A story · Krishna Lilas · Gokula

The Move to Vrindavana and the Slaying of the Calf Demon and the Crane

Bhagavata Purana 10.11 · read aloud in the app

The story · English

A loud crashing sound echoed through the village, and the cowherds, including Nanda, rushed toward the noise, fearing some disaster. There they found two great Arjuna trees fallen to the ground, and the young Krishna, still tied by a rope to a heavy wooden mortar, dragging it behind him. The children said the boy had pulled the trees down, dragging the mortar until it wedged between them, and that two men had come out of the trees. The elders would not believe it, but Nanda laughed and quickly freed his son. For a while, Krishna played the part of a child, dancing to the rhythm of the gopis' songs or acting like a wooden puppet. When told, he fetched a stool, a measure or sandals, and flexed his arms to amuse his elders, delighting all of Vraja.

One day, Krishna approached a fruit-seller and asked for fruit in exchange for a handful of grain. The generous woman, charmed by the boy, filled his small palms, from which the grain had spilled, with the finest fruits, and her own basket became full of jewels. Later, Rohini called out to Krishna and Balarāma to come home from their playing. When the boys didn't respond, she sent Yasoda to fetch them. Yasoda found them covered in dust and told Krishna, 'My lotus-eyed son, come and nurse. You must be hungry and tired from your play.' She also urged Balarāma to return, since he had eaten early that morning and should eat now, as the master of Vraja was waiting for him.

Despite the joy, the elders of Vraja were troubled by the strange events occurring around the children. A cowherd named Upananda, who was wise in the ways of the world, warned Nanda and the others. 'We must leave Gokula,' he urged. 'This boy was barely saved from the demoness, the overturned cart, the whirlwind demon and the falling trees, and more calamities will come to harm the children. Let us go today to the lush forest of Vrindavana, known for its sacred hills and fresh grass. Yoke the carts at once.' The cowherds agreed. They packed their wagons, gathered their families, and drove their cattle forward with the sounding of great trumpets, leaving Gokula behind for the beauty of Vrindavana.

In Vrindavana, Krishna and Balarāma grew into spirited boys. They spent their days tending to the calves, playing flutes, and mimicking the sounds of animals. One day, while grazing the calves near the Yamunā river, a demon disguised as a calf approached them. Krishna pointed it out to Balarāma and walked up slowly, as if he suspected nothing. Then he seized the demon by its hind legs and tail, whirled it round and flung it, already lifeless, into the top of a Kapittha tree, and the huge body fell, bringing the trees down with it. The other boys were left in awe, and the gods in heaven showered the scene with flowers. The two brothers continued their lives as cowherds, happily caring for the calves of the village.

Later, while leading the calves to a watering hole, the boys encountered a massive crane demon named Bakasura, who looked like a jagged piece of a mountain. Without warning, the crane opened its sharp beak and swallowed Krishna whole. Balarāma and the other children were frozen in terror, thinking Krishna was gone. However, Krishna began to heat the demon's throat like a fire. Bakasura, unable to bear the heat, spat Krishna out. As the demon tried to strike again, Krishna grabbed the bird's beak with his hands and tore it apart. The children embraced Krishna in relief, and the people of Vraja marveled that the boy had once again escaped death, just as the sage Garga had predicted.

कथा · हिन्दी

In this book

• Before: The Liberation of the Arjuna Trees · Bhagavata Purana 10.10
• All of Krishna Lilas · Ask Krishna about it

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