Akrura Arrived in Vrindavan

"Narayan, Narayan."

Kansa, king of the Bhojas, looked up as Devarshi Narad entered his court.

"Devarshi Narad, I offer my greetings. Devarshi, please take a seat."

Narad sat calmly.

"How are you? Is everything well, King Kansa of the Bhojas?"

Kansa gave a hard smile. "You surely know that my relation with the gods is very bad. So I was a little surprised to see a stale resident of heaven here. You know that gods are not welcome in my court, Narad Muni, do you not?"

Narad replied gently, "I know, I know, I know everything, King of the Bhojas. But you do not know the nature of the gods."

"The nature of the gods? What is that like? Let me hear it once."

"The gods have no enemies, King of the Bhojas. They treat everyone equally. Just look, just look here, you yourself have stolen the wealth of the king of the gods, Indra. This throne, this fan, this umbrella, all these belong to King Indra. Is that not so?"

"Certainly," Kansa said. "Your king of the gods could not protect his own wealth. So now these are mine. Have you come to take them back?"

"No, King, no. The king of the gods does not care for such small things. He has no hatred for you. Rather, I have brought news from heaven for your good. Your life and death depend on this news, King Kansa of the Bhojas."

Kansa leaned forward. "I can see that your heaven is very worried about me. So tell me, what is the news of my death? What news have you brought, Narad Muni?"

Narad’s voice became grave. "The day of your destruction is coming nearer, Maharaj Kansa. Do you remember that divine prophecy, King? That prophecy will now come true. Be ready, King of the Bhojas. Your time is near."

"Who? Who is my enemy? Who dares so much? You, you must tell me everything, Devarshi."

"Listen, King. The girl who was born from Devaki’s eighth womb, the one who flew out of your hands, was not Devaki’s child. She was actually Yashoda’s daughter."

Kansa stared at him. "Are you saying this, Devarshi? How would Yashoda’s child come here?"

"In the same way that Devaki’s son went to Yashoda."

"What are you saying? Did some son of Devaki go to Yashoda?"

"Not one son, Kansa. Not one son. Do you know that two sons of Devaki grew up in Nanda’s house in Gokul? One is known to all as Nanda’s son Krishna. And the other is Rohini’s son Balaram."

"Impossible. Impossible. This cannot be. After all my guards, all my watchfulness, crossing all that..."

Narad said, "That girl of Yashoda was Yogamaya. She herself moved Devaki’s seventh child into Rohini. From that womb Balaram was born. And out of fear of you, Vasudev himself left his eighth child beside Yashoda in Nanda’s house. And, and that boy’s name is Krishna."

Kansa’s face changed with shock and rage. "What are you saying, Devarshi?"

"All this truly happened. I do not lie, King. That Krishna and Balaram together have destroyed all your followers. They killed Putana, Trinavarta, and Shakatasura. They are your doom, King. They are your doom. Match this with the prophecy."

At once Kansa sprang up in fury. "Such great boldness from Vasudev! He has plotted against Kansa. I believed him to be truthful. This is how he has repaid me. With this very sword I will cut off his head. Charioteer, bring my chariot."

Narad raised a hand. "Wait, King, wait. So much anger is not good. In anger, a man loses his wisdom. If you kill Vasudev now, then all of Vrindavan will attack you, Kansa. You do not know the strength of Krishna and Balaram. The others of Vrindavan will also join them then."

"Should I fear those two little boys? That is your mistake, Devarshi."

"It is also your mistake to think they are little, King of the Bhojas. Have you forgotten the strength of Putana and Trinavarta? If they could kill them, do you think you will survive? Besides, Krishna knows magic. Otherwise how could he do the impossible like this?"

Kansa stopped and thought. Then he said slowly, "You have not spoken wrongly, Devarshi. Krishna must not be given any more chance. If I kill Vasudev, Krishna will get that chance. Vasudev must be kept alive. City guard, city guard!"

A guard came running. "Command me, Maharaj."

"Bring here at once that son of Shurasena, Vasudev, and my sister Devaki, and imprison them. Let them rot in prison. Let them not see the light of day."

"As you command, Maharaj."

Kansa’s eyes burned with cruelty. "In front of them I will cut their son into pieces and float him away in the Yamuna."

