The Slaying of Bakasura

King Parikshit listened carefully and then asked, "For so long, the cowherd people had lived there. Now they were leaving Gokul with all their roots. Tell me, did they not feel any sorrow?"

Shukadeva Goswami replied, "No, O king, they did not. The cowherd men and women of Gokul were not ordinary people. Each one of them had a divine nature. That is why they were not slaves to attachment, desire, or worldly wishes. In their thoughts and hearts, there were only Krishna and Balaram. All day long, they thought only of this: may no danger come to these two children. They were so absorbed in thoughts of Krishna that they never even thought of their own comfort or trouble. That is why the gopis were so pure, so innocent. Without a pure heart, this kind of love cannot even be imagined, O sage. It can only be heard and listened to."

Parikshit said softly, "Yes, O king, you are right. To understand the love of the gopis is the highest spiritual practice. But there is also great value in hearing. The more you think about these words after hearing them, the more deeply that feeling will spread in your heart."

Then he bowed his head and said, "Master, I am listening with full attention. Please go on."

So Shukadeva continued.

The cowherd men and women of Gokul happily started moving toward Vrindavan. First went the huge groups of cows, calves, goats, sheep, and buffaloes. Then came one bullock cart after another, carrying all the household things. After that came the women. Some rode in carts, some in chariots, and some walked on foot. In the middle of them walked Yashoda with Krishna in her arms, and Rohini with Balaram in her arms. Behind them came the men of Gokul. Some were on horses, some in chariots, and some were walking.

Looking at how they were dressed, it seemed as if they were all going to a festival. Singing songs about Krishna and Balaram, the people of Gokul set out on the road. It was a wonderfully beautiful and colorful procession.

One woman laughed and called out, "Look, Yashoda, look. Your Kanai and Balai cannot stop smiling. They must already be planning some mischief. Isn’t that right, Kanai?"

Little Krishna quickly answered, "Oh, when did I do any mischief? You were singing, so I am smiling."

Yashoda smiled proudly. "That is true. Kanai is happy because he sees all of you happy. And all of you always find fault with my little boy. You are the naughty ones."

There is truly no comparison to the beauty of Vrindavan. When the cowherd men and women came there, they were full of joy. The cows and calves were also very happy. The little boys and girls began to dance with delight. In the middle of them, Krishna created a great noise and excitement. Elder brother Balaram, of course, was quite calm. But on that day, the same sparkle of joy shone in his eyes as in his brother’s.

Vrindavan was so green and beautiful that within a single day the cowherd people forgot their old Gokul. There they settled down properly and began life again.

King Parikshit then asked, "Tell me, Master, where did this name Vrindavan come from?"

Shukadeva said, "Vrinda’s forest is Vrindavan. Vrinda is Tulsi. She is Lakshmi, the most beloved of Vishnu. Vishnu keeps her close upon his head and on his chest. That is why Narayan is not worshipped without Tulsi. So Narayan himself, in human form, came now to Vrindavan, which is the form of Lakshmi, as the playground of Shri Krishna. That is why Vrindavan is given the first place."

Parikshit asked again, "Tell me, O sage, is Vrindavan also part of Braj, like Gokul?"

"Yes, O king," Shukadeva replied. "Gokul and Vrindavan together are really one vast grazing land. The life of the cowherd people depends on these cows and calves. Cattle grazing is their main work. So wherever their cattle live happily, they too will be happy there. That is why another name for Braj is grazing land. But there is another meaning of Braj too, O king."

The king leaned forward. "This is the first time I have heard that, O great sage. Please tell me that other meaning as well."

Shukadeva said, "The land that cannot be seen from the outside, that is not revealed openly before everyone, is Braj. The word Baraj means beyond open display. This place is very secret, not for everyone."

Parikshit was amazed. "Then, O sage, when Shri Krishna went to Braj, could people not see that holy land from the outside? What does this really mean?"

"It means," said Shukadeva, "that not everyone could see Braj exactly as it truly is, and even today not everyone can. How much one can see depends on one’s own past impressions and good deeds."

"How can that be possible, O sage?"

"Everything is possible, O king, everything. The lord of Braj is Krishna himself, and the lady of Braj is Shri Radhika."

Parikshit said, "But then what happens? Is not the ruler of Braj the stream of grace?"

Shukadeva answered, "Braj moves by the will of Yogamaya. Whatever she wishes, that happens there. So Yogamaya decides who will be able to see the true events of Braj. That is why the same event appears in different ways to different people. Do you understand, O king?"

