Chapter 1: The Enchantment of Love

The air was filled with an ancient melody as Mirchi presented a special tale from the Times of Ancient Mathura. The streets whispered of the bravery and wisdom of Krishna, the divine hero who had vanquished his own uncle to protect his people. Yet, Mathura was not at peace. The threat of enemy kings loomed large, and the city was no longer safe.

As the story unfolded, a voice narrated the tale of Jarasandha's attack on Mathura, drawing listeners into the depths of the Srimad Bhagavatam and Garg Samhita, works of the revered Maharishi Ved Vyasa.

In a corner of the world, a curious disciple asked the wise Rishivar, "After being freed from captivity, did Devaki and Vasudev really stand with folded hands before their son? Didn't a mother's heart long to hug her child?"

Rishivar nodded, his eyes twinkling with the light of ages. "Yes, after King Kansa was slain, Devaki and Vasudev were overcome with joy as they faced their son. They stood with folded hands, gazing at his divine face. As Krishna approached them, they bowed repeatedly, unable to contain their reverence."

"But why did they not embrace him?" the disciple pressed, eager to understand the depth of this strange love.

"Krishna, in his wisdom, understood that they were aware of his divine powers. To allow them the joy of simple parental love, he cast a spell of enchantment over them," Rishivar explained.

"What kind of enchantment, Acharyadev?" another voice inquired, leaning forward intently.

"This enchantment, woven by Yogamaya herself, made all his relatives forget Krishna's true form. As a result, Devaki and Vasudev saw Krishna not as a divine being, but as their beloved son," Rishivar continued.

Krishna and his brother Balarama approached their parents, their voices filled with warmth. "Mother, Father, we are your sons. We know you couldn't keep us with you since childhood. You couldn't watch us grow. But now, standing before you, won't you embrace us? Must we be deprived of a parent's love forever?"

With tears in their eyes, Devaki and Vasudev cried out, "My Krishna, my dear Krishna," and they embraced their sons tightly, the enchantment allowing them to feel the simple, boundless love of parents.

Krishna comforted them with gentle words, "I couldn't serve you, Mother. I couldn't do anything good for you. You and Father suffered because of us. Please forgive us."

"Don't say that, my child," they replied. "To have you with us, this much suffering is worth it."

The sage's eyes were wet with tears at the beauty of this reunion. Vasudeva and Devaki had finally found their long-desired treasure. The disciple, still full of questions, asked, "Did Krishna then sit on the throne of Mathura?"

Rishivar shook his head. "Though the Yadava kings wished for Krishna to be their king, he refused. 'That won't do,' he said. 'I don't know anything about ruling a kingdom yet. Besides, if I sit on the throne, it will harm the Yadava dynasty.'"

"But why would it harm the Yadava dynasty, Acharyadev?" the disciple pressed further.

"There was a curse upon the Yadava lineage from King Yayati. It forbade anyone from their line to seize the throne by their own strength," Rishivar explained.

"Then who became king? Surely the throne didn't remain empty," the disciple wondered aloud.

Krishna approached the elderly King Ugrasena, urging him to take the throne. "Maharaja, this throne is yours. We are merely your subjects. Please take charge of this kingdom. Command us."

"But Krishna," Ugrasena protested, "I am old. Moreover, I am also a Yadava. The curse of Yayati applies to me as well."

"No, Maharaja," Krishna reassured him. "Since you did not seize this throne yourself, I am establishing you as king. You will not be at fault. I will personally serve you. Even the gods will bow their heads in respect to you."

And so, with Krishna's blessing, King Ugrasena took his rightful place on the throne of Mathura, with the divine assurance that his reign would be just and honorable.

Chapter 2: The Return and the Quest

King Ugrasena, now comfortably seated on his throne, looked at Krishna with gratitude and resolve. "Very well, I accept your proposal," he declared, his voice filled with newfound authority. "Then, Maharaja, command me. Let us arrange for the return of the devout people who fled in fear of Kamsa to their homes."

