Canto Ten - Chapter 36

Śrī Bādarāyaṇi said: Then Ariṣṭa, a bull-shaped demon with a massive hump and body, entered the cowherd settlement, making the earth tremble and tearing it with his hooves.

He bellowed with terrifying harshness, scraped the earth with his hooves, raised his tail, and tore up the embankments with the tips of his horns. His eyes stared fixedly as he repeatedly passed small amounts of dung and urine.

O dear one, the demon's cruel, thunderous roar caused women and cows to miscarry prematurely in their terror.

Clouds mistook his hump for a mountain and gathered about it. Seeing that bull with his sharpened horns, the gopīs and cowherd men became terrified.

O King, the frightened animals fled and scattered the herds. Everyone cried, 'Kṛṣṇa! Kṛṣṇa!' and took refuge in Govinda.

Seeing Gokula driven mad with fear, Bhagavān reassured them with the words, 'Do not be afraid,' and then called out to the bull demon.

'Fool! Lowest of the wicked! What do you gain by terrifying the cowherd men and animals when I stand here to punish evil beings of corrupt nature like you?'

Having spoken thus, Acyuta clapped His hands to provoke Ariṣṭa. Hari stood with one expansive arm resting upon a friend's shoulder.

Provoked in this way, Ariṣṭa angrily scraped the ground with his hoof. With his tail raised high and clouds whirling about it, he charged at Kṛṣṇa.

Lowering the sharp tips of his horns, his bloodshot eyes fixed and rigid, he glared sideways at Acyuta and rushed upon Him like a thunderbolt hurled by Indra.

Bhagavān seized him by both horns and drove him back eighteen steps, as one elephant forces back a rival elephant.

Thrown back by Bhagavān, the demon quickly rose again. Perspiring over his entire body, breathing heavily, and stupefied by rage, he attacked once more.

As the demon charged, Kṛṣṇa seized him by the horns, knocked him to the ground, pinned him beneath His foot, and wrung him out like a wet cloth. Then the Lord struck him with his own horn, and he fell.

Vomiting blood, passing urine and dung, kicking his legs, and rolling his eyes uncontrollably, the demon painfully entered the realm of death. The gods showered Hari with flowers and praised Him.

Having killed the humped demon in this way, Kṛṣṇa entered the cowherd settlement with Balarāma. The twice-born praised Him, and His appearance created a festival for the gopīs' eyes.

After the demon Ariṣṭa had been killed by Kṛṣṇa, whose deeds are wondrous, the divine sage Nārada, who sees the gods, went and spoke to Kaṃsa.

He told him that Yaśodā's child was the daughter, while Kṛṣṇa was actually Devakī's son and Rāma was Rohiṇī's; that the frightened Vasudeva had entrusted both boys to his friend Nanda; and that they were the ones who had killed Kaṃsa's agents.

Hearing this, the lord of the Bhojas lost control of his senses in fury. He seized a sharpened sword, intending to kill Vasudeva.

Nārada restrained him, explaining that Vasudeva's two sons were destined to be his death. Kaṃsa then bound Vasudeva and his wife in iron chains.

After the divine sage had departed, Kaṃsa summoned Keśī and commanded him, 'You must kill Rāma and Keśava.'

The Bhoja king next summoned Muṣṭika, Cāṇūra, Śala, Tośala, and the others, together with his ministers and elephant keepers, and addressed them.

'Listen to me, heroic Cāṇūra and Muṣṭika. The two sons of Ānakadundubhi are said to be living in Nanda's Vraja.

'Those two, Rāma and Kṛṣṇa, have been declared the cause of my death. When they are brought here, you must kill them under the pretense of a wrestling match.

'Construct many viewing platforms around the wrestling arena so that all the people of the city and countryside may freely watch the contest.

'Good elephant keeper, place the elephant Kuvalayāpīḍa at the arena's entrance and use him to destroy my two enemies.

'Let the bow sacrifice begin on the fourteenth lunar day according to proper rite. Slaughter suitable sacrificial animals for the gracious lord of spirits.'

After issuing these orders, Kaṃsa, who understood how to employ every means for his purpose, summoned Akrūra, foremost of the Yadus. Taking his hand in his own, he addressed him.

'O generous lord, please show me friendship with sincere regard. Among the Bhojas and Vṛṣṇis, no one is more devoted to my welfare than you.

'Gentle Akrūra, I therefore take refuge in you to carry out this weighty task, just as the mighty Indra once took refuge in Viṣṇu and achieved his purpose.

'Go to Nanda's Vraja, where the two sons of Ānakadundubhi are living. Bring them here without delay in this chariot.

'The gods who have taken shelter of Vaikuṇṭha have evidently sent those two as my death. Bring them together with Nanda and the other cowherds, bearing their tribute and gifts.

'Once they are here, I shall have them killed by the elephant, who is like death itself. Should they escape him, I shall have them killed by wrestlers powerful as lightning.

'When the two boys have been killed, I shall destroy Vasudeva and all their grieving kinsmen among the Vṛṣṇis, Bhojas, and Dāśārhas.

'I shall also kill my aged father Ugrasena, who still desires the kingdom, his brother Devaka, and every other person who opposes me.

'Then, my friend, this earth will be free of thorns. Jarāsandha is my revered elder, and Dvivida is my beloved friend.

'Śambara, Naraka, and Bāṇa have likewise made firm friendship with me. With their help I shall kill the kings allied with the gods and rule the earth.

'Knowing all this, quickly bring the boys Rāma and Kṛṣṇa here to see the bow sacrifice and behold the splendor of the Yadus' city.'

Śrī Akrūra said: O King, your plan has been devised well to remove the misfortune threatening you. Yet one should remain equal in success and failure, for destiny alone brings results to fruition.

A person makes ambitious plans even when destiny has already thwarted them, and so becomes subject to joy and grief. Nevertheless, I shall carry out your command.

Śrī Śuka said: Having instructed Akrūra in this way and dismissed his ministers, Kaṃsa entered his residence, while Akrūra likewise returned to his own home.