Nilanjana recounts the tale of a backup plan of Kamsa, aimed at killing Krishna and Balarama, in the weekly column, exclusively for Different Truths.

Sukha smiled, “Now Kamsa began to call all his ministers and keep backup plan ready. He called Mushtika, Chanura, Shala, and Toshala. He also summoned his mahout (elephant trainer).”

Parikshit observed, “So many of them?”

Sukha continued, “Yes, they all were given specific duties. He gave them a pep-talk and told them that he needed their help. They are all famed wrestlers and could easily kill Balarama and Krishna since these two were supposed to kill Kamsa. They will orchestrate wrestling bouts of famed wrestlers against these two cowherds. The whole city will be called. But naturally, the cowherds will be over-powered. The elephant called Kuvalayapida was also called to trample these two boys under his huge legs.

Now, Kamsa called Akrura and humbly pleaded with him to get Balarama and Krishna to Mathura. He informed Akrura that the two sons of Nanda are actually the sons of Vasudeva and Devaki and they have taken birth to kill Kamsa. In an attempt to save himself, he wished to kill them two beforehand.  He requested Akrura to bring Nanda and the whole Gopala clan. He would eventually be punishing them too.

Akrura wished to know Kamsa’s plans for further details. Kamsa happily obliged and explained that at first, he will get Balarama and Krishna to meet the elephant Kuvalayapida, who will crush them. If they manage to escape then he will arrange for a wrestling match with the famed wrestlers. Once Balarama and Krishna meet their end, he will then get Vasudeva, the Gopalas and everybody who opposes him out of the way. He will then collaborate with his allies – Jarasandha (the king of Magadha and his father-in-law), Dvividha, Shambara, Naraka and Bana – and become the undisputed ruler of the world.

Kamsa requested Akrura to go to Vrindavan and fetch Balarama and Krishna. 

Akrura thought for a while and requested Kamsa to listen to his thoughts. He expressed his gratitude to Kamsa for speaking out his plans and showing faith in him. He also appreciated Kamsa on the backup plans that he has made. Meanwhile, he said he wished to remind Kamsa that while human beings are free to make their plans and choose what they wish to do, the success or the failure of the plan is dependent on divine will. The mind keeps on making plans but victory may elude him if the gods don’t agree to the plan. Besides, if the gods have decided to destroy someone, no amount of backup plan can work. He requested Kamsa to just dwell on his words if he wished to. Meanwhile, as an employee of Kamsa, he agreed to go to Vrindavan and fetch Balarama and Krishna to Mathura…”

 (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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