Narad rose. "Narayan, Narayan. My work is done, King of the Bhojas. I will now return to heaven. You, you stay careful. All right?"

King Parikshit listened carefully and then asked, "One thing I do not understand, Lord. Kansa did not know about Krishna and Balaram. Then why did Devarshi Narad go and tell him all this?"

Shukadeva Goswami replied, "The time is coming near, King. The work of destruction must be arranged. That is why all this is being done. If no call comes from Mathura, then how will Krishna and Balaram go there?"

Parikshit said, "Then Lord, did Kansa send for them now?"

Before doing anything else, Kansa called for a terrible demon named Keshi. Keshi was much stronger than the other demons. Even the gods trembled in fear of Keshi. When Kansa had gone to conquer heaven, he had taken this demon Keshi with him. Now, seeing no other way, he called him again. But no one in Kansa’s court knew this. The king secretly called Keshi into his own chamber.

"King Kansa of the Bhojas, accept the greetings of the demon Keshi."

Kansa said, "Maharaj Kansa, come, Keshi. I have fallen into great danger. Save me from this danger."

Keshi looked around and said, "Everything in Mathura seems well, Maharaj. I do not see any sign of danger anywhere. Then what danger troubles you?"

"Listen, Keshi. A great disaster will fall upon Mathura. Devarshi Narad himself came and said so. But, but before that I must destroy my enemies. That is why I have called you."

"Give the order, Lord. I will remove all your troubles at once."

"Go to Vrindavan, Keshi. Kill Krishna and Balaram. But go very carefully. I have heard that they know magic."

Keshi laughed proudly. "No magic will stand before this demon, King. Stay without worry. I will bring both their dead bodies and lay them at your, your feet."

This time Kansa did not let any chance slip away. He knew that Krishna and Balaram could not be destroyed unless he attacked from all sides at once. So as soon as he sent Keshi to Braj, Kansa also called his wrestlers.

Among those wrestlers were many like Sala and Toshala. But two of them were the fiercest. Their names were Mushtik and Chanur.

When they came before him, Kansa said, "Mushtik and Chanur, there are no warriors stronger than you in this world. Even the gods fear your bravery. Kill my two enemies."

They answered, "Forgive us, Maharaj. Any one of us can lift all the mountains on earth. And yet you have called both of us to kill your enemies?"

"I know this, Mushtik. I have tried many times before to kill them. But every time I failed. So this time I do not want to leave any gap, and that is why I tell both of you to stay ready."

"Who are your enemies, Maharaj?"

"Vasudev’s two sons, Balaram and Krishna. Listen, Chanur, if they do not die in Vrindavan, then I will invite them here to Mathura for a wrestling match. It will go on as a game, but it will be a fight. Everyone will know it as a contest. Build an arena for this, Chanur."

"As you command, Maharaj."

"Make seating so that all the people of the land can see. Build such a hall as no one has ever seen before. Krishna and Balaram will come there to take part in the wrestling contest."

"I begin the work at once as you command, Maharaj."

Then Kansa turned to another servant. "Chief keeper of elephants, keep Kuvalayapeed posted at the gate. As soon as Krishna and Balaram arrive there, they must die under that elephant’s feet."

Parikshit asked, "Kuvalayapeed? Who is that, Lord?"

Shukadeva said, "He looked like a huge mountain. And what shall I say of his strength, King? He had the power to crush and destroy a whole kingdom by himself. No man or beast was ever born who did not fear him. Kansa had a large group to take care of him. That elephant was his last hope."

Parikshit asked again, "Then, Lord, did no one in Vrindavan learn of this plot in Mathura? The gopis came from there to the markets of Mathura for trade, did they not?"

Shukadeva answered, "This time Kansa left no weakness in his plot. He made the plan for the death of Krishna and Balaram inside his own court, with only his closest followers. But he did not allow even a hint of it to spread outside. Even after locking up Vasudev and Devaki, the common people of Mathura did not understand Kansa’s crookedness, King. To keep the trust of the Yadav clan, Kansa took one step."

"What did he do?"

"Akrur was the most trusted among the Yadavas. He was related to Kansa as a brother. Akrur’s goodness had made him dear to the whole Yadav clan. And Kansa knew this. So he called Akrur. But Kansa hid nothing from Akrur."