The king lowered his eyes in wonder. "This too I hear for the first time today, O sage. It is beyond my thinking, beyond my knowing. Truly, so many endless mysteries are still hidden."

Shukadeva said gently, "And all talk of Krishna is endless mystery. Yes, O king, the stories of Vrindavan are indeed very mysterious. But let the inner mystery remain for now. Now I will tell you the divine play of Shri Hari."

Parikshit folded his hands. "As you command, Lord, please tell it."

Now the two little brothers were slowly growing up. In the cowherd community, there was a rule. When the little boys grew a bit older, they were given the duty of grazing cattle. Along with the elders, they learned the work of earning a living from childhood.

Krishna and Balaram also had to learn this work. Nanda Raja and the other elders took them along. Since they had grown up seeing cattle from a very young age, a deep closeness had developed between them and the animals. They had also grown very affectionate toward them. So Kanai and Balai were very happy to receive the duty of grazing. Of course, at first they were not given responsibility for the cows. They were taken to graze the calves.

Krishna was very friendly. He had a close bond with everyone in Braj. And there was no shortage of little boys in Braj either. Every morning they all got up early, gathered in a group, and went to the fields with the calves, shouting and laughing together.

As the sun rose, Mother Yashoda would wake Kanai from sleep.

"Kanai, O Kanai, get up, my child. Morning has come. Get up. Will you not go to the field? See how the calves are jumping about. All your friends have come."

From inside, Krishna answered eagerly, "Yes, Mother, I will go. Open the door, open the door. Shridam and Sudam have come, Mother."

Yashoda said, "O Kanai, your friends are standing outside the house and calling you. Wash your face, child. Keep your plate of food with you. Look at this boy! If he could, he would break the door and run out. Go with your elder brother, Kanai. Do not go alone."

"Do not worry, Mother. Brother is with me."

Soon Krishna came out, and someone teased him, "Why are you so late today, Kanai? I have been calling you for so long. Surely you were lying there pretending to sleep until Mother called. Isn’t that so, Kanai?"

Krishna shook his head. "No, no, brother, I was thinking about a tune."

Balaram asked, "A tune? What will you do with a tune, Kanai? What tune?"

Krishna’s face lit up. "Will you hear it? Wait, I will play it."

Then he played.

The boys stared at him in delight.

"Wonderful!" one cried. "How beautiful! You play the flute so beautifully, Kanai! Where did you learn it?"

Krishna said simply, "Where else? I learned it by myself."

Another boy pleaded, "Hey Kanai, listen, will you play it again a little?"

Another said, "Truly, Kanai, I did not know you had this gift. From today we will all listen to your flute."

Krishna laughed. "All right then. First let us leave the calves in the field. Then we will all come and sit under that tree."

After sending the calves out to graze, Kanai began to play the flute. What a wonderful, sweet, life-stealing melody flowed from his lips. The boys forgot all their mischief. They sat around Kanai in deep wonder. The tune floated through the air. Even the calves were full of joy that day. They began to jump about with twice as much energy. Hearing the sound of Kanai’s flute, even the birds in the trees seemed to join in song together.

One boy asked with shining eyes, "Kanai, can you call our cows and calves with the sound of your flute? Can you call them by name?"

Krishna answered, "Yes, brother, I can. I call them day and night. Will you listen?"

Balaram smiled. "Ah, what a lovely tune you have learned. Look there, brother. As soon as your flute called her name, Dhabali came running toward you."

Then one of the boys said, "Listen, Kanai, now play our names. Call us one by one with your flute. How about that?"

Another shouted, "Hey Shriram, did you hear your name?"

As they listened to Krishna’s flute, time seemed to pass without anyone knowing. On the bank of the Yamuna, the cool breeze, the birds’ song, and Krishna’s flute made that naughty group of boys completely quiet. Shridam, Sudam, Basudam, and Krishna’s other friends all sat with their eyes closed, enchanted by the music.

Just then an event took place. A demon named Vatsasur came there. He took the form of a calf and mixed in with the herd of calves belonging to the cowherd boys. No one saw the demon. But nothing escaped Kanai’s eyes.

Without letting the others know, Krishna signaled to elder brother Balaram and said softly, "Brother, did you see anything?"

Balaram replied quietly, "I did. You mean that demon, don’t you?"

"Yes, yes, brother. Leave it. Do not tell the others anything. They will be frightened for no reason. I will deal with that fellow."

"Kanai, be very careful."

Then Balaram added, "But Kanai, come, let us both go and throw him into the ground."

Krishna smiled. "You do not have to go, brother. Just watch what I do."

Kanai let no one understand anything. Even the demon did not realize that Kanai had recognized him. The demon Vatsasur had taken the form of a strong, healthy calf. Kanai acted as if he was charmed by that calf and wanted to play with it. With such an admiring look, he moved toward it. Then suddenly he grabbed its hind legs along with its tail, lifted it into the air, and began to whirl it around with great force.

Out of fear for its life, the calf’s mouth now let out the roar of the demon. "What are you doing, Kanai? Hey, what are you doing? Leave me, leave me. Let him go. Why are you beating the calf like that?"

One of the boys cried out, "Hey Kanai, if this were a real calf, how could it roar in such a terrible voice? Do you want to see who this is? Look."

Saying this, Kanai threw the calf-shaped demon toward a tree far away. With a huge body, it flew onto the tree. Under its weight many other trees also crashed down with a cracking sound.

Seeing the giant form of that demon, Kanai’s friends froze with fear. Kanai had thrown that huge demon into the air with one hand. The wonder of the boys knew no bounds. Lifting Kanai onto their shoulders, they returned home.

King Parikshit said, "Out of fear of demons Nanda came away to Vrindavan. And here too the same trouble began again, O sage. Tell me, were these demons also spies of Kansa?"

Shukadeva replied, "The next one I will tell you about, Bakasur, had indeed come to Vrindavan on Kansa’s order."

"Who was Bakasur, O sage?"

Shukadeva said, "He was seen on one side of the Yamuna. He stood there silently with a body huge like a mountain. The cowherd boys had then taken their calves there to drink water."

The boys called to the calves, "Come, come, come, drink water. Come here, come, come, come, come, come, come, come."

Then Krishna asked, "Brother Balai, tell me, what has happened? Why are the calves so frightened? Look, they do not even want to go into the water."

Balaram said, "I have been calling them for so long. Look there. Maybe they are all afraid because of that."

One boy stared and said, "It looks like a crane. But Father, why does it look like a monster?"

Another shouted, "Kanai, hey Kanai, look. Look at this creature once."

Krishna looked carefully and said, "You are right. That is a demon. It has come in the form of a crane. No crane could ever be so huge. Wait, I will see. Nothing will happen. Do not be afraid. I will drive it away."

At once the boys cried out, "Kanai, hey Kanai, do not go, do not go, do not go."

But Krishna went forward.

In the next moment the boys screamed, "Kanai, Kanai, what has happened, Kanai? Brother Balai, O brother Balai, that crane has swallowed Kanai in its mouth. What will happen now?"

Another cried, "Yes, how will we get Kanai back? O Kanai, Kanai."

Hearing this, King Parikshit was deeply shaken. "What! That demon swallowed Krishna, O sage? How could that happen?"

Shukadeva said, "Yes, O king. Bakasur opened his beak and put little Krishna into his mouth. The cowherd boys cried out in grief. In heaven too the gods were shaken with worry. They began to think of ways to kill Bakasur. But Krishna himself was inside the demon’s mouth. They feared that if they struck the demon, Krishna might be hurt. So they could do nothing. In their hearts they began to remember Shri Hari."

He continued, "Meanwhile, after Krishna went into his mouth, a terrible burning began in the roof of Bakasur’s mouth. When that burning grew unbearable, Bakasur spat Krishna out. Seeing their Kanai come out with his body unharmed, the joy of the cowherd boys had no end. But Bakasur, bursting with anger, began to strike Krishna’s small body with his huge sharp beak."

Parikshit cried out, "What! Krishna’s soft little body, and blows on that body? Bloodshed on a child’s body!"

Shukadeva reassured him, "No, O king, do not be afraid. Bakasur could not harm Krishna’s body at all. Instead, little Krishna now caught his two huge beaks with both hands and split that giant body apart as easily as one tears a blade of grass."

The boys shouted with delight, "The monster is dead, the monster is dead! What fun, what fun, what fun!"

Balaram rushed to his brother. "Kanai, O Kanai, Kanai, Kanai, did you get hurt anywhere, brother?"

Krishna answered, "No, brother, nothing happened to me. Do not worry."

Now the news of little Krishna’s deed spread from the mouths of the cowherd boys and reached Vrindavan. Nanda, Yashoda, and all the other cowherd men and women of Braj breathed in relief and said, "After leaving Gokul I thought maybe now peace would come into my life. But where is it? My son’s danger has still not ended."

Someone said sadly, "Maharaj, the poor one will never get even a little peace in life."

Nanda tried to comfort Yashoda. "Why are you so afraid, mother of Kanaiya? Our son is safe, after all."

