Garga Bhagavatham : Sri Mathura khanda - Chapter 1

   

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Influenced by the words of sage Narada, Kamsa arrests Vasudeva and Devaki considering Sri Krishna and Balaram as his enemies; Kamsa begins his attempts to kill the two brothers and sends Akrura to Vraj to bring them to Mathura 

vasudeva sutam devam kamsa chaaNuura mardhanam

devaki paramanandam krisnNam vande jagatgurum

I offer my salutations to that supreme Guru of the world, Sri Krishna, who has appeared as the son of Devaki and Vasudeva, who slayed Kamsa and ChaaNura,  and who is the source of the supreme bliss to Mother Devaki 

King Bahulashwa asked:- Oh Sage! What pastimes did the Lord perform in Mathura? Why and how did he slay Kamsa? Please explain these things to me proper detail.

 

Sri  Narada says:- Oh King! One day, inspired by Sri Hari Himself and enthused to catalyze the slaying of all the demons by Sri Hari, I proceeded to the city of Mathura. I went to the court of King Kamsa.  Kamsa was seated on the throne, which he had snatched from Indra. The beautiful throne had a silver umbrella over it and Kamsa was being fanned by attendants on the both sides. Because of his strength, valor and cruelty he looked as terrible as the king of serpents, Nagaraja. When I arrived, he welcomed me with proper worship and rituals. Listen to what I said to him, "Oh King of Mathura! The girl who escaped from your hands and flew into the sky, was not the daughter of Devaki. She was indeed the daughter of Mother Yashoda. The one who appeared from Devaki is Sri Krishna and Sri Balaram is the son of Mother Rohini. In his enmity towards you, Vasudeva has given his sons, Sri Krishna and Sri Balarama to his friend Nanda for safe-keeping, so that they can remain shielded from you. All the terrible and invincible demons, starting from Pootana to Arishtasura were all slain by the same duo in the forest. It is said that the duo is your death personified!"

            Upon hearing my words, the king of Bhoja, Kamsa started shaking with anger! Right there, he pulled out his sword to kill, Vasudeva, the son of Shura, but I stopped him. Even then, he got Vasudeva along his wife Devaki bound by heavy chains and threw them into the prison. After I spoke to Kamsa and left, he sent demon Keshi to kill Sri Krishna and Balarama. Thereafter, the mighty king of Bhoja, Kamsa, called upon Chanura and other wrestlers, the caretaker of the elephant, Kuvalayapeeda, and all his important statesmen and  and had a meeting with all of them.

 

Kamsa said:- Oh Koota! Oh Toshala! Oh mighty Chanura!  Sage Narada has made it amply clear to me that Krishna and Balarama are my death personified. Therefore when they arrive here, invite them to a wrestling match and kill them. Make haste and decorate the wrestling arena.  Oh Caretaker of Kuvalayapeeda! Deploy the maddened elephant, Kuvalayapeeda at the entrance of the palace and finish my enemies the moment they enter. Oh Statesmen! There will be a Dhanur yagya (ritual sacrifice) on the upcoming Chaturdashi (14th day of the fortnight) and on  the following new moon day (amavasya), a wrestling match will be conducted.     

 

Sri Narada says:- King! After addressing his statesmen thus, he immediately called his minister Akrura and spoke sweet words to him in order to please him.

 

Kamsa said:- Oh generous one! You are worthy of respect, therefore please listen to my noble words. At the break of dawn tomorrow, please do me the favor of going to the land of Vraja belonging to Nanda. People say that the two sons of Vasudeva reside there. Sage Narada has explained to me in no uncertain terms that those two are my sworn enemies. Please take presents for Nanda and other cowherds and bring them on a chariot to Mathura along with the two boys, on the pretext of showing them the city. Upon their arrival, I will have the two boys killed with either my elephants or my mighty wrestlers. Soon after, I will ensure the death of chief king Nanda, the nine other Nandas and Upanandas, Vrishabhanuvar, and all others who assisted Vasudeva.  After that, I will undoubtedly kill all Yadavas. Oh Minister! These are all demigods who have appeared in human form. My dear friends Bhootasantaapana, Hrushta, Vruka, Sankara, Kaalanaabha, Mahaanaabha and Harishmashru are ever-ready to lay down their lives for me. Jaraasandha is after all my father-in-law and Dvividha, my dear friend.  Baanasura and Narakasura are both affiliated with me. Undoubtedly, the aforementioned will rule the three worlds, after winning over the Earth and capturing all the demigods including Indra. Oh generous one! Among poets and scholars, you are comparable to Shukracharya. In oratory skills, you are akin to Brihaspati. Please complete this task immediately.

Akrura said:- Oh king of Yadus! You have conjured up on entire ocean of desires. If there is divine will, this ocean will be turned into a mere pit of water. If there is no divine will, this will remain an ocean.    

Kamsa said:- Strong men do not depend on God. They promptly do the needful. Only the weak cling on to their faith in God. By the influence of Sri Hari, who is the personification of time, a Karma yogi (duty bounded person) remains calm. 

Sri Narada says:- After speaking thus to this esteemed minister, Akrura, Kamsa got up from the assembly. Somewhat angered by the conversation, he slowly walked into his private chambers. 

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