Akrur came and bowed. "Maharaj, have you called for me? Give your order, King."

Kansa said in a sweet voice, "Akrur, Akrur, in this world I can depend only on you. Just as Vishnu in heaven depends on Indra to do his work, I depend only on you. Akrur, you must do one task for me."

"Give the order, King. I live under your shelter."

"Listen, Akrur, go to Vrindavan. There are the two sons of King Nanda, Balaram and Krishna. I have heard that they are the cause of my death. Bring these two boys here in this chariot. They are still very young. I will have Mushtik, Chanur, or Kuvalayapeed kill them. Go there with the invitation for the bow sacrifice of Mathura."

Akrur asked, "Will your father Ugrasen accept this killing?"

Kansa replied bitterly, "My father, even in old age, could not give up his hold on the kingdom. He still dreams of the throne. And his brother Devak, Devaki’s father. Day and night the two of them keep plotting against me. I will kill them both, Akrur."

"And the people of the kingdom? Will they stay with you, Maharaj?"

"Listen, Akrur, as long as my father-in-law Jarasandha, king of Magadha, lives on earth, I, I fear no one. The monkey king Dvivida is my dear friend. Shambarasur and Narakasur are also my helpers. Before the combined strength of all of them, no one can harm me. Do not worry, Akrur."

Akrur answered, "No Maharaj, I am not worrying. I am only thinking of fate."

"Fate? I know my fate. None of my enemies will remain alive anywhere. I will enjoy a kingdom free of thorns. I will have peace only after those two boys are killed. Go, Akrur, go quickly. Do not delay."

Akrur bowed and said, "Who can speak of fate, Maharaj? All of it lies in divine hands. Neither you nor I know what the divine will is. Still, I am your servant. I will do what you have ordered. I will bring Krishna and Balaram to Mathura."

Before Akrur could reach Vrindavan, the demon Keshi had already arrived there.

Keshi had taken the form of a terrible horse. His eyes were huge, his mouth was dreadful. He had a long thick neck, wild tangled hair, and a deep dark body. It seemed as if fire burned in his breath. He moved as fast as the mind. And what a terrible roar he had! Hearing his roar, all the living beings of Vrindavan became frightened. Breathing hard again and again, he seemed to be searching for someone.

At the sight of him, the cowherd boys ran to Krishna.

"Kanai, Kanai, Kanai, Kanai, we are in great trouble. Great trouble."

Krishna asked, "What has happened to us, friends? Why are you all so afraid?"

"Come and see, Kanai. A terrible horse has come. We do not know where it came from. It is not a horse, it is like, like a real tiger. O Kanai, our cows and calves do not want to come out. They are all shaking and scattered."

"What is this? Come, let us go and see that horse."

"Come, come. There, there, there, listen, can you hear it, Kanai? That demon is calling."

Krishna said with calm strength, "Do not be afraid. Nothing will happen. I am here. Come, let me see the horse once. Hmm, I understand. This is not really a horse. You were right, friends. This is a demon."

"A demon? What, what will happen, Kanai? Will it kill us? Will it kill us, Kanai? What will happen now?"

"Move away. Nothing will happen to you. It is really searching for me."

"What? Why is it looking for you, Kanai? Where has this demon come from?"

"From Mathura. Go, go, move away. I will send it to the house of death right now."

As soon as Keshi saw Krishna, the demon rushed toward Him with terrible speed. Reaching Him, Keshi raised his two back legs and tried to strike hard. Lord Vishnu quickly moved aside. Then He caught both of Keshi’s legs with force, lifted him over His head, spun him around, and threw him far away.

This sudden blow made Keshi lose his senses. After some time, when he came back to himself, he again rushed at Krishna with fierce force. He opened his mouth wide as if to swallow sky and earth together.

Seeing that the hearts of His friends were trembling, Madhav did not let them stay there any longer. As the mighty Keshi came charging at Him, Krishna this time put one of His hands into the mouth of the horse demon. That hand of Shri Hari began to grow bigger and bigger. As it grew, it went deep down the demon’s throat. Then that great hand of Shri Hari got stuck in the demon’s neck like a noose of death. Struggling for breath, the life of the demon Keshi came to an end.

The people of Vrindavan breathed in relief.

