Nilanjana recounts a rale from the Bhagavatam about how Krishna broke the great bow of Kamsa. His men tried to catch Balarama and Krishna but they both took up a piece of the broken bow and beat up their assailants. Kamsa was worried, says the author, in the weekly column, exclusively for Different Truths.

“So the village boys were enjoying every bit in Mathura,” Parikshit observed with a smile on his face.

“Yes, but they did not get lost in the new world. They remembered the purpose of their visit,” Sukha said. While they walked around the city enjoying every new sight, sound, and smell, they knew that they were not mere visitors who were here for sight-seeing. They kept on asking people about the location of Ayudhashala where the great bow was kept. Finally, they reached Ayudhashala and saw with amazement the great bow that was guarded by Kamsa’s men. It looked like the rainbow and was scheduled to be worshipped the next morning.

Krishna went to the great bow and tried to lift it. The guards tried to stop him but, as usual, he did not pay any heed to their warning. As people were watching him, he lifted the bow casually with his left hand. Then he tightened the bowstring. He went on bending the bow and suddenly there was a big noise like a thunderbolt. The great bow was broken!

Kamsa heard the sound from his castle. When he was informed about what had happened, he was angry. His men tried to catch Balarama and Krishna but they both took up a piece of the broken bow and beat up their assailants.

Meanwhile, Kamsa’s army was asked to go and teach the Vrindavan boys a lesson. Both the brothers easily destroyed the army as well. Then they casually went back to their sight-seeing around Mathura.

The citizens of Mathura had, by now, gathered in the streets and were cheering up the boys. However, they were cautious since they were aware that Kamsa may not like his people taking sides of his opponent. As the sun set, Balarama and Krishna went back to the palace gardens where they were staying put.

Kamsa, however, could not sleep the whole night. He was obsessed with Devaki’s eighth-born. Now the child was in his city and had broken the great bow.  He knew that his washerman was killed and Trivakra had been completely healed.  He did not want to believe in these miracles. He tossed and turned around in his bed as nightmares kept him awake. His hatred for divinity, manifested in the form of Krishna, made him very restless. He recalled his whole life that night, remembered the prophecy and the night was perhaps the longest night of his life.

Eventually, he thought he found a solution. He had great faith in his wrestlers, Mustika and Chanura. Even the elephant Kuvalayapida was very powerful. He consoled himself that they would definitely be able to put an end to Krishna’s joyride…”

 (To be continued)

Footnote: Srimad Bhagavatam is often called the Bhagavad Purana. Authored by Ved Vyasa, the stories are about the various avatars (incarnations) of Lord Vishnu, also known as Narayana. These stories are narrated by Ved Vyasa’s son Sukhadeva to King Parikshit.

©Nilanjana Dey

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Nilanjana Dey

A story-teller at heart, Nilanjana Dey is on a journey to experiment with fiction and poetry. Her first novel, largely aimed towards children, is titled ‘The Adventures of Puti – The Cheese Trail’. Her poems have been published at various prestigious portals. An alumni of English Literature from Jadavpur University (Kolkata), she is a marketing and communication professional based in Mumbai. She volunteers with a Mumbai based NGO working with the marginalised sections of the society.

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