॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥
7 May 2023, Sunday - Srimad Bhagavatam X.a36 - Sri Krishna slays the Asura called Arishtha who comes as a wild bull. Kamsa comes to know Sri Krishna is the one born to kill him. He makes arrangements to destroy Sri Krishna and orders Akrura to go and escort him and Balarama to Mathura.
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Arishta was an Asura assigned to kill Sri Krishna and Balarama. He assumed the form of a massive bull with sharp horns and entered Gokula menacingly.
तं तीक्ष्णशृङ्गमुद्वीक्ष्य गोप्यो गोपाश्च तत्रसुः । पशवो दुद्रुवुर्भीता राजन् सन्त्यज्य गोकुलम् ॥
कृष्ण कृष्णेति ते सर्वे गोविन्दं शरणं ययुः । भगवानपि तद्वीक्ष्य गोकुलं भयविद्रुतम् ॥
मा भैष्टेति गिराऽऽश्वास्य वृषासुरमुपाह्वयत् । गोपालैः पशुभिर्मन्द त्रासितैः किमसत्तम ॥
T: Seeing such a devilish bull, the Gopis and Gopas were terrified. The cows began to flee Gokula. Rushing to Sri Krishna with cries for help, they were assured by Sri Krishna not to panic and that he would deal with the matter. He approached the bull and asked, "You devilish fellow! What's your game terrifying these poor cowherds and cows!? Come and face me!"
With his menacing horns that looked like Indra's Vajra, the bull dug his hooves fiercely, swished his tail in the air, scattering clouds, and charged at Sri Krishna. Sri Krishna caught him by the horns and cast him back six paces. Arishta was now agitated and confused, and again rushed at Sri Krishna, dripping sweat. This time Sri Krishna grabbed his horns, threw him to the ground and thrashed him like a pile of clothes for the wash, with the same horns he plucked out of Aristha's head. The demon vomited blood and gave up his life.
All the Gopas and Gopis, the cows and bulls, felt most relieved and celebrated Sri Krishna's valour. The celestials showered flowers. King Nanda was also very pleased.
A short time later, Sage Narada, revered by everyone in the three worlds, came to see King Kamsa in Mathura. He told Kamsa something shocking.
अरिष्टे निहते दैत्ये कृष्णेनाद्भुतकर्मणा । कंसायाथाह भगवान् नारदो देवदर्शनः ॥
यशोदायाः सुतां कन्यां देवक्याः कृष्णमेव च । रामं च रोहिणीपुत्रं वसुदेवेन बिभ्यता ॥
न्यस्तौ स्वमित्रे नन्दे वै याभ्यां ते पुरुषा हताः । निशम्य तद्भोजपतिः कोपात्प्रचलितेन्द्रियः ॥
T: Sage Narada, revered among gods, soon after Aristha's slaying by the powerful Sri Krishna, approached Kamsa in his court. He said gravely, " Kamsa, the one known as Yashoda's son Krishna is indeed Devaki's own son! Also, Balarama is Rohini's son. Fearing you, Vasudeva has taken and placed Sri Krishna at birth in Nanda's home. All those associates you sent to Gokula have been slain by these two - Balarama and Sri Krishna!" Hearing this, Kamsa went into a frenzy of rage.
He picked up his sword, ready to go and murder Vasudeva. Narada stopped him, saying there was no danger at all from Vasudeva and indeed, Kamsa's end would come from these two boys.
Kamsa arranged at once to imprison Vasudeva and Devaki again in iron chains. He called his Asura associate Keshi and asked him to go and murder Krishna and Balarama. Soon after Keshi left, Kamsa called his prize fighters Mushtika and Chanura and others. He also called his ministers and animal trainers.
नन्दव्रजे किलासाते सुतावानकदुन्दुभेः । रामकृष्णौ ततो मह्यं मृत्युः किल निदर्शितः ॥
भवद्भ्यामिह सम्प्राप्तौ हन्येतां मल्ललीलया । मञ्चाः क्रियन्तां विविधा मल्लरङ्गपरिश्रिताः ।
पौरा जानपदाः सर्वे पश्यन्तु स्वैरसंयुगम् ॥
T: "Vasudeva's two sons are in Nanda's home. Balarama and Krishna are touted to be the ones to kill me. Let's find a way to bring them here. You shall kill them by arranging wrestling matches. Set up competitions and stages for this. Send out announcements for a wrestling tournament. Let all the people come and witness this splendid spectacle of gore!"
"Look, oh Mahout in charge of our deadly tusker Kuvalayapeeda! Place him right at the main gate. Set him upon my two enemies just as they enter the gate! Let him kill them!"
"And set up several sacrifices, and slaughter splendid animals to propitiate Bhutaraja Shiva!"
Now Kamsa sent for Akrura, his minister. Akrura was a fine member of the royal family of Yadus. Clasping his hands, Kamsa said:
"Dear Akrura, you are one of the noblest among Yadus and Vrishnis, and my most trusted man. Here is a mission I want you to accomplish as my friend. I am like Maha Vishnu taking a favour from Indra when I ask you this. "
"Please go without delay, and bring Nanda's two sons, Balarama and Krishna, over. They are said by the gods to be my nemesis. Also bring Nanda and many Gopas, who shall carry plentiful offerings to me. "
"I have arranged that the boys will be killed immediately upon their arrival by the tusker Kuvalayapeeda. If they do somehow survive, I have arranged for the prize fighters Mushtika and Chanura to kill them in bouts. When Vasudeva, the Yadus and Vrishnis are then plunged into utter grief, I shall, with my own hands, execute them. I shall kill my aged father and uncle, too! Then this world will be rid of my enemies! My wellwisher and father-in-law, the mighty Jarasandha, the Vanara king Dvivida, and all the Asuras like Shambara, Naraka, and Bana, will then cherish my alliance! All the kings with allegiance to the gods will be destroyed by me and I shall rule fearlessly and in utter contentment!"
"Akrura, I have confided all my plans. Will you now go at once and bring Balarama and Krishna!? Tell them you shall give them a fine tour of the splendid Capital, Mathura!"
अक्रूर उवाच
राजन् मनीषितं सध्र्यक् तव स्वावद्यमार्जनम् । सिद्ध्यसिद्ध्योः समं कुर्याद्दैवं हि फलसाधनम् ॥
मनोरथान् करोत्युच्चैर्जनो दैवहतानपि । युज्यते हर्षशोकाभ्यां तथाप्याज्ञां करोमि ते ॥
T: Akrura replied: Oh, King! Your efforts to ward off troubles are noteworthy. However, one should be composed in the face of success and failure since the results of our actions are decided by Destiny. Man's biggest plans and stratagems are sometimes dashed to dust by Fate. Man is unable to accept the effects of Prarabdha Karma. In any case, I shall do as you have ordered."
All the ministers and others in Kamsa's assembly dispersed afterwards.
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॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥
