Oh, grand was the sight of Love, crushing out Hate from the land, and
the Gods sang and shouted and crowded together to see Sin conquered and
Virtue grow strong!
Yasodā and Nanda, with the Gopas and Gopis maddened with delight, took
Krishna home, while the heavens opened and scattered flowers to carpet
His path.
And forever the lake was free from the venom the serpent had cast, and
the near-by atmosphere purified was from the pestilent influence that
hovered about there. For the monster at Krishna's command had departed
and sought no more to injure the land.
But so great was the happiness that overflowed the heart of all, in
leading the boy triumphant through the forest, that they tarried awhile
in the glow of the moon, in their joy to behold the beauty that filled
the night.
But far in the distance a light was seen that spread wider and broader
its glow, and higher its flame leapt, and every second nearer and nearer
yet it came, like a living sheet of fire.
And so it was. A castor plantation a burning world had become and
quickly surrounded the merrymakers, who held in their midst the joy of
their hour, and they cried in a fright: "O Krishna, Thou Child—or God,
whatever Thou art, protect us from this death in this roaring flame. We
care not for our lives, O Krishna, for they are thine by our love for
Thee, but oh, the anguish the parting would mean—to die and not see Thy
face again! Oh Thou, who by Thy strength dost slay the Asuras and drive
from the land the serpent all powerful, save us from this, the parting
with Thee and Thy loved companion Rāma, he that is most like Thee. O
Most Lovely One, deliver us, we pray!"
Light as a leaf in the wind the Boy bounded to meet the coming flames.
For a moment He stood in the seething sea of fire and lifted His hand on
high, and lo, the fire was not—but the flames were seen to enter His
mouth!
And again, with dancing and singing praise to the Boy, they made for His
home with joy and delight.