But Yashoda said, "You may feel comfort from that. But I am his mother. My heart will never be at peace. Today my child is well, but what if tomorrow he is not... I will not let him go outside anymore. He will stay before my eyes."

Krishna came near and pleaded, "Mother, O Mother, will I not go to play? Why do you want to keep me shut in? Will I not play with my friends, Mother? Look, nothing has happened to me."

Yashoda held him close. "O child, if anything happens to you, I will die."

Rohini said gently, "Do not be afraid, Queen. Nothing will happen to Kanai. Why keep the boy back for no reason? And besides, is he the kind of child who can sit at home? You will see, he will surely run away."

Yashoda still trembled. "But what if again..."

Then someone reminded her, "Have you forgotten the words of Sage Bhrigu, Queen? Do you not remember what he said? What greater truth is there about Kanai and Balai than that? Think of it, Yashoda."

Holding both boys tightly to her chest, Yashoda remained silent. With his tiny little hands, Kanai wiped his mother’s eyes. At his touch, Mother Yashoda forgot all her sorrow. Holding both boys close, she took them to eat.

After some time, Parikshit asked, "Tell me, O sage, how did Kansa come to know that the people of Gokul had all left and settled in Mathura?"

Shukadeva answered, "Kansa kept watch over all the news of Gokul. Besides, the gopis used to come to the market of Mathura to sell milk, butter, ghee, and cream. Through people, the news spread from their mouths. Kansa also heard that news. So Nanda Raja and his companions were not unknown to him. On top of that, after the deaths of Vatsasur and Bakasur, Kansa became even more frightened of Nanda’s son. This tiny child simply could not be killed. The boy was clearly not ordinary at all. Kansa had no doubt of that. He kept trying in every possible way to kill him, but he was not succeeding. Kansa burned with anger. This time he called for his strongest support. After Putana, this demon protected Kansa. His name was Aghasur."

In Mathura, Kansa summoned the demon.

Aghasur arrived and said, "Maharaj, why have you called me after so many days? Surely something serious has happened."

Kansa replied, "Come, Aghasur, come. You are right. The matter is indeed serious. I need you to do something for me. Those whom I sent before could not do it. They died themselves. So now I have called you."

Aghasur laughed with pride. "Aghasur does not die so easily, Maharaj. You can stay without worry. Just tell me what the task is. Even the gods fear me. There is no work in this world that I cannot do."

"I know, Aghasur. That is why you are my last hope."

"Give the order, Maharaj."

Kansa’s eyes became dark. "Go to Vrindavan, Aghasur. Kill all the children there. Especially kill that Krishna and Balaram. They must not survive in any way."

Aghasur frowned. "Forgive me, O king. Are you feeling unwell? Otherwise would you call me, me, Aghasur, to kill a few children? Even King Indra trembles in fear of me, Maharaj, you know that, do you not? There is no reason to think me sick or foolish."

Kansa said, "Aghasur, I know all about your strength and power. In the hands of this Krishna have died such powerful demons as Putana, Shakatasur, and Trinavarta. And the other day I heard that the boy even killed Bakasur."

Aghasur’s face changed. "The ones you named cannot be killed even by the gods. How can a mere child kill them, Maharaj? Surely there is some other mystery behind this."

Kansa answered, "If there truly is some mystery, then go and see it with your own eyes, Aghasur. I want to see that boy’s dead body. Very well, kill him by any means. That boy is the root of all trouble. No one else has such power."

Aghasur bowed and said, "Do not worry, Maharaj. I will go to Vrindavan. I will kill that boy with my own hands and bring his body before you."

Kansa said, "Good. Return victorious."

Receiving Kansa’s order, Aghasur moved toward Vrindavan. Taking the form of a huge python, he came onto the road of Braj and lay there. His mouth was wide open. His lower lip touched the ground. His upper lip reached the clouds in the sky. Fire burned in his two eyes. Inside his mouth it looked like burning lava. The creature looked as if it had laid out an endless road there. The inside of its mouth seemed like a huge cave. The beginning and end of its body could not be seen.

Parikshit asked, "But the gods have drunk nectar. They are immortal. Then why were they afraid of Aghasur, O sage?"

Shukadeva replied, "No god could stand before Aghasur’s strength. It is true that they are immortal. They will not die. But to protect the throne of heaven, strength is needed. Far from killing Aghasur, the gods would struggle for breath just trying to defeat him. That is why Aghasur had such pride and power."

Parikshit nodded. "Now I understand the reason for Aghasur’s pride, O sage. Then what happened in Braj? Please tell me."

Shukadeva continued, "When the cowherd boys were returning while grazing the cows, they saw that huge snake and were amazed. They could not understand that it was real. They began speaking among themselves in wonder."

One boy said, "Look, brother, look. Just look at that snake. Such a big snake. Have you ever seen one?"

Another replied, "No, brother. It cannot be a real snake. All kinds of decorations and strange things are spread along the paths of Vrindavan. This must be something like that."

A third boy clapped his hands. "Then that means we can go inside that open mouth and play, right?"

"Yes, surely we can. Come on. Let us take the cows and calves there now."

"Yes, yes, come, come, come, come, come, come, come."

Talking like this, the group of cowherd boys, along with the cows and calves, came right into that open mouth. But Aghasur did not let them understand his real purpose. He lay there like something lifeless, with his mouth open. In truth, Aghasur was waiting for Krishna.

Little Krishna had fallen a little behind with his cows and calves. Not seeing his friends, Krishna came forward calling out their names loudly.

"Shridam, Sudam, where are all of you? Shridam, Shridam, can you hear me?"

No one answered. Where had they gone? Had some danger come?

Then Krishna understood. Ah, this sinful demon has come to destroy my Vrindavan. I will show him.

With his cows and calves, Krishna moved toward that huge open mouth of Aghasur. In a moment he too entered that cave-like mouth. Then Aghasur closed his mouth. He was about to chew up Krishna along with the cowherd boys and the calves.

Just then a strange thing happened.

As soon as Aghasur closed his mouth, the gods in the sky cried out in fear. But little Krishna now began to grow bigger and bigger. He kept expanding himself. Soon he became so large that Aghasur could no longer hold him in his mouth. Krishna’s body broke through the roof of his mouth, split open his head, and rose up till it touched the sky. The gods of the three worlds, the gandharvas, the sages, all cried out in praise. Under that terrible pressure, Aghasur’s life came out through the top of his head.

Krishna then became that same little boy again and returned to Braj with his friends and all the cows and calves.

Parikshit exclaimed, "What a wondrous divine play! Then tell me, O sage, was this Aghasur the last demon sent by Kansa?"

Shukadeva said, "Yes, O king. After this, Kansa had no more terrible demons in his army fit to send to Braj. But Aghasur was also angry with Krishna because Krishna had killed his sister Putana and his brother Bakasur. So he wanted revenge. But the result was the opposite. After Aghasur’s death, the fear in Kansa’s heart grew many times more. Now he truly became alarmed. There was no other mighty demon left for him to send. So he himself began to wait for the right time."

Parikshit asked, "After Aghasur’s death, did life in Braj become peaceful, Master? Surely then there was no demon left anywhere to cause trouble."

Shukadeva replied, "Parikshit, what you are thinking did not happen. I said that no one else attacked Braj from Kansa’s side. But Braj had other dangers too. Even Lord Brahma himself put Krishna and his friends into great trouble."

The king was astonished. "What are you saying, O sage? You yourself said before that Brahma praises Narayan. And Brahma knows who Krishna is. Even then, was he the cause of danger? How could that be possible, O sage?"

Shukadeva answered, "It was all the play of Yogamaya, who can make the impossible happen, O king. If she wishes, what cannot happen? By her will, a desire arose in Brahma’s mind to test Shri Hari. Though to call it a test is not fully right. Brahma had another purpose. He wished to see even more of Hari’s divine play. So this time he himself became the danger before the cowherd boys."

Parikshit said, "Please now tell me that story, Lord."

"Yes, O king," said Shukadeva, "now I will tell you that very story."

After being saved from Aghasur, the boys were full of joy. Clapping their hands, shouting victory to Krishna, and dancing, they came to the bank of the Yamuna. That day they had gone out for a picnic meal. Then this whole event happened in between. But should that stop their happiness? Of course not.

At Krishna’s word, they all sat in a circle on the bank of the Yamuna with their food. Krishna sat in the middle. Seeing the green land, their cows and calves happily grazed and wandered far away. The boys, busy laughing and joking, forgot all about the cows and calves.

Suddenly Shridam remembered. "Oh no, our cows! We cannot see them anymore. Where have they gone?"

Krishna immediately said, "No one needs to get up. I am going. You all enjoy yourselves. I will go and bring them back."

One of the boys asked, "Will you manage alone, Kanai?"

Krishna replied, "Yes, yes, I can. Do not worry."

While still eating, with his little feet Krishna ran toward the forest with food still in his hand. Calling out the names of Kapila and Dhabali, he went deep inside.

But no one was anywhere.

Not a sound could be heard.

Everything was silent.

Where had they gone?

Now with what would they return home?

Krishna stood quietly and began to think.