King Ugrasena nodded solemnly. "I command you, Krishna. From today, everyone in my kingdom will live equally and safely."

With Krishna's help, almost all the Yadavas who had been displaced by Kamsa's tyranny began returning to their beloved kingdom, their hearts filled with hope and relief.

Meanwhile, curiosity lingered in the air as someone asked, "What happened to King Nanda and the cowherds who came to Mathura, sage?"

Krishna and Balarama, with warmth and affection, sought out King Nanda. Upon meeting him, the two brothers embraced him tightly. Krishna spoke, his voice tender and filled with emotion, "Father, when our own people abandoned us, you and Mother raised us with love, care, and affection. Everything we are today is because of you both. Those who can risk everything for the well-being of their children are the true parents. Yes, Father, no matter where we were born, we consider you our real parents by deed. This knowledge will stay with us forever."

King Nanda, his eyes glistening with pride, responded, "Krishna and Balarama, today is a day of great pride and joy for me. It is no small feat that you have triumphed over injustice."

"Father, let's go home now," Balarama suggested gently.

Krishna added, "Father, please return to Braj with the Gopis."

King Nanda sighed, a mixture of joy and sadness in his heart. "I will go back, and you will be among your people. They are waiting for you. I know, Father, if you return to Braj without me, everyone there will be very sad. It will be very hard to comfort Mother. But I have duties to my relatives and friends here in Mathura. Once I fulfill those duties, I will return to Braj to be with Mother and see everyone."

"But Krishna and Balarama, how can I return to Braj without you? How can I go back?" King Nanda's voice quivered with emotion.

Krishna reassured him, "Don’t cry, Father. If you explain everything to the people of Braj, they will understand."

With a heavy heart and many gifts in hand, King Nanda returned to Braj, leaving Krishna and Balarama to fulfill their duties in Mathura.

Soon after, the brothers underwent their sacred thread ceremony with the great sage Gargacharya. This ceremony marked a significant step, as Lord Krishna, despite being divine, took a vow of celibacy. It was one of his many amazing acts, demonstrating his ability to live among humans as an ordinary person.

Following the ceremony, Krishna and Balarama journeyed to Avanti to the ashram of Sage Sandipani for their education. There, in an astonishing display of brilliance, they completed their studies in just 64 days and nights, mastering 64 different arts. Their teacher marveled at their abilities. "How was that possible, Teacher?" someone asked in amazement.

"Everything is possible, King. For them, everything is possible. Lord Krishna is all-knowing. And Balarama is the perfect example of an ideal person. Like a perfect student, he mastered any skill as soon as it was taught by the teacher," the sage explained.

When their education was complete, it was time to offer Guru Dakshina, a traditional gift for the teacher. Sage Sandipani, aware of Krishna and Balarama's extraordinary powers, consulted with his wife before making his request. "My dear ones," he said, "you know my only son drowned in the ocean at Prabhas Tirtha. If you want to give me Guru Dakshina, bring my son back to us."

Krishna and Balarama nodded, their resolve unshaken. "We will try to bring him back. Please bless us."

"I bless you. May your wish come true," Sage Sandipani replied. "Now, Guruji, please give us your permission. We will leave for Prabhas right away."

"Alright. Go and be victorious," the sage said, his heart filled with hope.

With determination, Krishna and Balarama left their teacher's home and headed straight to Prabhas Kshetra. There, they sat by the sea, their minds focused on their mission. As they waited, the sea god appeared before them, offering his respects to Krishna.

Krishna spoke with authority, "A while ago, you swallowed a boy with your huge waves. That boy is our teacher's son. You must return him right away."

The sea god replied respectfully, "Oh Supreme Soul, I did not swallow any boy. However, there is a demon named Panchajana who lives underwater in the form of a conch shell. He must have taken the boy."

Without hesitation, Krishna dove into the sea, determined to confront the demon and fulfill his promise to his teacher.

Chapter 3: The Call of Devotion

Krishna emerged from the depths of the ocean, victorious but puzzled. He had defeated the demon Panchajana, yet the teacher's son was nowhere to be found. All he had was the conch shell that had formed from the demon's body. Holding it, he returned to his chariot, where Balarama awaited him.

"This conch shell shall be known as Panchajanya," Krishna declared, handing it to Balarama. "But our task is not complete. The teacher's son is still missing."

Determined, Krishna and Balarama set their sights on Yamaloka, the realm of the god of death. As they arrived, Krishna lifted the conch shell to his lips and blew a powerful note. The sound echoed through the realm, commanding attention.

Yama, the god of death, appeared, bowing with great respect. "Oh Lord Vishnu," he greeted reverently, "how may I serve you?"

Krishna spoke with a calm authority. "O King Yama, a teacher's son has come to your realm. I ask you to return him to me, for I wish to offer him back to his parents. You need not judge his deeds; you will not be blamed for this."

"As you wish, Lord," Yama agreed without hesitation.

With the teacher's son safely in their care, Krishna and Balarama returned to Sage Sandipani. Overjoyed, the sage blessed them, allowing them to journey back to Mathura. The people of Mathura welcomed them with open arms, celebrating their return after a long absence.

But what of the people of Braj? Had Krishna forgotten them entirely? It had been ages since they last saw him. Yet, Krishna's plan was far-reaching, and he never forgot those he loved. To reassure them, he sent his trusted minister and dear friend, Uddhava, to Braj.

"Who is Uddhava?" a student asked, eyes wide with curiosity. "Why did Krishna send him instead of going himself?"

The wise teacher explained, "Uddhava was Krishna's minister, a disciple of the sage Brihaspati, and a man of great intelligence. In the court one day, Krishna said to Uddhava, 'My friend, please go to Braj. My parents, King Nanda and Queen Yashoda, are there. Give them my regards. They are very sad because they haven't seen me for a long time. The gopis of Vrindavan are also very upset. Please take my message to them.'"

Uddhava nodded, understanding the importance of the mission. "Don't worry, my friend. I will go to Braj as soon as I can. But please tell me what message I should take to them."

"Tell them," Krishna instructed, "that I haven't forgotten any of them. I haven't left them either. The friends who couldn't leave their homes to join me in the dance during the festival remembered me with all their hearts. When you call out to God with true devotion, no distance or time can keep you apart."

The teacher paused, looking at his students. "Isn't that right, children?"

"Yes, Guruji," the students chorused, understanding the depth of the lesson. "God always responds to a devotee's call, and if you call with true devotion, God will appear before you."

The story continued, "Uddhava reached Braj as evening fell. Nandaraja was at home, and when he heard that a message from Krishna had arrived, he embraced Uddhava as if he were his own son, Kanai."

"Oh, Uddhava," Nandaraja cried, "how are Balai and Kanai? Tell me about them. Who will walk these paths of Braj now? All these butter pots remind us of them again and again. He left us empty-hearted and left everyone in Braj almost lifeless. He promised to return but hasn't come back yet."

Uddhava gently reassured him, "Mother, please be calm. That's why he sent me. He hasn't forgotten you. After defeating Kansa, he became very busy with many tasks in Mathura. But he said you will see him soon."

Nandaraja spent the whole night talking with Uddhava, his heart a little lighter with the promise of Krishna's return.

The next morning, as Uddhava prepared to leave, the gopis gathered around him, their eyes filled with longing. "You brought Madhav's message, but he won't come himself," they lamented. "He promised to leave his work in Mathura and return to Braj. Without him, the paths of Vrindavan, the riverbanks, and the hills around Govardhan feel lifeless. Our bodies are here, but our souls have left with him."

Chapter 4: Messages and Missions

The morning sun bathed the village of Vrindavan in a golden hue as Uddhava prepared to take his leave. The gopis, with their hearts still aching, surrounded him, their eyes a blend of hope and sorrow.

