The stories about KRISNA’s childhood are very interesting. One day a well-dressed, beautiful woman came Gokula. She was all smiles, she began to feed the child at her breast. This woman was in fact Poothani, a wicked woman sent by Kamsa to kill KRISNA. Her milk was poisonous. but KRISNA smilingly sucked the milk from her breast and killed her by sucking out her life.
Kamsa sent two more rakshasas Trinavartha and Shakatasura. KRISNA killed them, too.
It is said a number of such incidents foretold the future greatness of KRISNA.
Kamsa was powerful and wicked. His persecution trouble Nanda and he was filled with fear. The gopa- the cowherd- decided to leave Gokula. They migrated to Brindavan. Brindavan soon developed into a township. KRISNA and his friends were delighted. The woods, the banks of the Yamuna, the valleys and the fields echoed and re-echoed with their loud shouts and gay laughter. Vasudeva had another wife Rohini by name; she was living in Gokula. She had a son, Balarama, who was older than KRISNA. Their mischief and their laughter filled all Brindavan.
One day the cowherd boys drank the water of a lake. At once they fell down dead. This was because of a huge serpent in the lake, which had poisoned the water. KRISNA decided to put an end to this danger. The huge serpent tried to coil itself round him, but KRISNA caught hold of its tail and stepped on its hood.Theserpent struggled and tried to bite him: but KRISNA pressed down its hood harder and the serpent was helpless. KRISNA then let it go and the serpent left the lake. Every one rejoiced at the departure of the serpent.
The cowherd boys were a big crowd. KRISNA was their leader. They played and sang, they dance and swan, as he bade them. They played gaily in the woods, and swam in every lake.
The Darling Child Of Yashoda
The Darling Child Of Yashoda So Krishna won the love of every one and proved a born leader. But to Yashoda he was her darling little child. Some times when he was too naughty the gopies complained to Yashoda, and she punished him, too, before his mother he looked like an innocent little child. There is a very interesting story about the boy Krishna. One day Balarama rushed to Yashoda: he said: "Mother! Krishna is eating mud. His body is all covered with mud and his mouth is full of it." Just then the lovely child came up. His face and body were covered with mud. Yashoda began to question the boy, "You naughty fellow! Haven’t you had enough butter at home? Do you eat mud?" With a wry face Krishna lisped: "Oh no, mother! Brother is uttering a lie. I have not touched mud at all." Yashoda said angrily, "Enough! Open your mouth." Krishna opened his mouth. Yashoda looked. She was startled and could only exclaim ‘Ah!’
She did not see mud in Krishna's mouth. But she saw all the worlds! As she looked she was dazed. She was terrified and folded her hands and closed her eyes. When she opened her eyes she saw the laughing little child before her. She forgot all she had seen. She, too, laughed and Swept the child into her arms. And Krishna laughed as if he knew nothing.
The Slaying Of Kamsa
Here in 'Mathura, Kamsa was beginning to feel more and more alarmed. Keshi, another rakshasa whom he sent, was also killed. Kamsa threw Vasudeva and Devaki into the prison and planned to invite Krishna to Mathura and kill him there. He, therefore, sent his cousin Akrura to Brindavan to bring Krishna. Akrura was a great devotee of Krishna. He told Krishna of Kamsa's evil intentions. Krishna rejoiced. He said, "Let us all go to Mathura." With him went Akrura, Balarama, Nanda and some other gopalakas. The news of the visit of Krishna spread in Mathura. So everywhere there was curiosity, excitement and joy.
As Krishna and Balarama were approaching the palace a big elephant of the name Kuvalayapida rushed towards Krishna. Kamsa had deliberately stationed the elephant there to kill Krishna. Krishna cut off the trunk. The huge animal fell down and died. As the brothers approached Kamsa's court two wrestlers, Mushtika and Chanura by name, stepped forward. They were famous all over the country for their wrestling. They were very strong.
The spectators were filled with pity and murmured, "Poor boys! What can they do against these rocklike? Wrestlers!" Krishna took on Chanura and Balarama took on Mushtika. And the two wrestlers were killed. When he saw his two formidable wrestlers killed by the boys, Kamsa was bewildered and filled with fear. Krishna pounced on Kamsa, caught hold of his hair and pushed him to the ground. Kamsa tried to get up to save himself. He tried to fight. But Krishna killed him. The people of Mathura sighed in relief. They celebrated Krishna's victory with great joy because Kamsa had been a tyrant. Krishna did not ascend the throne, but crowned Ugrasena, his grandfather.
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