After seeing the killing of Keshi, Narad Muni came before Shri Krishna with folded hands.

"O Shri Krishna, O shelter of the world, by your grace the earth is free from fear today, Lord. This terrible demon Keshi was a follower of the wicked Kansa. Who knows how many sins he had done before this. Even so, by your undeserved mercy, Keshi’s bondage to worldly life has been broken. Ah, ah, what great fortune was his."

Krishna said, "I am very pleased by your devotion, Devarshi. Ask a boon from me."

Narad bowed and replied, "O Narayan, what more can I ask from you? Bless me so that I may see you day and night, Lord. Give me that blessing."

"So it shall be, Devarshi. So it shall be."

Narad said again, "After killing Keshi, this world will worship you by the name Keshav, Lord. It will worship you by the name Keshav."

Parikshit said, "Now I understand why another name of Krishna is Keshav, Acharyadev. But did Kansa hear about this end of his most trusted demon, O great sage?"

"Yes, King, he did."

Shukadeva continued, "From Mathura he had sent Vyomasur. Vyomasur had mixed with Krishna’s friends by disguising himself as a cowherd boy. In the middle of play he was trapping the cowherd boys of Vrindavan and locking them in a cave far away. When Krishna heard of it, He Himself rushed at him with great courage. No matter how much Vyomasur tried to stop Him by taking his huge true form, he could do nothing against Krishna’s power. At last that demon lost his life and fell to the ground."

Parikshit asked, "O great sage, had Akrur still not reached Braj by then?"

"No, King. With a fine chariot and the fastest horses, Akrur was waiting for the proper moment. His heart could hardly hold its joy."

"Why, Lord? Why joy? Akrur knew why Kansa was calling Krishna and Balaram to Mathura. Then where did such joy come from?"

Shukadeva smiled. "Yes, King, Akrur knew everything. He also knew that Kansa’s end had come near and that he was himself calling those who would kill him. This is the greatest divine play, King. That is why Akrur’s joy could not be contained. Now the Yadav clan of Mathura would become free from fear. Humanity would return among men. The more Akrur thought of this, the more joy filled him. But there was one more reason why a flood of joy rose in Akrur’s heart, King."

"What was that reason, Lord? Please tell me."

"Akrur knew the true identity of Krishna and Balaram. So he was eager to see them. When at last that chance came before him, he could not control himself. He was overcome by tears, joy, and excitement. On the blessed morning when Akrur left Mathura with the chariot, he could hardly see the road through his tears. He was completely overcome with devotion, respect, and love."

As he rode, Akrur thought within himself:

What fortune is mine? How endless is God’s mercy! Will even a worldly man like me get the chance to see the Lord? I will see with my own eyes the one whom even the greatest yogis do not see in meditation! What great fortune have I earned! I, I will bow at the feet that Lakshmi herself serves! And Krishna, this is your undeserved mercy, Lord. Undeserved mercy.

Parikshit said softly, "Ah, a devotee like Akrur is truly very rare, O sage. And yet he is the very one who must do the painful work of bringing Krishna away from Vrindavan."

Shukadeva replied, "This is His divine play, King. This is His divine play. Who but a pure-hearted devotee like Akrur could carry the Lord Himself? It is in his chariot that Krishna and Balaram will come from Vrindavan to Mathura. And there is one more reason too, Parikshit."

"Please tell me, Lord. I am eager to hear."

"Vrindavan is the land of sweetness. Not everyone can enter that land, Parikshit. Even if someone is a devotee, that does not mean he has the right to that sweetness. Akrur had that right. So while Shri Krishna was there, Akrur was able to see Vrindavan. This was the success of his worship through many births. Do you understand, King?"

"Yes, Lord, I understand. Is this not very hard to understand? Unless the mind is tied to a very high truth, who can understand the meaning of this, Lord?"

"Yes, King. To understand the glory of Braj in Krishna’s divine play, hard spiritual practice is needed. That is why Akrur could hardly contain his joy at being able to go to Braj."

As he traveled, Akrur kept thinking what he would do when he met Krishna and Balaram. He noticed nothing else.

The gopis of Braj, the cowherd boys, all of them are the dearest to God. First I will bow to the road where the dust of their feet lies scattered. Surely some great holy soul earned the fortune of becoming a path in that land of Braj. Ah, I did not gain such fortune.