Uddhava spoke gently, "O Gopis, Vasudev sent me to tell you that he hasn't forgotten you. He is within your hearts. If you think of him with true devotion, he will appear to you."

One gopi, her voice trembling, asked, "But does that mean he won't come here in person anymore? Will he stay away like this?"

Uddhava shook his head with a reassuring smile. "No, dear friend. Once his work in Mathura is done, he will return to Braj. On the full moon night of the festival, even those who couldn't leave their homes felt his presence. Call out to him in the same way. Think of him, and you will see that he is present in everything around you—in these paths, the river, the hills, and even in your daily lives."

His words brought a glimmer of comfort to their hearts, a promise that Krishna would one day return to them. As Uddhava set off, the gopis watched him go, clutching the hope he had left behind.

Meanwhile, far away in Mathura, Krishna had other matters to attend to. He had promised Kubja, the hunchbacked woman he had rescued, that he would visit her home. And true to his word, one day, Krishna and Uddhava found themselves at Kubja's beautifully decorated palace.

Kubja's eyes lit up with joy as she saw them. "Vasudev, you remembered me after all this time? Come, sit here," she said, her voice filled with warmth as she offered them seats.

Krishna sat on Kubja's beautifully adorned bed, while Uddhava, ever humble, chose to sit on the floor. Kubja quickly dressed herself and approached Krishna, ready to serve him with devotion.

But Krishna's journey did not end there. He had also promised to visit Akrura, another trusted ally. One day, accompanied by Uddhava and Balaram, Krishna arrived at Akrura's home.

Akrura greeted them with open arms. "What a fortune it is for me that Lord Krishna has come to this humble home. Please, take a seat here, my lord. Balaram, Uddhava, you too, please sit."

Krishna nodded, appreciating Akrura's hospitality. "Is everything well?" he asked.

"Yes, everything is well with us," Akrura replied. "But I have a special need for you. You are like a teacher to us, our greatest well-wisher. So today, I have come to you with a special task."

"What is it, Vasudev?" Akrura inquired, curiosity piqued.

"You are the most trustworthy and wise among our relatives and friends. So, I need you to go to Hastinapur to check on the Pandavas."

Akrura's brow furrowed with concern. "Are they in any danger, Murari?"

"The Pandavas are not in danger yet, but I can't say they are completely safe either," Krishna explained. "Their guardian, King Dhritarashtra, and his eldest son, Duryodhana, do not like the Pandavas. So, I request you to please go there."

Akrura nodded, determination in his eyes. "As you wish, Vasudev. I will go to Hastinapur, see their situation with my own eyes, and bring you all the news."

With a sense of relief, Krishna watched Akrura set off on his mission. "The news about the Pandavas is very important to me," he murmured to himself.

Akrura's journey to Hastinapur revealed troubling news. Upon his return, he reported to Krishna, "The situation in Hastinapur isn't very good, Vasudev. According to the rules of the Kuru dynasty, Yudhishthira should be the next king after Dhritarashtra. But the blind King Dhritarashtra is very fond of his son. So, he has arranged for the throne to go to the wicked Duryodhana instead of Yudhishthira."

Krishna's expression darkened. "This is a great injustice."

Balaram placed a calming hand on Krishna's shoulder. "Calm down. It's not the right time to interfere in Hastinapur's matters. We have a bigger problem to deal with right now."

"What problem are you talking about, brother?" Krishna asked, turning to Balaram.

"After King Kansa was killed, Mathura is unprotected. If kings attack from all sides, it will be a big danger. And King Jarasandha of Magadha might attack Mathura at any moment to avenge Kansa's death, Krishna. First, protect Mathura. Then we can think about Hastinapur."

Krishna nodded, understanding the urgency. "I will follow your orders, brother."

A sense of anticipation filled the air. "So, will there be a war between Krishna and Jarasandha next?" Uddhava wondered aloud, sensing the gravity of the situation.

The winds of change were blowing, and a new chapter in Krishna's journey was about to unfold.

