THE DESTRUCTION OF KANSA.

Kansa, the king of Mathura, alarmed by a voice from heaven, that

Krishna, the son of his sister, predestined to destroy him, has escaped

the precautions taken against him, consults with his minister what he

shall do.

The juvenile Krishna performs many exploits. He accomplishes the

destruction of the demon Kesi, one of those infernal beings who in vain

attempted to kill the divine child, instigated by their prescience of

their fate when he should reach maturity.

Akrura, the paternal uncle of Krishna, repairs to Gokul to invite his

nephew to Mathura. Balarama and Krishna, after bowing to their foster

parents, Nanda and Yasoda and receiving their benedictions, depart for

Mathura.

The seniors then express their grief for their loss. While the boys are

proceeding on their journey, they are overtaken by a messenger from

Radha, in consequence of which Krishna determines to spend some time at

Vrindavan. They resume their journey to Mathura. On the way, the youths

kill the royal elephant of Kansa. Then they defeat and slay Kansa's two

wrestlers Chanura and Mushtika. These occurrences are reported to Kansa.

The youths now reach his palace at Mathura and slay him. The boys are

then re-united with their mortal parents Vasudeva and Devaki. To console

Devaki for her brother's death, Krishna installs her father Ugrasena in

the sovereignty of Mathura.

Tales from the Hindu Dramatists · 第 66 / 143 题