Part 54 (2/2)

Akrura said: - ”The design is all right. But it may or may not succeed.

Even lofty desires are frustrated by unforeseen obstacles. Still man entertains them, to meet with either joy or sorrow. But I will do thy behests.”

The council broke up.

KESI.

*SKANDHA X. CHAP. 37.*

In the meantime, Kesi, under the orders of Kansa, entered Vraja, in the form of a fiery steed, Krishna held him aloft by the feet and threw him away. The Asura regained consciousness and again ran after Krishna. He thrust his hand inside the mouth of the Asura and killed him at once.

The Devas rained flowers over him and prayed. Ris.h.i.+ Narada also appeared and adored him, making reference to his future deeds.

VYOMA.

*SKANDHA X. CHAP. 37.*

The Gopas were grazing cattle on the flat summit of a hill. Some played the part of thieves, some, that of cattle keepers and some the part of sheep. The Asura Vyoma, (the word meaning akasa), son of Maya, a.s.sumed the form of a Gopa, and playing the part of a thief carried away many Gopas, who became sheep and he confined them in a hill cave closed by stones. In the playground only four or five Gopas remained. Krishna found out the mischief, attacked the Asura and killed him.

AKRuRA.

Akrura was mightily pleased that he would see the lotus feet of Rama and Krishna. His devotion to Krishna knew no bounds and he knew full well that, whatever his mission might be, the Lord would find out his inward devotion. At sunset he reached Gokula and, on seeing Rama and Krishna, fell down at their feet. They duly honored him. Nanda also shewed every respect to Akrura. At night Akrura made a clean breast of everything to Rama and Krishna, telling how Kansa oppressed the Yadus, how Narada informed him of their presence in Vraja and who they were, how he planned their death, and the mission on which he sent him. Rama and Krishna only laughed. The next morning they informed Nanda about the command of the king. Nanda asked the Gopas to prepare themselves with presents.

And the Gopa girls? Who could measure the depth of their sorrow? Their plaintive strains were most heart-rending. They wept They followed the chariot carrying Rama and Krishna. Krishna to console them sent word that he would come back. At last the chariot became invisible and the Gopis went back to their homes.

On reaching the banks of the Yamuna the brothers took their bath in the river and refreshed themselves with its water. They took their seat again in the chariot. Akrura asked their permission and went to bathe.

He plunged himself in the waters and duly performed the ablution ceremonies. He made a _j.a.pa_ (repeated recital) of Veda Mantras. But lo!

he found before him Rama and Krishna. They were in the chariot. How could they appear then? He rose and saw the boys were really seated in the chariot. He plunged himself once more and saw in the waters the serpent king Ananta, with a thousand heads and a thousand crowns, dressed in blue clothes, white in body, adored by Siddhas, Charanas, Gandhavas, and Asuras. Embraced by him was the dark Purusha, dressed in yellow clothes, with four hands, adored by the Ris.h.i.+s.

Akrura made salutations and adored the Purusha with folded hands.

Krishna then withdrew his form, as a play is withdrawn from the stage.

Akrura got up and took his seat in the chariot.

Krishna said: - ”Akrura, you look as if you have seen something unusual.” Akrura replied: - ”What is there in the universe that is not in thee. When I have seen thee, I have seen everything.” They drove on again and at last reached Mathura.

MATHURa.

*SKANDHA X. CHAP. 41-42.*

Akrura asked Krishna and all the Gopas to come to his house. But Krishna would first kill Kansa before doing him this favor. So Akrura sorrowfully left him and informed Kansa about the performance of his mission.

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