Chapter 5: The Call to Dwaraka

The tension in the air was palpable as the wise teacher spoke, recounting the events that had unfolded. "Yes, King," he began, "Jarasandha realized he couldn't defeat the Yadavas alone. So, before attacking Mathura, he formed an alliance with Kalayavan."

A young student, eyes wide with curiosity, raised his hand. "Who was Kalayavan, teacher?" he asked eagerly.

"Kalayavan was a mighty warrior and king," the teacher replied, his voice steady and engaging. "He had received a boon from Shiva that he would always be undefeated in battle."

The students leaned in closer, captivated by the tale. "With this alliance, Kalayavan attacked Mathura with a huge army," the teacher continued. "Now, did Krishna manage to defeat the Yavanas and Jarasandha? Let me tell you the whole story."

The teacher paused, drawing his listeners further into the narrative. "You see, Parikshit, Krishna understood that with the small Yadava army, they couldn't fight the Yavanas. Especially since Kalayavan was unbeatable in battle. So, Krishna secretly built a city called Dwaraka, surrounded by water."

Another student, puzzled, asked, "Why was a new city needed, teacher?"

"Like Balarama, Krishna knew that soon the Yavanas and Jarasandha's armies would attack Mathura," the teacher explained. "So, his plan was to have a safe place to send the Yadavas when needed. But Krishna couldn't decide this alone. He needed King Ugrasena's permission."

A scene unfolded in the classroom, as if the students could see the events themselves. Krishna approached King Ugrasena with respect. "Accept my greetings, King Ugrasena," he said humbly.

King Ugrasena welcomed him warmly. "Come, Vasudev, come. Sit down, my son. Do you want to say something first, Vasudev?"

Krishna nodded, his expression serious. "Yes, King, I need your permission for something important."

"Speak, Vasudev, what do you want?" the king inquired, his interest piqued.

Krishna took a deep breath. "Mathura is no longer safe for us, King. Our army is small compared to the enemy kings. Especially if King Jarasandha seeks revenge for Kansa's death, other kings might join him. Then Mathura will be defenseless from all sides. Moreover, they know Mathura's strengths and weaknesses. Nothing will be hidden from our enemies."

King Ugrasena listened intently. "That's true. This is indeed a big danger. Have you thought of any way to escape this, Krishna?"

"I have an idea, Your Majesty," Krishna replied confidently. "If we move from Mathura to Dwaraka, we will be much safer. Dwaraka is in the middle of the sea, so no king, including Jarasandha, can attack us there. What do you think about moving our entire kingdom to Dwaraka?"

The king nodded thoughtfully. "That's an excellent suggestion. But how will you build a city in the sea?"

"Vishwakarma will take care of that," Krishna assured him. "He has the knowledge to do it. We have acquired a large piece of land from the sea. Vishwakarma will quickly build a city and palaces there. The city will be very secure. We can start the work as soon as you give your permission, Your Majesty."

King Ugrasena smiled, his decision made. "I gladly give my consent, Krishna. Begin preparations for the journey to Dwaraka."

"As you wish, Your Majesty," Krishna replied, relief washing over him.

The teacher paused, allowing the weight of the decision to settle over the classroom. "What happened next, wise sage?" a student asked, breaking the silence.

"Krishna left Mathura with everyone," the teacher continued. "Yes, King, Krishna moved the entire Mathura to Dwaraka. The people of Mathura were delighted to see the beautifully decorated city, palaces, and charming houses. This city was even more beautiful than Mathura. And why wouldn’t it be? It was crafted by the divine architect, Vishwakarma. The Yadavas were very happy here."

"But meanwhile, Krishna's fear came true," the teacher added with a hint of foreboding. "What happened, my lord?"

"Jarasandha attacked Mathura," the teacher revealed. "He was the father of Kansa's two wives, Asti and Prapti. Hearing about his daughters' sudden widowhood, his anger towards Krishna knew no bounds."

The students gasped, realizing the gravity of the situation. "Jarasandha was one of the most powerful kings of that time. He was a devotee of Shiva. His power was immense, and he had 23 divisions of soldiers."