Thinking like this, Akrur went on. In the overflow of joy, his feelings would not stay under control. The horses of the chariot ran on by themselves. Akrur only sat holding the reins. In his mind he kept thinking without pause of Hari.

At that time, a strange humming sound came to his ears. It was like the murmur that rises in a market when buying and selling is going on.

"I have this Krishna with me. You will not find such Krishna anywhere else. Tell me, what price will you give for it?"

"I can give up to three Krishnas for it. Do not ask for more than that, shopkeeper. I do not have more."

"Come to me. My Krishna is better."

"Then I will give it within your three Krishnas."

Akrur wondered in amazement:

Why is everyone saying Krishna, Krishna? From the sound it seems there is a market ahead. But where is Krishna? I do not understand what they are saying. Then is it? Have I reached Vrindavan?

Parikshit said, "How strange! I never heard such a thing before, Lord. Please explain it to me in detail, O great sage. What exactly was happening there?"

Shukadeva answered, "How would you have heard it before, Parikshit? This sound is heard nowhere except Vrindavan. In the markets, fields, riverbanks, and roads of Vrindavan, only Krishna’s name is heard everywhere. Even the merchants cry out 'Krishna, Krishna' while selling their goods. Everything in Vrindavan is called Krishna. Even the coin here is Krishna. Those who come to buy also bargain by saying Krishna’s name."

Driving the chariot a little farther, Akrur saw that when goods were weighed on a scale, the shopkeepers were calling the unit of weight Krishna as well. This made Akrur almost burst with joy, delight, and emotion.

Vrindavan, Vrindavan! I, I have reached Vrindavan! This is holier even than heaven! The gods come down drawn by this soil! And I, I am standing on that soil! Obeisance to you, O Vrindavan, great holy land, great place of pilgrimage. I bow to you.

Now Akrur understood that he had reached that long-desired land of Braj. Eagerly he kept looking down the road. He was searching on the path for the footprints of Shri Hari.

The sun was setting then. The groups of cowherds were returning to Braj with the cows and calves. Dust rose from the feet of the cows and spread in every direction like a covering. Through that covering Akrur kept searching with all his heart for the dust of the Lord’s feet.

Then at last he saw them.

There, there is the mark of the lotus and goad! Those rare footprints! There, there, those marks have gone along the roadside! The feet for which yogis, sages, and seers sit absorbed in deep meditation for ages and ages, there, there, now I have seen the marks of my Lord of Vaikuntha. O Krishna, Krishna!

At the sight of Shri Krishna’s footprints, Akrur’s mind rose to a higher world. He was filled with tears. The roads and paths of Braj disappeared from his sight. Chanting Krishna’s name, Akrur moved toward the house of King Nanda.

Parikshit asked, "O great sage, where did Akrur meet Krishna and Balaram?"

Shukadeva said, "Near that house. The cowherds were carrying freshly milked milk. And a little distance away, Krishna and Balaram were standing and looking that way. Krishna wore yellow cloth. Balaram wore blue cloth. On the bright faces of the two boys were dots of sandal paste. Forest flower garlands swayed on their bodies. Endless mercy seemed to flow from their smiles. Both of them looked wonderfully beautiful. Akrur felt as if the two brothers had been standing there waiting for him."

The moment he saw Them, Akrur jumped down from the chariot. He ran like an arrow toward Krishna and Balaram. Then he fell rolling in the dust of the road. In the dust of Vrindavan, all his royal dress and ornaments lost their brightness. He was washed in tears.

"O supreme cause of the world, O Narayan, O endless Lord, I bow to you. I bow to you."

Krishna said with deep affection, "Great-minded Akrur, welcome to Vrindavan. Your wishes are fulfilled. All your austerities have borne fruit. We are very happy to see you. Rise, Akrur. By serving you, We two brothers will be blessed. Come, come, Akrur. Come to Our home."

In tears and deep feeling, Akrur could not speak another word. Krishna and Balaram then placed Their lotus hands on his head. After that, the two brothers held his two hands and led him toward Nanda’s house.

At Their touch, Akrur’s body thrilled with joy. His birth had become meaningful. Now Akrur walked on the path shown by the Lord Himself.