Kanhaland

Krishna storybook · Chapter 7:Back to Mathura

Kamsa’s plan

Wicked King Kamsa found out the two cowherd boys were Devaki’s sons, and sent Akrura to bring them to Mathura.

But Kamsa didn’t know one thing: Akrura was a devotee of Krishna!

Tell me more

Kamsa planned a great festival, with a giant bow and his strongest wrestlers. It was the sage Narada who told Kamsa the secret. Narada knew that this would hurry Kamsa’s end and bring Krishna to Mathura to set His parents free, just as the Lord had planned.

Footprints in the dust

All the way to Vrindavan, Akrura thought, “Today I will see Krishna!”

When he saw Krishna’s footprints in the dust, he jumped down and rolled in them with joy!

Tell me more

The footprints were marked with a flag, a lotus and a thunderbolt. The soles of Krishna’s feet carry special marks, like a flag, a lotus, a thunderbolt and an elephant goad, so Akrura knew at once whose footprints they were. Krishna and Balarama welcomed him warmly, and Krishna embraced him like a dear uncle.

Goodbye, Vrindavan

Krishna and Balarama climbed into Akrura’s chariot, and Mother Yashoda and the gopis cried and cried.

Krishna looked back and promised, “I will come back.”

Tell me more

Nanda Baba and the cowherd men followed with carts full of butter and yogurt. The gopis stood watching until they could no longer see the flag of the chariot, or even the dust from its wheels. From that day on, they thought of Krishna every moment. The Bhagavatam says that their love for Him is the highest love of all.

Wave goodbye

The gopis threw flowers on the road behind the chariot.

Wave goodbye with them, and see what Krishna promises.

Akrura’s vision

Bathing in the Yamuna, Akrura saw Krishna and Balarama under the water, yet they were still in the chariot!

Then he saw Lord Vishnu there, resting on the serpent Ananta Sesha.

Tell me more

He looked up, then into the water again, and this time he saw the four-armed Lord. Krishna showed Akrura that the cowherd boy he loved is the same Lord who rests on Ananta Sesha and holds up the whole universe. Akrura offered beautiful prayers, then climbed back into the chariot, full of wonder.

Gifts in Mathura

In Mathura, a girl with a crooked back offered Krishna sweet sandalwood paste.

Krishna gently lifted her chin, and her back became straight and tall!

Tell me more

A poor garland maker gave Krishna and Balarama his best garlands, and Krishna blessed him to always be happy. Her name was Trivakra, which means “bent in three places”. She worked making sandalwood paste for Kamsa, but when she saw Krishna, she gave it to Him instead. Whatever is offered to Krishna with love, He returns many times over.

CRACK!

The great bow

In the festival hall stood a giant bow that no one could lift.

Krishna picked it up with one hand and CRACK! It broke in two, and Kamsa shook with fear.

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The wrestling arena

Kamsa’s strongest wrestlers rushed at Krishna and Balarama, but the boys beat them easily.

Everyone saw Krishna differently: the wrestlers saw a thunderbolt, and His parents saw their dear child.

Tell me more

The people of Mathura saw the most beautiful boys. The wrestlers were Chanura and Mushtika. At the gate, Kamsa had also placed a huge elephant to stop them, but Krishna stopped the elephant first. The Bhagavatam lists ten ways that different people saw Krishna in the arena. Kamsa, afraid, saw Him as death. Each saw Him according to what was in their heart.

Free at last

Krishna pulled Kamsa down from his high seat, and Kamsa’s wicked reign was over.

Then He broke His parents’ chains and bowed at their feet.

Tell me more

His parents were Vasudeva and Devaki. Kamsa had thought about Krishna day and night, only out of fear. Even so, because he thought of Krishna so much, he was liberated. That is how merciful Krishna is! Krishna then made Kamsa’s good father, Ugrasena, king again.

What we learn

  • Remembering Krishna makes every journey sweet.
  • Whatever we offer Krishna with love, He returns many times over.
  • A heart full of love sees Krishna as its dearest friend.

Did you like this story? Say “Hare Krishna!” out loud.

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Retold from Srimad-Bhagavatam, Canto 10, chapters 36–44. Placeholder pictures only.

All chapters of the Krishna storybook