"Is that true, wise sage? Do any kings have such a large army?" a student asked incredulously.

"No, King, they don't," the teacher confirmed. "But Jarasandha did. He had defeated many kings in battle and captured them. He also took over their armies. This is how Jarasandha built a massive army. His army was as vast as the sea, with no beginning or end in sight."

"This enormous army surrounded Mathura from all sides," the teacher described, his voice painting a vivid picture. "From the palace roof, Krishna and Balarama saw the countless soldiers."

Balarama turned to Krishna, his eyes wide with concern. "Do you see, Keshav, how the army of Magadha seems to fill the earth? Can you see this sight?" he asked.

Krishna nodded, a calm smile on his face. "I see it, brother. I see everything."

"You are smiling, Krishna," Balarama noted, surprised by his brother's demeanor. "Seeing Jarasandha makes you smile. Why wouldn’t you, when he has gathered all the wicked, cowards, demons, and sinners together? Think, brother, how easy it will be for us to defeat all these evildoers at once. Imagine how much sin will be removed from the earth."

The students sat in awe, the story unfolding before their eyes, as they eagerly awaited what would happen next.

Chapter 6: The Battle of Mathura

The sun hung high in the sky, casting a golden glow over the land as Krishna and Balarama stood ready to face their formidable enemy. Balarama pointed towards the heavens where two divine chariots, shimmering with celestial light, descended gracefully. "Yes, Krishna, you are right," Balarama agreed, his voice filled with determination. "Look, brother, the gods have sent us these chariots and weapons. It's time to crush Jarasandha's army. We shall begin by striking down the greatest sinner, Jarasandha himself. The others are merely his followers."

Krishna, however, shook his head, a calm smile playing on his lips. "No, brother. It is not yet Jarasandha's time. He will gather more demons, and we shall defeat them again. We must let him live for now. Focus on his soldiers instead."

Balarama nodded, accepting Krishna's wisdom. "May your wish come true, Krishna. Let us don our armor and helmets, and ride these divine chariots to the gates of Mathura city."

With a powerful blast from his conch shell, Krishna signaled the start of the battle. The sound echoed across the plains, drawing Jarasandha's attention. Filled with hatred and mockery, Jarasandha approached, his eyes fixed on Krishna. "So, you're Krishna?" he sneered. "Have you come to fight me? You're quite clever, aren't you? With that cleverness, you killed your own uncle. And now, you think I will fight you? Listen, Krishna, I won't even touch you. You still smell like milk and butter. Run away, go on, run away."

Krishna remained unfazed, his voice steady and strong. "Stop, Jarasandha. A true warrior doesn't just talk. He shows his strength on the battlefield. Why do you speak so much when you have no real strength, even with so many soldiers? I will defeat your soldiers. Jarasandha, if you have the strength, try to stop me."

Jarasandha turned his gaze to Balarama, his voice dripping with scorn. "Balarama, come, I will send you to heaven. You will die a hero's death and live forever in heaven. With your body torn apart, you will go to heaven. Then I will crush your brother."

The battlefield roared to life as Jarasandha's vast army, a sea of soldiers, surrounded Krishna and Balarama. The flags on their chariots vanished amidst the chaos, replaced by the unending rows of Magadha's soldiers. Mathura's warriors stood frozen, fear gripping their hearts. The commander of Mathura watched helplessly, unable to break through the enemy lines to aid the divine brothers. Cries of distress echoed through the city.

In the midst of the turmoil, the ground was littered with the fallen. Heads of men and animals lay scattered, bodies torn apart by the relentless fight. Rivers of blood flowed through the streets of Mathura, a grim testament to the ferocity of the battle. Arrows rained down on Jarasandha's forces, leaving them no time to counterattack. Balarama fought fiercely, his eyes set on capturing Jarasandha.

And so, the tale of Krishna and Balarama unfolded, with the promise of more battles and victories yet to come.

[Music]

To be continued in the next chapter...