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| KRISHNA CARRYING THE GOVARDHAN
IN HIS LITTLE FINGER |
Amongst the other exploits of Krishna during those days is one concerning Indra,
a very powerful god during early Vedic period but later reduced only as a chief
of smaller gods. Jealous of Krishna's fame, Indra being
the king of skies, called upon clouds to rain down in torrents at Brindavana. Facing the unbearable downpour
from above the cowherds and other people of the region appealed to Krishna for
relief. Fully alive to the situation, Krishna calmed their
fears and raised the Govardhan hill overhead with support of his little finger. Indra himself poured
torrential rains for seven days but Brajbhumi's people remained dry under the
shelter of the Govardhan hill. Indra was compelled to relent
and admitted that in the shape of Krishna Lord Vishnu had himself appeared on
the earth. He was
pardoned and returned to his kingdom of heavens.
Notwithstanding all these pranks, feats and frivolous deeds of Krishna, the real
reason for his birth was that of ridding this earth of the vicious tyrant Kansa.
King Kansa in his search for the child who was destined to kill him slaughtered
many children. Krishna too had been subject to so many attacks but he survived
each one by his miraculous powers. One day, however, a
sage confided to Kansa that his true enemy was alive. Kansa in consultation with his councilor hatched
a plot to decoy both the brothers, Balarama and Krishna, to Mathura. A special
festival of armed combat was proclaimed. It was rightly anticipated that the
two brothers would be coming with other cowherds. When they came the wrestlers
of the king would throw them down and kill them.
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| AKRUR MEETING WITH NANDA AND ASKING HIS PERMISSION
TO TAKE KRISHNA AND BALARAMA TO MATHURA |
Kansa sent for Akrur, the chief of Yadavas and leading member
of his court. He
briefed Akrur about his intentions and asked him to bring Krishna and Balarama
with Nanda's permission without mentioning the plot to kill Balarama and Krishna.
Akrur was a good man and he agreed to go, overjoyed at the
thought of meeting the Lord. He reached Vrindavana and revealed to Nanda the intentions of Kansa
and asked his permission to take Krishna and Balrama with him to Mathura. Nanda
refused but on the insistance of Krishna agreed to send him to Mathura together
with his brother Balarama.
King Kansa had arranged for a wrestling match and of other feats of strength.
Arena for the competition was richly decorated and citizens from Mathura and
nearby villages had thronged to witness the events. When Krishna and Balarama
reached Mathura with Akrur, the whole city thronged to have a look at the two
brothers, whose reputation had run much in advance to the city of Mathura. Krishna
was denied access by stationing a ferocious elephant at the gate. Krishna killed
the beast and entered the area carrying the tusks in his hands. King Kansa conveyed
to them that hearing the tales of their valor he wanted to witness their feats
of strength.
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