Stories From The Bhagavatham - Krishna Avatar - Vatsasur and Bakasur

 

Worried about the misfortune circling little Krishna and the kids, the elders of Gokul decided to leave the village and migrate to Brindavan, a cozy village nestled under the great Govardhan mountain range. The river Yamuna flowed nearby and the land was fertile. The people of Gokul soon settled here and lived a comfortable life.

However, Krishna’s tryst with the Asuras didn’t end even after shifting places. Now that he was growing up, Kamsa sent more vicious Asuras to defeat and kill him.

One day, Balaram and Krishna were playing by the banks of the Yamuna river, their cows grazing there. Unknown to them, an Asura named Vatsa took the form of a calf and quietly joined the herd in grazing. However, nothing can escape the notice of Krishna, He who has His sights on the entire universe. Krishna noticed the new calf and realized that this was no ordinary cow but an Asura in disguise. He stealthily informed Balarama about the Asura, not wanting to spread panic among the other kids. Both the brothers acted as if nothing was wrong. Krishna silently approached the Asura and grabbed him by his hind legs. Whirling him round and round, Krishna dashed him to the ground, instantly killing him. Rejoicing in the death of another evil Asura, the heavens showered flowers on Krishna and the other kids who watched all this in silent amazement.

Another time, the kids were drinking water from the Yamuna river and feeding the same to the cows. When they came out of the river to the banks, they found a gigantic and horrific bird, a species they had never seen before. On closer inspection, they realized that it was a crane. Before they could blink, the huge bird rose and in a single movement, swallowed Krishna right before their eyes.

The crane was none other than Baka, another Asura sent by Kamsa to kill Krishna.

The kids stood in silent shock. One second Krishna had been there amidst them, and the next second, he was gone. The crane, in the meanwhile, was having his own problems. It felt like a ball of fire was travelling inside his body. Unable to bear the heat, the Asura retched and spat Krishna out of his body.

The Asura was not going to give up. He tried to attack Krishna, pecking him with his enormous beak. Krishna ran here and there and then stood at one place, waiting for Baka to approach him. When the Asura came near Krishna, the later took hold of his beak and split it into two, killing the Asura.

The other kids cheered for Krishna and when they went home, they eagerly told their parents about Krishna’s fight with the Asuras. The simple and naïve villagers prayed to Lord Narayana, wondering how, by His grace, those who came to kill Krishna were themselves killed mysteriously.

Blessed Nanda, father of Krishna thought to himself in satisfaction. Garga Muni was correct. My son will indeed carve out an irreplaceable name for himself in the world.

Salutations to the one and only Krishna, savior of Gokul and of Brindavan.

Om Namo Narayana! Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaaya!