnu. They are born for my destruction. The wicked ones are flourishing day by day. 

12. The great sacrifice the festival of bows will take place on the fourteenth day of the lunar fortnight. They should be brought by you there for taking part in the wrestling bout. 

13. My wrestlers Chāņūra and Mustika are experts in duels. Let the people see duel between the two combatants. 

14. Then there is the elephant Kuvalayāpida. Prompted by its mahout the elephant will kill the wicked boys the sons of Vasudeva. 

15. After killing them I shall kill the wicked Vasudeva and Nanda too. I shall kill my father Ugrasena as well. 

16. Thereafter, I shall seize the cattle-wealth of the cowherds. I shall confiscate the wealth of all those wicked ones who are desirous of killing me. 

17. O lord of charitable gifts, excepting you all these Yadavas are wicked in my opinion. I shall endeavour to kill them also one by one. 

18. Thereafter, I shall make this kingdom devoid of Yadavas. As it is rid of all thorns I shall rule it through you. Hence, O heroic one, go for my love. 

19. You should speak to them in such a manner as to make the cowherds bring as present unto me ghee and curds the products of buffalo's milk. 

Vyāsa said: 

20-21. O brahmins, thus commanded, Akrūra the great devotee of the lord became delighted because he could see Krishna the next day. Saying 'So be it' he (Akrūra) who was fond of seeing Krishna got into a chariot and hurried out of the city of Mathura. 

Vyāsa said: 

22. Kesin who too was urged by Kamsa as his powerful messenger came to Vrundāvana desirous of killing Krishna. 

23. He came to the colony of cowherds. With his hoofs he dug up pits on the ground. When he waved his manes he shook and scattered the clouds. He traversed through the aerial path of the moon and the sun. 

24. Frightened by the neighing sound of the asura in the form of a horse the cowherds and cowherdesses sought refuge in Krishna. 

25. On hearing their words—"Save us, O save us", Krishna spoke in a loud tone like the rumbling sound of the rain-bearing cloud. 

Krishna said: 

26. O cowherds, do not be afraid. You belong to the clan of cowherds, why are you so afraid of Kesin? Why are you losing courage and prowess befitting the heroes? 

27. This wicked horse has only very little strength. He is making a proud display of the loud neighing sound. He is only an ordinary messenger in the army of asuras. He is vaunting and galloping-Of what avail is this? 

28. O wicked one, come. come. I am Krişhņa. Just as the Pināka-bearing lord knocked off the teeth of Pūsan, so also I shall knock off the teeth from your mouth.

Vyāsa said: 

29. After saying thus, Krishna stood face to face with Kesin, the asura too rushed at him with a wide open mouth. 

30. Then Krishna enlarged his arm and thrust it into the mouth of the wicked horse, Kesin. 

31. His teeth were knocked off by the arm of Krişhņa that was thrust into the mouth of Kesin. They looked like the bits of white clouds. 

32. O brahmins, Krishna's arm that went into the body of Kesin became the cause of his destruction like the ailment that is neglected in the early stages by trustworthy persons (attendants, relatives or oneself). 

33. His lips were torn off. The corners of the mouth were made gapingly wide. He vomited frothful blood. The tendons were loosened and untied. 

34. Stretching his legs he fell on the ground and discharged dung and urine in plenty. His body was drenched in sweat. He became exhausted and ultimately ceased to struggle for life. 

35. With his mouth torn apart by the arm of Krishna, that extremely terrible Asura fell down like a tree that is severed into two by the lightning stroke. 

36. The two halves of the dead horse Kesin, each having two legs, one ear, onc eye, one nostril and a moiety of the back and the tail shone remarkably. 

37. After killing Kesin, Krişhņa was surrounded by the joyous cowherds. His body had no sign of strain. Hale and hearty he stood there laughing. 

38. When Kesin was killed, the cowherds and the cowher- desses were surprised. They eulogised the lotus-eyed lord in charming words indicative of their love. 

39. The sage Nárada hurriedly came there seated on a cloud. On seeing Kesin killed his mind was extremely delighted. 

Nārada said: 

40. Well done. Well done, O lord of the universe, O Achyuta! Kesin, the tormentor of heaven-dwellers, has been killed by you playfully. 

41. (?) You were eager to bring about his death in this battle between a man and a horse. Killed by you here that wicked asura has gone to heaven. 

42. O slayer of Madhu, good rites have been performed by you in this incarnation that caused surprise in me (?) But by virtue of this action, my mind is delighted and satisfied. 

43. O Krishna, Devas and Indra had been afraid of this horse that used to shake off his manes, neigh (loudly) and see the clouds high up in the sky. 

44. O Krişhņa, since this wicked Kesin was killed by you, you will become worthy of being sung about in the world by the name of Keśava. 

45. Hail to you. I shall go now. O slayer of Kesin, day after tomorrow I shall mcct you once again in the course of battle with Kamsa. 

46. When Kamsa, the son of Ugrasena, is struck down along with his followers, O supporter of the Earth, you will remove the burden of the Earth. 

47. O Krishna, I shall be there witnessing matches, old duels as told by you. 

48. I shall now go, O Krişhņa, great task of Devas has been accomplished by you. I have been honoured by you. Hail to you. I shall go now. 

Vyasa said: 

49. When Närada had gone, Krishna who was not dismayed entered the cowherd's colony as the sole receptacle of beverage to be drunk by the eyes of the cowherd lasses.